No Student Loans to do an MA for over 60s

bargainbucketboy

Hi, I’m 62, in receipt of UC and have just been offered a place at the RCA to do a Photography MA. Looking at Student Loans England, they say that over 60s can get a loan for undergraduate study but not for postgraduate (i.e. MA). Gobsmacked! How is this fair? Tried looking at scholarships and bursaries, but a mind field and nothing looks like I qualify. Are there any groups campaigning for this injustice or anyone got any ideas where I can look for funding? Thanks 

sammyjammy

To you it's in an justice to me its sensible policy.

bargainbucketboy

Moving on… What doesn’t make sense to me is this: You can get a three year loan if you’re over 60 to do a degree, but you can’t get a one year loan if you’re over 60 to do an MA. Can anyone from this Government explain the ‘thinking’ behind this? I’m assuming that I have not misunderstood this on SFE website? Surely the ability to repay is no different? Generally, people are living longer and more than capable of contributing and enriching society. Thanks 

DullGreyGuy

Ultimately it spending tax payers money and so the government is broadly free to set what rules it wants on these things. 

Whilst the difference in approach to undergraduate and postgraduate doesn't have an immediately obvious rational the result of any campaign may be to harmonise them by taking away undergraduate funding for the over 60s as representing poor value for money for tax payers and better spent on more NHS dentists etc. 

I could see there is potentially more demand for post-grad in the age group, recently retired, wanting to do something with your new found time and so signing up to a 1-2 year course sounds fun. A 3-4 year commitment is much more for an undergrad and if you already have been to uni then you are rarely entitled to further funding on a second undergrad 

Brie

I can see how this might look unfair but there's lots of things the government restricts by age legally.  No driving before a certain age, having to reapply for a driving licence after a certain age, all those things associated with the state pension, or when you can take a private pension.  

Have you checked if you've got any industry/ethnic/religious connections to anything that might offer financial support?  Thinking ex-military, family been in banking, etc.

silvercar

What makes it doubly unfair is that the funding wasn’t available when you were 59, so it’s not like you could have applied a couple of years ago.

bargainbucketboy

Touché! But think both spellings apply! 😉

Back to the serious point of funding…

Is there anyone out there who might have an idea of something that I could try? I have this amazing opportunity, I’ve really worked hard for and desperately want to do. I’ve looked at bursaries and sponsorships and don’t seem to qualify for one reason or another. I’ve started a GoFundMe account and even put an ad in EyeNeed (Private Eye).
Thanks

silvercar

bargainbucketboy said:

Touché! But think both spellings apply! 😉

Back to the serious point of funding…

Is there anyone out there who might have an idea of something that I could try? I have this amazing opportunity, I’ve really worked hard for and desperately want to do. I’ve looked at bursaries and sponsorships and don’t seem to qualify for one reason or another. I’ve started a GoFundMe account and even put an ad in EyeNeed (Private Eye).
Thanks

Could you get company sponsorship? Would it lead to better employment opportunities? Would someone you know be prepared to loan you funds? Maybe the institution has some ideas. Do they offer paying by instalment?

bargainbucketboy

Thanks… I am looking into all of the above. No luck so far though. The RCA don’t offer pay by instalments or help with fundraising unfortunately. Be nice if a wealthy patron was interested in helping out.