Maintenance Loan at open university

Original post by Jessel James

Hi Everyone
I desperately need some clarity on this topic. I want to study full time at open university and require a maintence loan has it will assist me with my daily living cost. I do fall below the threshold has i am on the low earning bracket and would find it difficult in maintaining a household and still be in full time study.

I have been researching this online and have been on the Gov Website ( see link below). On the Web Site i completed the eligibility page and i do qualify due to me being a low income earner and the course intensity is over 25% but when i contact student finance they tell that i dont qualify has open university is distance learning.

On the online website ( see link below) it says you can get maintenance loan if you study open university based if you a low income earner and the course intensity. I dont mind doing a means test in order to prove i am a genuine student.

My dream is to attain this degree to improve the quality of my life and future. It has been my life long dream but i would not be able achive this without a maintenance loan. Please can some kind person help me with this search and navigate me in the right direction. I will be dearly greatful for every bit assistance i can get.

Thanking you in advance
Jesse

https://quickshare.samsungcloud.com/7snz3s3V0VjF

Hi Jesse,

Open University students are eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan only. However, new students who are studying a Distance Learning course due to a disability will be eligible for the Part Time Maintenance Loan. Students who are distance learning at with a HEP that would otherwise require attendance can also be eligible for the Part Time Maintenance Loan. Evidence will be required to prove the student is unable to attend due to a disability.

Thanks,
Claire

Reply 2

Jessel James

OP

Original post by Claire SFE

Hi Jesse,

Open University students are eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan only. However, new students who are studying a Distance Learning course due to a disability will be eligible for the Part Time Maintenance Loan. Students who are distance learning at with a HEP that would otherwise require attendance can also be eligible for the Part Time Maintenance Loan. Evidence will be required to prove the student is unable to attend due to a disability.

Thanks,
Claire

Thank You Claire for the information. I really appreciate the update.

Regards
Jesse

Reply 3

Graeme SFE

Original post by Jessel James

Thank You Claire for the information. I really appreciate the update.

Regards
Jesse

You're welcome, Jesse - if you have any further questions feel free to ask.

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 4

Lorraine84

Hello, I have mental health issues which prevent me from attending university and would like to apply for the Part Time Maintenance Loan but how do I do this? My course with open university will start in October.

Reply 5

Graeme SFE

Original post by Lorraine84

Hello, I have mental health issues which prevent me from attending university and would like to apply for the Part Time Maintenance Loan but how do I do this? My course with open university will start in October.

Hi Lorraine,

When the part-time applications open this Summer you just need to apply online here:

https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login

When you do you can indicate that you'll be studying distance learning due to a disability: we'll then send you a form to complete that confirms this.

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 6

zilsyv

i'll be studying with open university aswell and i start october, i want to apply for maintenance loan but how can i? what do you need to have to apply for it

Reply 7

SFE Jason

Original post by zilsyv

i'll be studying with open university aswell and i start october, i want to apply for maintenance loan but how can i? what do you need to have to apply for it

Hi there, When you apply you can indicate that you'll be studying distance learning due to a disability: we'll then send you a form to complete that confirms this and advise on any evidence needed. Thanks, Jason

Reply 8

Franklinliv

Hello, I want to start open uni in October 2024 on a part-time basis but would need to go down to part time hours at my current full time job to do so. The gov website says I can’t get a maintenance loan as it’s distance learning and I do not have a disability, but this now makes the uni course unrealistic for me as I cannot change to part time pay without that extra help from the maintenance loan. Do I have any options here? Thank you

Reply 9

SFE Jason