Does anyone have actual examples of disabled students who have had problems
taking a year out on HE course? Skill has been talking to the DFEE Awards
section about the problem that can arise when a student falls ill, or for
another reason needs to intercalate. After the first 28 weeks students are no
longer eligible for their grant. After this period it is usually necessary to
intercalate because of the amount of the course that has been missed. In order
to claim benefits for the rest of the year students have to give up their
student status. This means however that they also give up their right to a
mandatory award and are financially prevented from returning to finish their
course. The DFEE has asked us for some examples of students who have been
caught in this benefit trap so that they can consider the issue. Could you
please send any brief details of cases to me at Skill as soon as you can. Feel
free to give students pseudonyms to retain confidentiality. Thank you.
Sophie Corlett, Assistant Director, Skill: National Bureau for Students with
Disabilities
336 Brixton Road, London, SW9 7AA, telephone number 0171 274 0565, fax 0171 737
7477.
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