Part time study OU

Weepingangel

Hello,

I hope someone can help me with some answers. I want to study part-time through Open University. I receive the Highest PiP rate, ESA AND Reduced help with housing and council tax benefits.

I contacted the different departments and was told That I should go ahead and Apply to OU and wait and see how it will affect the benefits I receive.

I would be grateful if someone can help with some answers.

Ross_Alumni

Morning @Weepingangel

Welcome to the community, I hope you are well this morning. Sorry to see that you received no replies on your discussion. It's nice to see you on the community, and thanks for making this post.

Exciting news about your study, what is it that you want to study at the OU? I wanted to share this page on the Disability Rights UK website with you, it runs through a long list of FAQs relating to students and benefits / financial support. I hope it can be of use to you.

This is a very supportive and welcoming site to be a part of so I’m hopeful that you’ll find it to be a positive outlet. Feel free to have a look around and get involved wherever you’d like 😊 I have included below a few of the pages I’d recommend having a look through to get used to things:

• The virtual coffee lounge which is one of our categories, in which we play games and talk about general subjects such as hobbies and interests
• The recent discussions page, which shows an overview of everything happening across the community
• The categories page, which shows a full list of discussion groups on the community

If you have any questions at all then don’t hesitate to ask.

poppy123456

Being a part time student doesn't affect any of your benefits. However, if there's a maintenance loan available to you this will affect any means tested benefits you maybe claiming, even if you don't take that loan.

Weepingangel

Thank you for the replies.

Cartini

poppy123456 said:

Being a part time student doesn't affect any of your benefits. However, if there's a maintenance loan available to you this will affect any means tested benefits you maybe claiming, even if you don't take that loan.

Hi poppy12345,

I`m not in this boat, but I`m intrigued as to why an available maintenance loan can affect benefits, even if not taken.

Andy

calcotti

Cartini said:. I`m intrigued as to why an available maintenance loan can affect benefits, even if not taken.

Because if a loan is available a person is expected to make use of the loan therefore any available loan is taken into account when calculating benefit entitlement (otherwise anybody who could would claim benefits instead of taking a loan).

Cartini

calcotti said:

Cartini said:. I`m intrigued as to why an available maintenance loan can affect benefits, even if not taken.

Because if a loan is available a person is expected to make use of the loan therefore any available loan is taken into account when calculating benefit entitlement (otherwise anybody who could would claim benefits instead of taking a loan).

Thank you - got you.  I was thinking from a different angle.

bluefox

poppy123456 said:

Being a part time student doesn't affect any of your benefits. However, if there's a maintenance loan available to you this will affect any means tested benefits you maybe claiming, even if you don't take that loan.

Does this mean you can also study part time at colleges?

poppy123456

bluefox said:

poppy123456 said:

Being a part time student doesn't affect any of your benefits. However, if there's a maintenance loan available to you this will affect any means tested benefits you maybe claiming, even if you don't take that loan.

Does this mean you can also study part time at colleges?

Yes, as advised.