Advice for single parent reagrding finance and studying DTLLs..

[Movingforward123]

I have just spoke to student finance regarding help with course fees for PTLLS (preparing to teach in the life long learning sector) and there is no help.

But they did say there is help for DTLLS (diploma in teaching in the lifelong learnng sector) I think he said I can get £3,200 for maintence whatever that means even if I am working part time. And I think upto £1,500 if I am a parent.

I am just wondering how that will affect my house benefit and working and tax credits as I am a single parent.

Can housing benefit take all of that money into account when assessing my allowance?

Any advice welcome.

[sashh]

How it affects benefit is bizarre.

If you don't take the student finance they take it from your benefit. But if you do take it you keep your benefits at the same level.

[Movingforward123]

So have you studied Dtlls or something else? And were you working parttime while studying?

[sashh]

Yes I have DTTLS and I was working part time, you have to have some teaching hours so you can be assessed. But these can be voluntary so guides, scouts, old people's home.

My advice, do it now, before the government changes any more benefits / grants / funding.

I had to pay fees because I was only on VL (temporary) contracts. If you can get a job then most employers will fund it.

It was incredibly hard work at times, lesson planning is a nightmare, we had to do 4 pages just for a 10 min microteach. Overall it was really satisfying.

We did an 'action research' unit, and I looked at access for deaf students. Everyone did something different.

Although you enroll on DTTLS, the first few weeks are PTTLS, the rest of the first year is CTTLS and the final year is DTTLS so you can leave early with a lower qualification.

[Movingforward123]

Thank you for all the information.

So what subject do you teach? And do you mind me asking what qualifications you had before?

I have nearly completed my NVQ level 3 in business admin and hope to teach that. I will be starting PTTLS next month and hope to find work in a college after that. Have you got any tips on how to go about getting paid work in a college?

I hope its not too many questions, but I am very excited and slightly nervous hoping it will all go the right way.