Higher Education Barriers

I'm not sure anyone will have the expertise I need but I thought it was worth a try.

I am looking at doing a two year part time top-up to my HND to convert it into a full degree. I can still recieve IB (as long as I pass the medical) and DLA, I think I can still recieve IS - I don't think I can get a loan or bursery but I'm not sure.

My main problem is with fees and disabled student's allowance. I have to attend the course for two weeks before I can apply for fee's and DSA. To start the course I need a 20% deposit of around £550 and to set up a direct debit for the rest of the money to be taken until the fees are paid and I am reimbursed.

Problem 1 = I am on IS for god sake where is oodles of money supposed to come from for a deposit and fees until they deign to pay them

Problem 2 = How do I attend a course for a good couple of months before the DSA is paid with no support. I have dyslexia and a range of physical and mobility problems

Problem 3 = If they migrate me half way through will it count as work related activity for the purpose of ESA - I won't be able to do extra and the degree is what will get me out of poverty and off state benefit (the official aim of ESA)

Can I use the DDA - it certainly feels like it's discrimination.

It's crazy and a nightmare - and if I have to write to my MP how do I not be scathing about how it's all his bloody fault - Alan Johnson.

Hi,

I'm afraid that as moderators we cannot give advice on individual claims.

See FAQ

You need to seek 'face to face' advice from a benefits adviser. Your local CAB may be able to assist you or contact Community Legal Advice

Good luck.

Jim

What about seeing if you could get a grant or a loan from a charity? There are a couple of directories of grant making trusts, which you could borrow from a local library or which your local CAB may have.

Have you checked out whether your college/university has any sort of charitable fund? Some have quite a lot of money in them.

Have you checked out any organisation with which you have a connection? There might be a fund attached to a place of work or a school or an organisation you've belonged to. Do you go to a place of worship, maybe? Some will help members.

You can also try large companies in your intended field of work. Some do make quite a lot of charitable grants which they offset against tax, and they don't all advertise them widely.

You could even see if there's anything about your circumstances that would make for a human interest story in a newspaper or the local television or radio - some can attract quite a few donations, but you are taking a risk as to how you are portrayed.

Have you any possessions you could sell or pawn? What about your friends and neighbours - would they donate things to you that you could sell, perhaps on somewhere like ebay or at a garage sale?

Whatever you do, good luck.

Hi,

I would just like to say what an excellent reply by survivor some great information and encouragement for you, I wish it was my reply, totally impressed by it a very well thought out answer or maybe it just comes naturally to some clever people.

Thank you - it's just a silly situation - I don't need a grant or a loan - my fees will be paid - just too late to help.

It's very frustrating

Hi,

I'm not sure about Higher Education but I have recently medically retired from Further Education as a Curriculum Manager. Similar situations to yours used to crop up reguarly and we had a "Learning Support Fund" to help people. It may pay you to talk to your University to see if they have something similar. Although you may have funding in the pipeline, applying for the "Learning Support Fund" may mean that they can register you and you don't need to pay a deposit.

That's what we used to do in FE.

Good luck with the course and I hope it works out for you.