News

**MSE Natasha** · 16-06-2009, 6:12 PM

This thread is specifically to discuss the content of the

Parents' Guide To Student Finance 2009/10 PDF

To discuss or ask a question about this guide: click reply

Taiko · 17-06-2009, 12:12 AM

Just as a note to anyone else, I will be on hand to answer any technical queries.

I have been employed as an assessor for an LEA for the last 3 years, and have a depth of knowledge regarding support, the regulations, payments, anything.

bobmccluckie · 24-06-2009, 10:19 PM

Taiko
Why not start by warning parents of the appalling situation at Student Finance England that they will experience between now and August?

bobmccluckie · 24-06-2009, 10:21 PM

Martin
Will you please, please look into the utter chaos that is student finance england. The new company set up to administer student loans in England from 2009 is in melt down. I will not bore you with my details but simply ask you to look at this forum as an example of what is happening. People are being told they are only getting minimum maintenance loans and no maintenance grants when they know they are entitled to them. This is a deliberate action by Student Finance England who are desperately trying to clear the backlog by fair means or foul.
Look here
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=176

Taiko · 24-06-2009, 11:15 PM

Hi Bob,

I was actually on TSR before coming over here, and stil post on the forums. I previously ran an "Ask an LEA Assessor" thread there. However, this thread was removed because Student Finance England complained about the corretc information I was giving out.

In a post I made in February, I pointed out they were adding a functionality to their system where if they did get a backlog it would allow them to just non-means test everyone. There is no excuse for the delays though tbh, because statistics over the years have shown the relevent numbers, and they have had since 2006 to prepare for this.

I don't know what actually goes on inside their Darlington office, but I know they are having a lot of problems. Staff do not have the knowledge LEA's did, and have been known to make mistakes, hence people posting here and on TSR about them.

I encouraged people to apply in February when the applications became available. I knew this would happen the moment I saw the guidance sent out, so I tried to actually warn people several months ago. I'm still offering assistance, as with morale how it is, I couldn't care too much if I'm forced out of my job for doing the right thing.

stephenR · 27-06-2009, 5:36 PM

Very useful info for budgeting. I have to top up my daughters loan which is fine but does anyone know how much students spend on average and what would be a reasonable contribution over and above the statutory amount?

Lokolo · 27-06-2009, 5:37 PM

Honestly, it depends completely on the person....

Oldernotwiser · 27-06-2009, 6:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenR

Very useful info for budgeting. I have to top up my daughters loan which is fine but does anyone know how much students spend on average and what would be a reasonable contribution over and above the statutory amount?

More to the point would be to see what they spend it on!

mcallister1 · 21-07-2009, 12:30 PM

I have only just got my daughter to apply for student finance- she hasn't been well and also is disorganised. I can see this is going to be a problem as we will be at the bottom of the list.
She has said we will be supporting her application and I've filled in the bit about income. However, it is clear that we aren't going to be eligible for anything as my husband earns over the limit. That being the case, do you think its worth sending off all the documents etc or is there a way of asking for a maintenance loan without putting in all the p60s etc?

MrsManda · 21-07-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcallister1

I have only just got my daughter to apply for student finance- she hasn't been well and also is disorganised. I can see this is going to be a problem as we will be at the bottom of the list.
She has said we will be supporting her application and I've filled in the bit about income. However, it is clear that we aren't going to be eligible for anything as my husband earns over the limit. That being the case, do you think its worth sending off all the documents etc or is there a way of asking for a maintenance loan without putting in all the p60s etc?

She can apply for non-income assessed which will mean that your daughter will get 75% of the loans available, but won't be eligible for any grants. However it may still be worth sending off the documents 'just in case'.

mcallister1 · 21-07-2009, 1:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsManda

She can apply for non-income assessed which will mean that your daughter will get 75% of the loans available, but won't be eligible for any grants. However it may still be worth sending off the documents 'just in case'.

Thanks for replying so quickly- I don't think there is any way she will get the extra, so do you think there is a way of changing her application? As it has already been submitted and it would be quicker if they were not waiting for stuff from us

MrsManda · 21-07-2009, 1:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcallister1

Thanks for replying so quickly- I don't think there is any way she will get the extra, so do you think there is a way of changing her application? As it has already been submitted and it would be quicker if they were not waiting for stuff from us

Someone else with a better understanding of the system may be able to give you better advice but I believe that the only way to change an application is to submit a change of circumstances form and those don't generally get looked at until after the initial assessment so would not help your daughters application be processed quicker (possibly have the opposite effect). As the financial details are based on 07/08 for this year would it not be relatively easy for you to submit the financial information?
It's unlikely to delay the application much as I believe they are currently assessing everyone as non-income assessed in the first instance to ensure everyone gets some funding in September

mcallister1 · 21-07-2009, 1:53 PM

She called and they said they would change it- whether they have or not I don't know!

mickflynn39 · 22-07-2009, 1:30 PM

The student loan for my son is based on the tax year 2007/2008.
Does anyone know what tax year the student maintenance grant is based on?

bobmccluckie · 22-07-2009, 2:29 PM

same year, 2007-08.

digitals2_t2 · 22-07-2009, 4:54 PM

Plz Tell Me How Fill All Requiare ?
Thanks For Sharing with me
Really Good Forum

learning in earnest · 22-07-2009, 6:57 PM

First of all thank you for the fact that there is such help here!

My son is starting Uni in September and we are about to do the online Student Finance Applications this weekend, BUT you say the figures they want are for the year 2007-2998, but I am disabled and my husband was made redundant 4 weeks ago so thes figures from 2007-8 won't really help.

Also, are savings taken into account in the means tested portion? We don't have much at all, so I feel sure they wont matetr, but does anyone know what teh limit is savings wise if they are taken into account please?

Thanks x

student_advisor · 22-07-2009, 7:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by learning in earnest

First of all thank you for the fact that there is such help here!

My son is starting Uni in September and we are about to do the online Student Finance Applications this weekend, BUT you say the figures they want are for the year 2007-2998, but I am disabled and my husband was made redundant 4 weeks ago so thes figures from 2007-8 won't really help.

Also, are savings taken into account in the means tested portion? We don't have much at all, so I feel sure they wont matetr, but does anyone know what teh limit is savings wise if they are taken into account please?

Thanks x

You will have to provide the 2007/08 tax year figures. If your combined income was over £25k in 2007/08 and is now at least 15% lower, you can apply to be assessed on the current year instead. The best way to do this is complete the online form as requested (i.e. 2007/08 info) and then download the form "current year income assessment form" (scroll down the page under "If you're expecting your household income to drop"). You will need to make sure you include all the relevant evidence asked for for both parts.

As for savings, there is not a savings limit as such, however, you need to declare the taxable interest earned on your savings, so you ignore the capital and any money made on an ISA.

learning in earnest · 22-07-2009, 7:36 PM

Thank you ever so much for your prompt response.

I will do this straight away.

Thank you!

mandy.h · 23-07-2009, 8:33 AM

hi im looking for advice my daughter is applying now to go to uni sept 2010 i am currently student nurse on a bursery but finish sept 2009 and will be employed from then. my husbands income is 14000 my questionis 1.will they count my bursery 2. what income do i declare bursery or upcoming wage

there will be a big difference in our income once i am employed so depending on which one they will use influences where she will be able to accept a place

any advice appreciated as have spent hours on hold to student finance hot line with no success

thanks