income support and wanting to go back to college

[karrie8]

Hi im a single mum to a 22 month old, im wanting to go back to college to do health and social care course. Im 26 years old does anyone know if I get the education for free because im on income support, or can I even go back to college at my age?

[creamteas]

There is some help available, but it is limited. The rules are also likely to be will also be changing again when Universal Credit comes in.

Your best bet is to identify the college you want to go to and then talk to their student support office. They will be able to give you much more detailed advice about if you will qualify for help on the course you want to do.

[sashh]

It depends what course you are doing and what qualifications you already have.

It is also about to change with universal credit.

I think because you are young you should be funded for a Level 3 course, so a BTEC National or similar.

You can absolutely go back in to education at any age.

[LIZS]

Depends on the level of the course and your previous qualifications . In many cases a level 1 or even 2 might be free.

[wannabeEostregoddess]

A vocational course carties no fees.

You can apply for a grant, but the grant will reduce your IS. In my case the grant was £1600 split into 3 payments over the year and it reduced my IS by £15 per week.

But you will only qualify for that grant if the level of course is higher than any qualifications you already have. Plus other areas may differ.

[wannabeEostregoddess]

Carties?? Carries

[Luela]

As far as I'm aware no matter how old you are your education at college will be free if you are on income support and the qualification you are doing is higher then the ones you have already got - so if you haven't got a qualification of that level then yes it will be free but as everyone says its all due to change soon thanks to our wonderful govt