Halifax/Bank of Scotland student account 2011/2012: We want your feedback

Former_MSE_Wendy · 9 August 2011 at 7:14PM

Hi all,

In our newly published Student Accounts 2011/12 guide the Halifax and Bank of Scotland Student Accounts are in our top picks.

They offer 0% overdrafts on £500 initially but amount of up to £3,000 may be possible, although not guaranteed.

We're after feedback from people who have applied this year and want to know your experience and if you had any trouble getting the overdraft.

Thanks for all help in advance

nabeelv · 10 August 2011 at 7:35PM

I did not apply this year but in 09 and was able to get my loan up to £3000 a few days ago.

lydjar · 13 August 2011 at 12:15AM

I opened my student account with Halifax in 2009, having had children's accounts them for many years before. Initially I got £500, but asked if this could be increased to £1000 in my second term and this was accepted. Then I requested £1500 at the end of the first year, this was also accepted. At the end of my second year I asked for a £2000 overdraft and this was also agreed.

I haven't had problems increasing my overdraft but I think this is partly based on my loyalty for over 10 years, and also because I had full-time Summer jobs and part-time work throughout the year, so they knew regular payments on top of the student loan were coming in.

I've also had helpful branch staff, for example, I needed the increase to £1500 in order to pay a deposit for a house I was renting, the lady in the branch told me her managers wouldn't like this reason as they don't 'lend' money as such and generally £1500 is against policy for a 1st year student, but if I said I had unexpected repairs to my car but would be working to repay the overdraft in the Summer straight after, then this was more likely to be accepted, and it was!

smalpa · 15 August 2011 at 2:47PM

hi, my son recently applied for a halifax student account. He has a job, money in (another) bank, has several thousand pounds in savings and bonds (with other providers), has never been less than about £500 in credit, no debts, never OD, has one VISA card, which he has never never misses paying off in full and on time etc yet halifax refused him an account. we queried it and they checked again and refused again. he now has two credit checks and a refused account against his credit score. the halifax said they were refusing a lot of students lately and refused to say why he'd been refused other than his 'score' was not high enough!!! SO BEWARE!!!!!!!!

TessaLynn · 18 August 2011 at 4:27PM

Applied in 2006, Halifax gradually increased throughout my 4 years at university up to the maximum of £3,000.

RB25 · 24 August 2011 at 3:37AM

I am in my 6th year of University and despite banking with Halifax for 8 years and having a regular income into my account I can't get my overdraft extended beyond £750.

hermante · 14 September 2011 at 11:06PM

So after last weekend's transition, Halifax have apparently changed their student account T&Cs:

It now asks you to declare:
I am aged 18 or older
I am a UK national
I do not have a student account elsewhere
I am studying a 3 year full-time degree course or equivalent (2 year if HND Course)
OR I have a confirmed place at university and my course is a 3 year full-time degree or equivalent (2 year if HND Course)

So apparently I don't qualify any more, as I am not British, I have 2 student accounts already, and I am studying a 4-year course (though that probably wouldn't be a disqualifying factor)

I tried in August when these T&Cs were not in force, but probably got refused as I accumulated 10 credit checks that month. Oh well.

happyteeth · 11 July 2012 at 5:32PM

I opened by student account with Halifax in September 2009 and so far have managed to increase my overdraft to £2000. However I seem to struggle to get it any higher than this- as I am just starting my 4th year.

Halifax has seemed to change its policy over time. It has always been a lot easier to increase my overdraft on the phone- where staff are very helpful (I needed to buy specialised equipment being a dental student- that worked as a reason). Whereas when I go into my local branch now (as they can't increase it over the phone anymore) I get very little help or advice.

Halifax/Bank of Scotland student account 2011/2012: We want your feedback

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