Didn't complete degree, want to start new degree, will I get funding?

Psychobot · 25 June 2007 at 12:23AM

Hi all,

I started a degree in 2002 had trouble completing the degree course due to a variety of personal problems occurring in my life. I was meant to graduate in 2005, but was told by the University to take my finals the next year and that the fees would be carried over. Unfortunately I struggled to catch up on the course and wasn't able to finish my degree.

I am now without my personal problems and want to study on a different degree course starting this September. I would like to know whether I would be able to ask for help towards paying course fees.

Are there maintenance grants/ bursaries available for students who have studied before but didn't complete their degrees? Would these be available from the university or from LEA?

Has anyone been in the same situation as I am in now?

Your help would be much appreciated.

DjSatansfury · 25 June 2007 at 1:33AM

Answer is yes and no. Im in the same boat with this, and i am currently filling in the forms to apply. Basically, if you've already done a HE course and had funding, they wont give you anymore. Apparently they use the rule of (New Course Length + 1) - (Previous Study) So in your case, if you studied for 3 years, then 3 + 1 - 3 = 1 They'll give you 1 year of funding (far as i understand it)

However, if you can prove to the LEA that you have "Compelling Personal Reasons" for leaving the course, then you may get funding. (I had to leave due to being diagnosed with depression)

Now the problem here is that in my case, i left roughly a few months before the end of the 2nd year, despite being diagnosed in the February of the 2nd year, and suffering in the previous year of the course (Year 1). The LEA may well argue that i managed to get near enough to the end of my course, and reject my claim completely, or, say i managed to complete the Year 1 of the course, therefore they'll only give me funding for year 2.

Not sure if that applies also to the Maintaince loan and/or Grants however.

Edit: Ah ha, sorted!

Psychobot · 25 June 2007 at 2:14AM

Hello, thank you for replying.

I too suffered from depression throughout my course and did attempt to seek help from university counselling services. I didn't attend many appointments because when I was in the state of mind that meant I didn't want to be around anyone, aside from that I didn't find the counsellor's advice particularly useful. I had actually gotten myself into a bad relationship and had suffered from depression linked to the stress of continual threats from my ex - harrassment which I reported to the police, but didn't take up any further as I hoped the threat of taking police action would keep him away (it did). The stress affected me very badly and I struggled with my course.

I just don't know if there is any way I could prove this to the student finances company. I didn't see the doctor and didn't attend the counselling sessions that would 'prove' a particular something to someone.

I feel frustrated because I don't want to let this experience hold me back from achieving my goals.

I'm not sure who to contact.

Faz · 25 June 2007 at 7:51PM

Why don't you speak to your local education authority? Pop in and sit down with someone from the LEA.

I had a bit of a troubled start to my university, was supposed to start in 2002 and only got onto my current course in 2005. I wrote a letter to my LEA explaining why I was unable to complete my previous course etc, and they agreed to provide extra funding.

stamford · 25 June 2007 at 7:55PM

Wait around here and Student Phil will give you some invaluable advice. He's been doing a Phd in Idle Studies for the last 25 years

Psychobot · 26 June 2007 at 11:52AM

stamford wrote: »

Wait around here and Student Phil will give you some invaluable advice. He's been doing a Phd in Idle Studies for the last 25 years

If you're trying to insinuate that I'm idle - then keep your remarks to yourself.

stamford · 26 June 2007 at 11:58AM

Psychobot wrote: »

If you're trying to insinuate that I'm idle - then keep your remarks to yourself.

Not you - Phil he's an expert in work avoidance

Psychobot · 26 June 2007 at 12:08PM

I don't know who this person is.

stamford · 26 June 2007 at 12:15PM

Psychobot wrote: »

I don't know who this person is.

He spends most of his non sleeping hours on here

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/member.html?u=101880

wilf55 · 27 June 2007 at 11:37PM

I got right up to the very end of year 4 and for a number of reasons finished before the end rang my lea and am sure but could be wrong that you can get funding because you havent as yet got an undergraduate degree however the thing was that you needed to not have defaulted on the student loan to be eligible and that seemed the only 2 criteria

1 not having a degree previously
2 not having defaulted on student loan

as well as the obvious eligibility things nationality and those kind of things

moral behind what im saying is the lea would soon tell you if you gave them a ring

i still itch to go back but have a default on student loan due to domestic violence issues and as a result going into "hiding" but cant afford to atm

good luck and let us know how you go on
debs

Psychobot · 29 June 2007 at 1:34PM

Apparently I am entitled to 1 year's maintenance grant and that will be awarded in my last university year. I will get loans to cover the tuition fees for years 1 & 2. If I am in financial hardship (I most certainly will be) I plan on applying for Access to Learning Fund help. I'll have to play this by ear - wait and see.

Didn't complete degree, want to start new degree, will I get funding?

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