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Original poster

Open University maintenance loan

9 replies

bumpdownthestairs · 27/02/2021 22:05

Quick question that I can't find a straight answer to on google; if I study an Open University degree full time will I be entitled to a maintenance loan? Or is it only if you attend in person? Thanks for reading 😊

OP posts:
CoffeeRunner · 27/02/2021 22:07

No. DS1 did an OU Degree & could only get student finance for the tuition fees, not any sort of living expenses.

Original poster
bumpdownthestairs · 27/02/2021 22:09

Thanks so much for your answer! I couldn't find a straight one anywhere.

OP posts:
Mally2020 · 27/02/2021 23:12

yeah you only get tuition fees and I might be wrong but I'm sure you can only get the fees for part time courses

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alfreds · 27/02/2021 23:22

It depends where you live. England and you can only get a maintenance loan if you have a disability that means you can't attend a brick uni. In Wales you can get a tuition fee loan, maintenance loans and grant while studying through OU part time regardless of disability.

titchy · 27/02/2021 23:25

England is maintenance loan only for in person (covid aside!) not distance learning, but can be part time in-person.

Original poster
bumpdownthestairs · 28/02/2021 09:35

Thanks everyone, I am in England, will keep looking at the best way to do it. I fancied FT OU but with a 2 year old to look after it wouldn't leave much time for a part time job as well. May have to look at part time but the 6 years of study is a bit long. Definitely regret not going to university at 18!

OP posts:
raspberryk · 28/02/2021 09:39

Why don’t you look into normal “full time” usually 3 days 24 hours ish uni instead? Then you’d be eligible for all the finance.
I started my course at 30 with 2 kids.

mdh2020 · 28/02/2021 09:55

Like Raspberryk I went to uni full time at 31 with two young children in Primary School. I had no social life at uni and spent very little time in the library but it was do-able. The hours were such that I didn’t even need childcare as I was always able to pick them up from school or swap afternoons with a friend. But no uni will guarantee such a timetable. Gosh life was busy but it was well worth all the effort even if the 80s did pass me by.

Original poster
bumpdownthestairs · 28/02/2021 11:30

Thanks both, nearest uni is 35 miles away so quite a trek but doable I suppose 😊 I will have to look into placements etc and see if I will be able to work around it all.

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