Carers allowance and the carers scholarships
Hi! I’m 20 and after 2 gap years I’m looking to start an engineering course at the OU, however I ran into a few problems
Reading through the scholarship I think I meet all the requirements although I need to figure out how to provide proof of my caring responsibilities (was wondering if they’d accept my carers allowance paperwork?)
I’m not sure if me receiving carers allowance + UC with carers element would count as me being a paid carer or not? If it does it would render me ineligible for the scholarship so I’d have to take out loans…
I don’t think I can do full time, for one with my current caring workload I struggle to find time for myself as is that combined with the workload of a full time uni degree would probably break me especially as I have a history of somewhat severe mental illness and a track record of not handling stress well. That and I don’t think I can receive UC/carers allowance if I’m doing uni full time on top of full time caring, which is currently my only source of income.
Would I be offered a bursary for uni related expenses say I needed to travel for an in person class, and if so would I need to report it to DWP?
To anyone who read through this mess and or can offer advice, you have my gratitude.