Phd loan and universal credit

codanew

Hi, 
I receive universal credit and PIP due to a disability. I was offered a PhD but I would have to self fund it. I applied for the PhD loan which is £27265 over 4 years so £6816 per year. My tuition fees and fees for materials and software is £6200 per year. Universal credit have said they will have to take £2050 off me per year as it's classed as income. This has now meant I can't afford to study. I offered to send receipts to universal cred to prove where the money was going but they said there was no way around it. I'm gutted! My question is does anyone know of any other loans I could apply for to fund that £2050 universal credit would take?

Thanks 

Alice_Holt

Have you discussed any additional grants / bursaries with your Uni ?

Turn to Us grants  ? 
https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/


May be worth checking with these people:
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/helplines/disabled-students-helpline

To check that UC are correct (but see below), because this is a complex area DWP can make errors, and to see if they have any suggestions.

" Postgraduate students in receipt of a grant or loan (except for a UK government Master's or Doctoral Loan - see next paragraph) which could be a scholarship, or stipend will have any amount that is specifically paid for tuition fees ignored as income in the assessment of any means-tested welfare benefits. However, any amount of grant or loan paid for living costs will normally be treated as income. If you receive old style benefits such as Housing Benefit or Income Support, a fixed amount for books and equipment should also be ignored.

The Student Finance England Master's Loan and Doctoral Loan are treated as a contribution towards costs rather than a loan exclusively for tuition fees or living costs. 30% of the maximum Master's or Doctoral Loan is taken into account as income for your means-tested benefits. This is used as income even if you choose not to take a Master's Loan or Doctoral Loan where you are eligible. This amount will still be taken into account as income and will reduce your welfare benefits entitlement.

 A Welfare Adviser can advise you what income would be counted.  However if you are a parent or have a disability or ongoing health condition, you may also find it useful to read our web pages for student parents, and our advice guide Extra Money for Disability and Ill Health for more information about claiming benefits while studying. These guides include information about how student income is counted within the benefits assessments"

https://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/guides/welfare-benefits/