Funding studies post illness

2

About 8 years ago I left university due to a severe mental health issue. I had made it to my 3rd year but due to problems that weren't diagnosed at the time I definitely wasn't doing as well as I could on the course even before I finally had to leave. Now many years and much better health later I'd like to go back. My question is would I be able to start over and would there be an avenue to apply for funding?

Reply 1

Claire SFE

Official Rep

8

Original post

by casualWanderer23

About 8 years ago I left university due to a severe mental health issue. I had made it to my 3rd year but due to problems that weren't diagnosed at the time I definitely wasn't doing as well as I could on the course even before I finally had to leave. Now many years and much better health later I'd like to go back. My question is would I be able to start over and would there be an avenue to apply for funding?

Hi there,

Can you confirm what course you will be doing now and when? Did you receive any qualification from your previous course?

Thanks,
Claire

Reply 2

casualWanderer23

OP

2

Original post

by Claire SFE

Hi there,
Can you confirm what course you will be doing now and when? Did you receive any qualification from your previous course?
Thanks,
Claire

I was studying for an undergraduate in journalism and I believe getting through to 3rd qualified me for a level 5 in journalism. It would be this I would like to return to. However after such a long time away I'm not sure jumping back into 3rd year would be the best use of my time or student finances funding. I haven't applied to return yet but was hoping to apply for a start this September at the earliest.

Reply 3

Claire SFE

Official Rep

8

Original post

by casualWanderer23

I was studying for an undergraduate in journalism and I believe getting through to 3rd qualified me for a level 5 in journalism. It would be this I would like to return to. However after such a long time away I'm not sure jumping back into 3rd year would be the best use of my time or student finances funding. I haven't applied to return yet but was hoping to apply for a start this September at the earliest.

Hi there,

From what you have advised I presume you're looking to start degree from scratch? Would this be full time or part time? Was your previous study full time?

Thanks,
Claire

Reply 4

casualWanderer23

OP

2

Original post

by Claire SFE

Hi there,
From what you have advised I presume you're looking to start degree from scratch? Would this be full time or part time? Was your previous study full time?
Thanks,
Claire

Yes that would be my goal. My previous degree was full time and I would like to do this full time as well if that is an opportunity that is available?

Reply 5

Graeme SFE

Official Rep

8

Original post

by casualWanderer23

Yes that would be my goal. My previous degree was full time and I would like to do this full time as well if that is an opportunity that is available?

Thanks - based on what you've said you have three years of previous study.

So, if your new course is also three years, this means that you'll be entitled to a Maintenance Loan for the duration. However, due to your previous study you'll be entitled to the Tuition Fee Loan in the final year only.

However, it sounds like you had Compelling Personal Reasons (CPR) for not completing your previous course. If you can provide evidence of this we may be able to award you an additional year of funding. Please see the link below for more details.

Thanks, Graeme

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/going-back-to-uni-or-repeating-a-year

Reply 6

casualWanderer23

OP

2

Thank you for your help while this means I definitely can't afford university as I can't afford the tuition fees I appreciate your help.

Reply 7

casualWanderer23

OP

2

Original post

by Graeme SFE

Thanks - based on what you've said you have three years of previous study.
So, if your new course is also three years, this means that you'll be entitled to a Maintenance Loan for the duration. However, due to your previous study you'll be entitled to the Tuition Fee Loan in the final year only.
However, it sounds like you had Compelling Personal Reasons (CPR) for not completing your previous course. If you can provide evidence of this we may be able to award you an additional year of funding. Please see the link below for more details.
Thanks, Graeme
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/going-back-to-uni-or-repeating-a-year

Hi Graeme.
How is someone from a working class background with a history of complex mental health issues meant to find the £9-£18,000 pounds required to cover the fees for the years not covered by a tuition fee loan? Does the fact that had I had my current diagnosis while on my previous course id have been entitled to support change availability to funds? Or is accruing interest on a loan I have no hope of repaying the only thing I will be taking forward from my university experience?

Reply 8

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post

by casualWanderer23

Hi Graeme.
How is someone from a working class background with a history of complex mental health issues meant to find the £9-£18,000 pounds required to cover the fees for the years not covered by a tuition fee loan? Does the fact that had I had my current diagnosis while on my previous course id have been entitled to support change availability to funds? Or is accruing interest on a loan I have no hope of repaying the only thing I will be taking forward from my university experience?

Something worth considering - at least presently, as I understand (and experience) part-time study funding is calculated separately to full-time study funding, and normally previous full-time study won't prevent you getting funding for part-time study if the course you're studying isn't an equivalent or lower level qualification (ELQ).

I can't say for absolute certain, but it is possibly an avenue to explore - this is what I did after similarly having to withdraw due to mental health issues after more than one year of full-time study. I'm now doing my part-time degree (and have both maintenance loan and tuition fee funding - albeit they are pro-rated so if studying at 50% intensity, you would get 50% of the maximum maintenance loan you are entitled to for example).

Also study at the Open University is classified as "part-time" regadless of study intensity, so you can do a full 120 credits (equivalent to full-time study at a brick uni) at the OU and likewise I believe you should be entitled to tuition fee loans for it. However bear in mind usually you can't get a maintenance loan when studying at the OU unless you meet very strict criteria where you have a disability that prevents you attending an in person course AND no in person courses near you are able to accommodate your disability to enable you to attend with reasonable adjustments.

You still have some options so don't despair :smile:

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 9

SFE Clare

Official Rep

8

Hi casualWanderer23,

If you don't hold an equal level qualification then you should still be eligible to receive the Maintenance Loan for the duration of your new course. As mentioned by Graeme, there is a policy in place that takes those circumstances into consideration for future Tuition Fee Loan. If your studies were affected by something health related, you can provide evidence such as a doctors letter that confirms what happened, when this happened and how this directly impacted your studies.

Thanks, Clare

Funding studies post illness

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