I hate Natwest!!!!!

peelprincess

I've been with Natwest for four years and have held my student account with them throughout uni.

I have struggled through my law degree - being a mature student (27) and a single parent. Coming from a working class background and being the first person in my family to get to uni, financial help from my parents was and is not an option.

Anyway, I have today been told by Natwest that they will not allow me to have a professional loan to fund my BVC fees (barrister's exams) on a part-time basis. So i'm stuck. Apparently, i've been in my overdraft too much over the period i've been at uni. I even sent in my contract of employment as i'm working full time and on £23,000 pa but it has made no difference to them.:o

I'm a bit annoyed as i've worked so hard at uni and now have been stopped in my tracks due to financial reasons.

Does anyone have any advice? I would be most grateful.

Valley's_girl

Hi I am sure someone will be along shortly who will be able to advise you.
Best wishes
Ally x

CarolynH

I think all the big banks offer career development loans - I had mine in 2000 which was a while back but there were 4 of the big ones offering them then. Have you tried them all? I got turned down by the first one I applied to (can't remember which, had to keep trying though.)

Also, how much do you want to do the barristers exams? i.e. how far are you prepared to go down the lines of personal loans, 2nd jobs (not easy with little 'uns I know), that sort of thing?

cardiffforthefacup

If the other banks don't work out you could join your local credit union, they offer loans up to £3000 I think. They are based on your ability to pay and don't go through the extensive credit checks that banks do and they offer a low interest rate.

Sol00

The three banks which offer CDLs is RBS, Barclays and the Co-op bank.

celyn90

My OH has a CDL with HSBC, to cover the last year of his PhD when the funding stopped.

peelprincess

Thanks everyone for your kind replies. :beer:

I have a full time job already, so getting a 2nd job and studying is a bit out of the question.

I am looking into CDL's so hopefully that is the route to take, but may have to defer a year until I can get some sort of financial backing in place.

Sol00

celyn90 wrote: »

My OH has a CDL with HSBC, to cover the last year of his PhD when the funding stopped.

Oh well they must have started doing it as well. It was just the other 3 originally.

Gosia

Hi

Is there no chance you could try and get a sponsorship with an inn like trainee solicitors get for the LPC?

I know that these may be extremely hard to come by, but ultimately it may be worth a go for two reasons:

(a) You're study costs are covered and let's face it the BVC is 10K or more;
(b) At least you've got a guaranteed job once you've completed your course.

Not meaning to dishearten you but I know so many people who have done the BVC (and paid their fees out of their own pockets by getting student loans etc etc) and 4 / 5 years down the line they still haven't secured a pupilage and are doing odd temping jobs or working in other professions wishing that they really hadn't wasted that money as they are still repaying those loans!

Esqulax

Im with Gosia on this one.. maybe try and get a sponsorship