Changing from VTOS to BTEA

Richard Hillman

Hello, sorry to add to all the threads. It must be a busy time of year round these parts

Anyhow, i am currently with the VTOS scheme. I completed a level 5 course in the academic year just gone and have been accepted to a Level 6 course in a seperate place. I am able to get paid by VTOS over the summer holidays as i am awaiting the Level 6 course to begin in september.

This week i got accepted into a level 7 course. VTOS doesnt cover HETAC so i need to go to BTEA. The problem is that, Im not going to be able to afford the student contribution in time for September (I will by late October at the current rate). I am hopeful of recieving a free fee's grant with SUSI but i am no way sure i will recieve it and if i dont, i cant take the Level 7 place.

If i accept the Level 7 course and claim the BTEA i will have to give up my place for the Level 6 course and the VTOS but if i do not get the student grant then i could be left with nothing and twidling my thumbs for a year.

It seems like a massive risk to give up my Level 6 course in the hope that i will get a fee's grant (im 99% sure i will get BTEA). Also you can only get BTEA once in a lifetime so if i claim BTEA and get knocked back from SUSI for the grant, i will have to give the Level 7course up before it begins thus never being able to get BTEA again.



Can anybody give me advice with this?

Thank you for reading