Getting a grant

[barneyboo]

I am desperate to do an OCA BA Hons Art degree, but I cannot afford to pay for it. I have not worked for five years due to looking after terminally ill relatives (three died in quick succession and one is ill at the moment), and then the depression caused by this has left me devastated. I do not claim any benefits, and just do some cleaning for my sister once a week. I did my A-levels about 17 years ago after leaving school, and I am really enthusiastic about doing this as I can do it mainly at home. Does anybody know where I could apply for a grant?. I have tried the OCA itself but I never get a reply. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaase somebody help me.

[Sasha13]

What's OCA?

[barneyboo]

Open College of Arts. They have a website.

[Sasha13]

It might be worth looking to see if you are entitled to any help with meeting costs - My mum is doing an OU degree and has had her tuition paid. I can't remember the name of the allowance unfortunately (Learning Allowance or something like that) but it's worth talking to your Local Education Authority to see if you are entitled to any help.

Good luck!

[Ice-Maiden]

Absolutely! If you go for an OU course, I think there are ways of getting your tuition paid for - plus you'd be able to work from home and thus work around family commitments.

[saxy_jag]

As an OU student, I can vouch for the fact that you can get help with your course fees, be that spreading payment or the award of substantial grants and bursaries from their 'hardship' funds. You may also be able to get a small grant from your LEA to help with certain costs - travel to residential schools etc.

The only problem is that the OU doesn't offer Art as a subject, although it does offer a wide range of courses on History of Art.

Go to your nearest main library and see if they have a copy of the Directory of Grant Making Trusts. It's a bit of a trawl, but it lists literally thousands of organisations that people can apply for grants from. I once got �20 towards the cost of books from a local charitable trust that gives grants to mature women students. Doesn't sound much, but every little helps, as they say on the Tesco ads.