Part-Time Funding

I previously was at university, but had to withdraw due to medical reasons. In total I studied and completed 1 year full time, and 1 year part time, then started another year part time but withdrew in March (so a total of 1 year full time and 2 years part time). From this, I got a certificate of higher education.

I am now looking to study a different course part-time and online due to my conditions slightly improving. It is with the Open University so it is projected to take 6 years part time. I seem to have come across conflicting information about how many years I have left of funding. Would I need to apply for compelling personal reasons, or would I be fully funded for the new part-time course? If I had to apply for CPR, would SFE consider 2 years as both the part time years were impacted? And what if I decided part way through to change to full time i.e. do stages 1 and 2 part time and do stage 3 full time? How would this affect my funding? I believe I was told by my university to apply as if it was a full time course but say my tuition fees were the rate they set for me to go part time as they didn't technically offer standard part time courses for my degree, so does this effect it too?

Apologies for the numerous questions, but this is all very nuanced and not very well documented from what I could find online!

Reply 1

Claire SFE

Official Rep

Original post

by Milly GD

I previously was at university, but had to withdraw due to medical reasons. In total I studied and completed 1 year full time, and 1 year part time, then started another year part time but withdrew in March (so a total of 1 year full time and 2 years part time). From this, I got a certificate of higher education.
I am now looking to study a different course part-time and online due to my conditions slightly improving. It is with the Open University so it is projected to take 6 years part time. I seem to have come across conflicting information about how many years I have left of funding. Would I need to apply for compelling personal reasons, or would I be fully funded for the new part-time course? If I had to apply for CPR, would SFE consider 2 years as both the part time years were impacted? And what if I decided part way through to change to full time i.e. do stages 1 and 2 part time and do stage 3 full time? How would this affect my funding? I believe I was told by my university to apply as if it was a full time course but say my tuition fees were the rate they set for me to go part time as they didn't technically offer standard part time courses for my degree, so does this effect it too?
Apologies for the numerous questions, but this is all very nuanced and not very well documented from what I could find online!

Hi Milly,

What course are you looking to study with the OU? OU courses are funded under part time applications whether course full time or not. The funding we offer for OU courses are Tuition Fee Loan only. Part Time Maintenance Loan is only awarded if you're doing the course distance learning due to disability and can provide proof of this.

Thanks,
Claire

Reply 2

Milly GD

Original post

by Claire SFE

Hi Milly,
What course are you looking to study with the OU? OU courses are funded under part time applications whether course full time or not. The funding we offer for OU courses are Tuition Fee Loan only. Part Time Maintenance Loan is only awarded if you're doing the course distance learning due to disability and can provide proof of this.
Thanks,
Claire

I am looking at studying BSc Economics and Mathematical Studies. I do have disabilities and have evidence stating my conditions and how they affect me and could easily get a letter saying that distance learning is my only option given my conditions currently. For the application for the maintenance loan, would I then need to apply as normal or is there a different application for that?
And then would I need to submit a CPR request or would this not be necessary given it is a part time application?

Reply 3

SFE Clare

Official Rep

Hi Milly GD,

I have checked this for you and I can see that if you obtained a qualification previously that is not an equal level qualification and will be studying a new course which is a higher level qualification, you would be eligible to receive full support for the new part time course. All you need to do is apply for the relevant academic year and ensure you put the correct qualification that you previously obtained. You will be sent a Medical Declaration form for your doctor to complete that confirms that you are unable to attend a brick university due to your disability to apply for the Maintenance Loan.

Thanks, Clare