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How can I access university while being on pip ?

FriendlyBro

I currently don’t work I finished college many years ago my mental health was bad for a while. But now I’d like see what is around how would I go about this? I do get another benefit but I am unsure what it is Also diagnosed Asperger’s

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Comments

Albus_Alumni

Hiya @FriendlyBro it's great to hear you're wanting to get back into education.

There's a lot of info on this here but PIP will not be affected by going back to uni, as it's not means tested, so that's one less thing to worry about.

Jennette81

You can also get extra help in special support to top up your maintenance loan if you meet the criteria, which being on PIP and having an award which is still within date in the academic year is accepted as proof.

You can also be assessed for Disability Support Allowance which doesn't need to be paid back if you get it. It doesn't give you actual money but once you have the assessment they identify if you need help with travel to uni, a scriber, assisting technology. Access to a suitable computer if you should need it.

Just been doing this for my daughter who starts Uni in Sept so upto date advice x

FriendlyBro

Albus_Scope said:

Hiya @FriendlyBro it's great to hear you're wanting to get back into education.

There's a lot of info on this here but PIP will not be affected by going back to uni, as it's not means tested, so that's one less thing to worry about.

Thank you so much I will look into this for sure I will post an update if it goes well

Jimm_Alumni

Many universities have their own disabled student support as well, they can assist you with adjustments in your studying and exams as well as help financially sometimes too.

forgoodnesssake

Yes with the decimation of DSA about 10 (?) years ago all Unis now have a duty to make reasonable adjustments including providing academic support to attend and study etc. Obvsiously some, and some individual departments are much better at this than others! If you meet the criteria DSA should provide what @Jennette81 says above, but it will not cover any personal support needs you may have or any non specialist academic support.

As an example my son, currently doing an extended maths degree and who has quad athetoid CP, no speech, power chair, poor hand function so needs support with all physical tasks gets, from DSA, a laptop (from a small pre-approved selection), one hour a week mentoring, an adapted joystick and not much else! I think if he needed transport to Uni he'd get a taxi, but he doesn't. The uni provide 25 hours per week academic support because DSA will only provide that in very specific situations (I think if significantly visually or hearing impaired)