Lone parent on income support can I study part time degree?

[lyssie29]

Can I study a part time degree wih the open university if I'm on income support?? I have no one to take the kids as my fiance passed away but I want to better myself to provide more for them. One is starting school in September but the other is not yet 2.

The OU will have people who can advise you about this. All education providers do. It's just a case of finding the contact details for the team who give advice. Good luck xx

Hi,

From my experience you might be better off studying full time. I did my degree part time whilst also working a part time job. I got no help at all and ended up financially worse off due to having to buy books/ supplies etc, so I ended up having to increase my hours and work to be able to afford to pay my bills and study which was an absolute nightmare to juggle along with having my little girl ( she was 1 when I started). If you study part time then student finance England only give you a loan for your tuition fees. Other students on the course that studied full time and were single mums like me had every grant and loan thrown at them. Including costs for housing, nursery fees, a friend of mine also got a £500 grant to get a new laptop! So you'd probably be entitled to a lot more help being a full time student with children and having your youngest at nursery will give you the time needed to concentrate on your studies. I'd advise you to contact your local college or uni and look into it.

I hope this helps.

I agree I would try do full time. You would be financially better off.