Student Finance: Open University Fees Covered?

If you're considering signing up for a course at the Open University, you might be wondering how you're going to fund it. The good news is that tuition fee support is available for both full-time and part-time distance learning students, although the latter should check their 'course intensity' as this may affect what they can get. You may be able to get a loan if your part-time course has a 'course intensity' of 25% or more. There are also other options to consider, such as scholarships, bursaries, and employer sponsorship. So, if you're thinking of studying with the Open University, be sure to do your research and explore all the potential funding options available to you.

Tuition fee loans

To determine course intensity, part-time students can compare the number of credits they'll study per year to those of a full-time student. The tuition fee loan will cover tuition fees upfront, and students will repay the loan (plus interest) once they finish their studies and are earning above a minimum threshold. The exact amount a student can get and the eligibility criteria will vary depending on where they live. Typically, this should be a student's first undergraduate degree, and they must meet some basic nationality/residence criteria.

Students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Students in Scotland may be eligible for the Part-Time Fee Grant if their income is £25,000 or less or they receive certain benefits. This grant provides up to £1,230 per year, and students can access a tuition fee loan if the grant does not cover the full amount or they are not eligible. In Northern Ireland, students may also be eligible for the income-based part-time fee grant of up to £1,230 per year and can access a tuition fee loan if needed.

Maintenance loans

The amount of maintenance loan you can get depends on:

• Where you live while studying
• Your household income
• Your course intensity

You can get up to £6,935 in an academic year. To be eligible for a maintenance loan, you must be under 60 years of age on the first day of the first academic year of your course.

You can use the student finance calculator to estimate how much you'll get if you are eligible for a maintenance loan.

You can also get extra money on top of your maintenance loan if you:

• Are under 25, have no contact with your parents, and support yourself
• Are a full-time student with children
• Have an adult who depends on you financially
• Have a disability, mental or physical health problem, or learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia)

Repaying Your Loan

You will have to repay your maintenance loan. The repayment plan you're on will determine when you start repaying and how much you repay.

Application Process

To apply for a maintenance loan, you will need to create a student finance account if you are a new student or sign into an existing account if you are a returning student. It can take up to six weeks to process your application, and you might have to provide extra evidence.

Other Funding Options

In addition to maintenance loans, there are other funding options available to help with the cost of distance learning:

• Tuition Fee Loan: Paid directly to your university or college to cover your tuition fees.
• Part-Time Fee Grant (Scotland): If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you're receiving certain benefits, you may qualify for a fee grant and top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees.
• Part-Time Fee Grant (Northern Ireland): Students in Northern Ireland may be eligible for an income-based part-time fee grant of up to £1,230 per year.
• Employer Sponsorship: If your degree is related to your current job, your employer may be willing to fund your tuition fees fully or partially.
• Scholarships and Bursaries: Your university or course provider may offer scholarships or bursaries based on academic merit, achievement, or personal circumstances.
• Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs): Students in the UK with a disability, mental health condition, or learning difficulty can claim allowances to cover extra study costs.
• Low Household Income Support: Depending on your location in the UK, your student finance body may provide extra support if your household income is below a minimum amount.

Course intensity

The 'course intensity' of a degree programme is a measure of how much of the course a student completes each year, compared to a full-time student on an equivalent course. Course intensity is relevant when it comes to student finance, as it determines whether a student is eligible for a loan or grant.

For part-time students, course intensity is calculated by comparing the number of module credits studied per year with the number a full-time student would study. To be eligible for student finance, a course must have a course intensity of 25% or more. This is the case for both students studying in the UK and international students.

Students studying with the Open University in Wales must apply for part-time support, regardless of the intensity of study. This means that to receive financial support, students must be studying at a course intensity of at least 25%.

In addition to living costs and tuition fee support, students in the UK studying at an intensity of 25% or more may also be eligible for the following:

• Childcare Grant
• Parents' Learning Allowance
• Adult Dependants' Grant
• Disabled Students' Grants

Scholarships and bursaries

The Open University (OU) offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to help students access education. Since its inception in 1969, the OU has aimed to open up education for all, and it continues to do so by providing financial assistance to disabled veterans, carers, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The OU's Open Futures Fund comprises several scholarships and bursaries designed to break down the barriers to education and provide individuals with the opportunity to unlock their potential. The fund includes scholarships for disabled veterans and carers, as well as grants and bursaries for students who need financial support to continue their studies. So far, the Open Futures Fund has supported over 3,000 students with financial assistance, and more than 1,000 students have received bursaries and grants to pursue their ambitions.

In addition to the Open Futures Fund, the OU also offers other scholarships and bursaries. For international students, there are various scholarships available, including the Fulbright Scholarships for Norwegian Students and the Fulbright Program for Citizens of Afghanistan. These scholarships provide partial or full funding for master's or PhD programs in a range of fields.

The OU also has scholarships for specific groups, such as the Carers Scholarship Fund, which offers unpaid carers the opportunity to study for free. The flexibility of OU study allows carers to continue their caring role while also achieving a qualification. Another scholarship is the Disabled Veterans' Scholarships Fund, which provides free access to education and dedicated support services for injured or disabled veterans.

Furthermore, the OU provides grants and bursaries through the Open Futures Fund to offer flexible support to students from diverse backgrounds who may need additional financial assistance. These grants and bursaries are designed to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to attend university and build their skills, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The OU relies on donations from alumni and supporters to continue providing these scholarships, bursaries, and grants.

Disabled Students' Allowances

Disabled Students Allowances

Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs) are available for students in the UK with a disability, mental health condition, or learning difficulty. DSAs can be used to cover the cost of any extra study costs incurred as a result of a student's disability or condition. The Open University in Northern Ireland, for example, offers DSA to its students.

The DSA is a non-repayable allowance and is available to both full-time and part-time students. To be eligible, students must be ordinarily resident in the UK and have a disability that affects their ability to study. The allowance can be used to pay for specialist equipment, non-medical helpers, travel, and other disability-related expenses.

The application process for DSAs typically involves an assessment of the student's needs, which can include a needs assessment and a disability assessment. The needs assessment will determine what support and equipment the student requires, while the disability assessment will verify the student's condition.

Students can apply for DSAs through their national student finance body, such as Student Finance England, Student Finance Northern Ireland, or the Student Awards Agency Scotland. The Open University in Northern Ireland, for instance, provides specific email addresses and phone numbers for students to get in touch with any queries about the DSA application process.

The Open University emphasizes its commitment to accessibility and supporting disabled students, with over 37,000 students declaring a disability in the 2021/22 academic year. The university offers a range of support services, including a local team of experts, to help disabled students succeed in their studies.

Frequently asked questions