Petition · past parliament · Department for Education

Extend the Maintenance loan to cover part time distance learning students

Closed 280 signatures

What the petition asks

Many students studying with institutions like the Open University study full time hours meaning they are unable to work a full time job. However they can’t apply for a maintenance loan like other students
The Open University suggests 32 hours of study a week for someone wanting to graduate in 3 years from a standard Bachelors degree. This means they could not work a full time job and study, leaving them with little option for money. This should be changed to allow such students to apply for a maintenance loan as other students are able to.

Timeline

1 Apr 2021 Petition opened for signatures
1 Oct 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 280
Status Closed
Department Department for Education
Opened 1 Apr 2021
Closed 1 Oct 2021

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.