[ann1]

Hi, I am currently having a problem with student finance.

I have been studying with the Open University for 2 years, I've done 3 courses and I have 180 points.

I did not want to stay with OU and have got into Birmingham Uni, starting this Sept.

I applied for a student loan and just been told I am not entitled to any tuition fee loan because of the Open University study.

I called and they said I cannot even appeal this decision and have got to pay the first two years fees.

This completely contradicts everything I have read, I thought that part time study does not affect funding.

Is there anything I can do to try and get this funding?

They said to send some information that I think supports the fact that I am entitled to finance, what could I send?

If I can't get this funding I cannot go to uni so I'm seriously worried.

Thank you for any advice or information you may have.

[Shani]

Did you actually achieve a qualification from your study?

I believe part time study is only counted as previous study if you achieved a qualification, wheras all full time study is counted, regardless whether you achieved a qualification or not.

I don't have much experience with the OU and funding, so hopefully someone may come along who can better answer your questions.

[ann1]

I received a certificate in health and social care. This is a level one cert equivalent to A level study.

I've just called back and now they've said I am not entitled to any tuition fee loan for the whole degree as I have a qualification.

I've heard of many people doing K101 and getting this certificate to help them get into regular university. I also paid for it myself so I can't understand how it affects student finance.

[Shani]

(Original post by ann1)
I received a certificate in health and social care. This is a level one cert equivalent to A level study.

I've just called back and now they've said I am not entitled to any tuition fee loan for the whole degree as I have a qualification.

I've heard of many people doing K101 and getting this certificate to help them get into regular university. I also paid for it myself so I can't understand how it affects student finance.

K101 is equivalent to first year university level? This is 60 credits, but you say you have 180? This is still not equivalent to an undergraduate degree, so the ELQ rules should not apply to you.

If you held a stand alone post-grad qualification, without undergraduate study, then unfortunately ELQ would apply.

I wish I could help you further but I have very limited knowledge in this area.

[ann1]

I do not have 180 points yet, I have 60 at the moment. I am finishing two courses which do not have qualifications attached. It is likely I have failed one of these though. So I will have 120 points and just the certificate in health and social care. Not having a good year lol.

Surely I will get two years of funding even if I can't get the first year funded.
I have no other qualifications.

Thank you for your help anyway, it is really confusing.

[CountryFeedback]

I think I'm in practically the same situation as you! I've got 180 credits and have a Uni place, and funnily enough I rang Student Finance today. I don't know how they denied your application, it seems to completely contradict the rules...

As far as I understand, the rules are that if you have a qualification (ie. an OU certificate) that [I]might[I] affect your entitlement - but this should only be one year. (This would be your gift year - As the official entitlement is that you get the length of your course plus one year, so you would lose your extra year at worst.)

I've got an OU Certificate too, and I can't believe they think that one 60 credit course would make you ineligible for loans for the entire degree!

As for OU credits they aren't supposed to impact on student loans at all, as I asked them today, they told me that as long as I have done less than 16 years of OU study, and haven't gained an equivalent qualification, then it wouldn't impact my entitlement.

To be honest they don't know what they're talking about at Student Finance. I have rang them about 10 times, and got a different answer each time... (But today's call was probably the most certain, as they read out the rules and it clearly stated the 16 year rule.)

So have you been doing two courses at a Full-Time pace? Maybe that is impacting on it? Either way though what they've said really doesn't seem right!

I found out so late this year that the OU qualifications can affect funding, I have had to defer until next year to try and sort this mess out!! :/

[ann1]

Countryfeedback I can't believe you are going through the same thing.
It really is mad that a 60 point course can mean we don't get funding, it completely contradicts everything I've read before.

You must be so upset to have to defer after spending so long applying and doing theo courses.
I hope I won't have to.

I am going to appeal the decision and see what happens.

I have been doing two courses at the same time. Its been very hard, I hope it hasn't been for nothing.

[CountryFeedback]

I know, it just seems ridiculous that the OU courses would hinder us like this! :/

Best of luck with your appeal! The only thing I can think of which confused student finance is that you have done a year at full-time pace, and they might think that means a year at a bricks and mortar uni... :/

I have asked the OU to write me a letter clarifying exactly what the certificate is - so if I need to I can prove that it's not a Cert HE! (For some reason student finance seem to think the OUs own 60 credit certificates are cert HE's which require 120 credits!)