Funding An Access Course?Hi,

Titch89

Hi,

I September I'm due to start an access course. On Friday, I went to an interview and got asked if I received any benefits and I said only received DLA (which doesn't count) and that I dfon't work due to ill health. (I have photophobia, nystgamus, squint and have about 40% sight left)

I've been told that I'm not entitled to any help with the cost of the course and have to fund it myself. Is there any sort of funding I can get? I've been told I can get Adult Learning Grant, but that's paid weekly and I'm not sure if I'd be able to use that, because I'll only get it when I'mn studying.

lilysgarden

To be honest, I don't think there is any help you can get. When I started my access course, I was concerned that working and studying full time would be too much and that I may have to quit my job in order to complete my studies. I asked the job centre who basically said tough poop! I wouldn't even be able to claim job seekers if I quit working in order to study to re-train and do a job the Government is desperately trying to fill! I would definately talk to a benefits advisor at the local council or CAB and see if they can recommend anything.

Also, with regards to the sight problems, try contacting the RNIB and see if they can provide any support or help. Also contact you Local Education Authority. A friend of mine at uni has sight problems and they pay for all of her books to be printed in large print, provide a printer and a laptop that she can increase the size of writing on. You'd also be entitled to extensions on all of your assignments. The student support office should be able to tell you more about this and may even be able to tell you what financial support there is.

Titch89

Thank you. I Spoke to student support today and they said they're going to try and get me a computer/laptop with a larer screen.

Gemmzie

How old are you and what previous qualifications have you got?

Titch89

I'm 19 (just) and have:
GCSEs - c- maths, science and GNVQ ICT
d - food technology & english
e - hitsory & religious education
I have an E in Foundations of Advanced Maths, E in AS Law & distinction in Child Care.

mummytofour

Normally if you dont have 5 GCSE grade C then you can get the course paid. But it depends on the College. I had this last yr, I didnt have the GCSES BUT I was too old to apply for funding from Chichester, so ending up at another college 25 miles away who provided the course for free. You are very young to be doing Access, most people on your course will be older, would A levels not be any good?
Most colleges have access to learning funds maybe you could apply for that? or is there anyway you can apply for income support in your own name? Im not sure how all that works, sorry.

Titch89

I can't claim income support, because according to the DWP, being partially sighted (in order to be partially sighted, vision has to be awful) isn't good enough reason not to work.

Originally, it was suggested that I do A Levels, but they do work out more expensive.

Oldernotwiser

mummytofour wrote: »

Normally if you dont have 5 GCSE grade C then you can get the course paid. But it depends on the College. I had this last yr, I didnt have the GCSES BUT I was too old to apply for funding from Chichester, so ending up at another college 25 miles away who provided the course for free. You are very young to be doing Access, most people on your course will be older, would A levels not be any good?
Most colleges have access to learning funds maybe you could apply for that? or is there anyway you can apply for income support in your own name? Im not sure how all that works, sorry.

GNVQ is a level 2 course, equivalent to 5 GCSEs. Unfortunately, eligibility for the level 3 entitlement is not uniform for Access course and varies from college to college.

Oldernotwiser

Titch89 wrote: »

I can't claim income support, because according to the DWP, being partially sighted (in order to be partially sighted, vision has to be awful) isn't good enough reason not to work.

Originally, it was suggested that I do A Levels, but they do work out more expensive.

Are you not eligible for JSA? As a means tested benefit you would be exempt from paying fees. You will have to go through the motions of being available for work and job hunting but you can usually manage this for the 10 months of an Access course.

Titch89

I can get JSA, but I am unable to work due to the way my illness affects me.

Oldernotwiser

If you were to sign on for JSA then you wouldn't have to pay your Access course fees. You would then have to tell the JCP that you'd give up the course if you find suitable employment and then, as I said before, go through the motions of being available for work and applying for vacancies. This is usually manageable for a year, particularly as there will be many jobs that you're not able to do.

I hope nobody feels that I'm encouraging benefit fraud by this advice but personally I feel that it's an acceptable way of manipulating the system.