free railcard 16-24

Nicky321

I have noticed that natwest are offering a free "railcard 16-24" for 5 years worth £120.00 to young people who open a "Student Account". As part of the "Criteria" students must study full time for 2 years on a higher education course.

My son has just completed his first year on a BTEC Performing arts course and has another 12 months left, therefore he has now only 1 year and not the 2 as stated. After he completes his course in 2009 I think he will continue and do a HND. Will he be able to apply?

Eligibility Criteria

To apply online you must:

• be a permanent UK resident (a permanent UK resident is someone who has been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years or more)
• Be on a full time course, that lasts for 2 years, at a university or college of higher education in the United Kingdom (1 year for post-graduates)

You must be studying:

• An undergraduate degree, such as a BA, BSc, LLB or BEd
• A post-graduate course, such as a (MSc, MA, PGCE or PhD, etc)
• Diploma in Nursing Studies
• National Vocational Qualification levels 4 or 5 only (NVQ's)
• A BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND)
• Diploma in Higher Education

You must be over 18 if applying for credit facilities

Flower08

I dont think he would be able to apply as you have no way of proving that he definatly will continue to study once he has finished next year. But its still worth enquiring at your local branch - i have this railcard with them and its an absolute god send!

FreheitOverture

"Be on a full time course, that lasts for 2 years, at a university or college of higher education in the United Kingdom (1 year for post-graduates)"

Technically he is....he just happens to have completed a year. I am not sure if he will actually get it for the full five years. He may just have it until he finishes as a student. I actually couldn't survive without mine, takes £25 off my train fare home

Esqulax

The five years is from when you apply, not the duration of the course.
unless he really needs it wait until the HND, they do this offer every year (or they have for the last 5)
Barclaycard gave me a popcorn machine, a supersoaker, and inflatable sofa, and a polaroid camera. (Ingredients for a successful BBQ)
Diddnt get a barclaycard though. I just asked nicely at the freshers fair

Nicky321

Thanks for the replies,
As FreheitOverture says "he just happens to have completed a year"

As Flower08 says "you have no way of proving that he definatly will continue to study once he has finished next year" but who can prove it?

Esqulax he could do with it now, rather than waiting for his HND (just incase he doesnt continue).

So I have applied and will see what happens.

Thanks again:beer:

Nicky321

Well we have now received the official package which needs to be signed and returned with evidence to prove his status.

Under Criteria it states the following

1) Students commencing a course this year who have a conditional offer.

2) After exam results

3) Existing students/students with and unconditional offer (including gap year students)

This is the bit thats confusing me I take it he will come under 3) - As he is and existing student as he enrolled on the course in 2007 (which the bank is aware) and this will be his 2nd year (but has nothing in writing about an unconditional offer). For criteria 3) it wants 1 of the following type of verification

a) Letter offering unconditional place from college
b) Matriculation/registration card showing current year of study
c) Official letter from college confirming student status on a full time qualifying course.

He has none of the above as yet (dont know if he will receive any) but has got a letter from the LSC about EMA payments from 2008 - 2009 confirming his eligibility dont suppose this would this be ok?

Helix

I don't think you will be able to get the card. There are different levels of BTEC and if your son is going on to do a HND afterwards then he won't be doing a BTEC at a high enough level to qualify for the Student Account/Railcard.

If you look at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTEC it explains the levels. I'm guessing your son is doing BTEC National Certificate or BTEC National Diploma as these are equivalent to A Levels and are Level 3 Qualifications. The requirements for a Natwest Student Account is BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) this is a higher level at Level 5.

dhs87

Never get a bank account because of the freebies. At the end of the day, you could get a better deal elsewhere and simply buy the railcard! Shop around for the best deal, and if its NatWest, its a welcome bonus.

natweststaffmember

If he was eligible last year and is on year 2 of the course that is eligible for the railcard, then he is INELIGIBLE, because he would need to have applied for the account last year. If he is going to be doing a BTEC HND then he WILL be eligible for next year's student account and not this years.

Nicky321

Ok thanks folks , guess i will file the paperwork in the BIN! :S

Ytaya

My local Natwest accepted my student ID card (not NUS card) as proof of my student status. It's a campus branch, though, so it might be different elsewhere.

And they gave me a railcard, even though the terms and conditions say they're only offered to first year undergrads! (I'm a postgrad).

So give it a shot! The worst they can do is say no. You can always close the account and apply again next year (I didn't get a railcard last year so did just that).