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Please help me, I don't know what to do. Can't afford to live and do access course.

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I am due to start an access course in September. I was really excited about it. I am 24 years old.

I am looking to rent/share a property in the next month. I assumed I would be able to claim housing benefit to cover most of the cost. I have just found out that because the access course is classed as a full-time course I would not be entitled to housing benefit meaning I will not be able to afford this. Inquired with student finance about a maintenance loan but am not entitled to that either. So what am I entitled to?

It is honestly looking like I can't afford to do the access course and live at the same time. Am I missing something? I don't have a family to live with and because it's not university I don't have halls of residence to stay in. Aren't they missing out a huge proportion of adults who want to go back to education? Have called the college and they have said the only finance related thing I am entitled to is the advanced learner loan and that is just to cover course fee.

Am really in a bit of a mess. Any advice would be appreciated.

Before anybody mentions getting a job - i am looking for part-time work but my situation is very complicated and is not related to laziness.

Thanks in advance.

Your college should have a bursary/maintenance programme, you should contact student support services for more information at your college.

Reply 41

Lizzipth_Floyd

Original post by lavalamp10

Your college should have a bursary/maintenance programme, you should contact student support services for more information at your college.

I applied. The only thing I was awarded was travel expenses to and from college.

Reply 42

Tiger Rag

Original post by JustStudying

Hello, do you know about "Income-Support" (no Jobseeker's Allowance) or "Hardship Funds"? The following links might help a little.
https://www.gov.uk/income-support/eligibility
https://www.gov.uk/extra-money-pay-university/university-and-college-hardship-funds

There are, furthermore, benefit calculators/finders: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Find-Benefits-Grants
http://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/startcalc.aspx?e2dwp=y

The OP won't be entitled to income support, unless they're a lone parent of a child under 5 or a carer.

Reply 43

Krissy87

I did Access last year and was also not entitled to anything as they did not consider change of circumstances ( they went by the previous years income and I was on 18 grand in my previous job the year before) and all I had was 24+ loan, but one of my coursemates (she had a baby tho) lived on her own and got housing benefit and nursery paid.. if college won't give you maintenance loan, take the refusal letter and go to council or try applying again as I know people who got it the second time around. (It's only something like £230- £300 a semester tho, so doesn't really cover living costs anyway)
If you get part time job that is 16h at least you might be eligible for working tax credits, Citizens advice might also help as they can check and tell you what you might be entitled to or at least point you in the right direction.
Also, like mentioned in comments before have you considered foundation degree? It would be an extra year, but in most cases, you do not need access and you can get student finance and maintenance loan. but it really depends on your situation.
Hope that helps. ;-)

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 44

Kyrstface

Do you not get income support. Ive been on IS without children before (because I was 17 and in education.)

Reply 45

Lizzipth_Floyd

Original post by Kyrstface

Do you not get income support. Ive been on IS without children before (because I was 17 and in education.)

I do now, if I was a full-time student I wouldn't be entitled anymore.

Panic over anyway: college have just confirmed it is classed as a part-time course :colondollar: