NatWest Student Account 2008-09: A Guide

silvercar

natweststaffmember wrote: »

It might be worth him getting the branch to send the things out directly to him if he cannot get into the branch. Is he going abroad?

He will be abroad.

As I said, it wasn't crucial - sensibly he wasn't banking on the overdraft to pay for his holiday - if it had been needed to pay his hall fees deposit etc it would have been a problem. The only pain may be that his railcard won't arrive as soon as he would like.

Student_Nurse_Char

Im starting uni in 16 days as a mature student. Last week i applied to upgrade my natwest account to the student account online - i then got a letter saying paperwork would be through soon. I then had a phone call from my local branch saying i needed to take my driving licence in. I did this yesterday.
When i got there they said that i couldnt upgrade the step account i had so would have to reapply for the student account which was then declined !!
Im really needing an overdraft to see me through to end of september/beginning of october until my bursary comes through - i have childcare costs that i need to pay in advance & not finding it possible to do so without abit of help.
Is there anything else i can do ?

natweststaffmember

Student_Nurse_Char wrote: »

Im starting uni in 16 days as a mature student. Last week i applied to upgrade my natwest account to the student account online - i then got a letter saying paperwork would be through soon. I then had a phone call from my local branch saying i needed to take my driving licence in. I did this yesterday.
When i got there they said that i couldnt upgrade the step account i had so would have to reapply for the student account which was then declined !!
Im really needing an overdraft to see me through to end of september/beginning of october until my bursary comes through - i have childcare costs that i need to pay in advance & not finding it possible to do so without abit of help.
Is there anything else i can do ?

With NatWest, no, unless you can get your credit file and it is absolutely clear of defaults/CCJ's etc,etc,.

friskyfleabag

How do I apply to have my overdraft increased going into my 2nd year of uni? Cheers

Samba_2

natweststaffmember wrote: »

I would say that shouldn't be a problem, however the terms and conditions do state that student funding goes into that account(it does not say it has to stay there, of course).

I thought the Ts and Cs stated that regular funding had to go into the account, e.g. Student Loan, salary etc. I have a £2000 / year scholarship and so have only applied for a small Student Loan, which I actually intend not to use, and my scholarship and other funds (from previous savings) would credit my student account, so there would be regular funding, just not my student loan, would this be OK?
I also currently have a Halifax Student Account but prefer Natwest as they have much nicer branch staff in my area - would I have to close this before opening one with Natwest?

Thanks! x

WillowFae

I do have one more question for natweststaffmember (thanks so much for answering my other ones).

As a postgrad student will I be able to convert my student account to a graduate account after my course, thereby extending my interest-free overdraft for a bit to allow me to start earning and paying it back? The terms and conditions on the website seemed to imply that only undergrads were eligible.

GambitX

How long did it take people to get there card after they had sent there birth certificate and that off?

Wiggynut

RachelRa wrote: »

Rant
I have been having serious issues with this account. I applied online, but then was told to finish in branch. I finished in branch (having to go to two different branches, since the first one, despite me having rung up and checked it was ok to come in, had no staff to help me), but then a week later received a letter saying that because I'd done half online half in branch "too many changes were made", so I had to reapply (This makes me very nervous about what it's doing to my record!) Now I have my account number/sort code. I have set up my online banking. I've got my welcoming pack. However, I have not received my card or cheque book, I was told it would be sent to my branch, when I went in a week later I was told it would be sent to my home. Now another week later I have no sign of it at home and branch haven't seen it either and are now "unsure if it will be sent to [my] home address or branch".

It's been a pretty stressful process so far, and I didn't even bother trying to apply for an overdraft second time round since they have had so much trouble just sorting out the basics.

Question
Now, hopefully at some point I will get my Solo card... now am I right in thinking that this is basically a cash card? So buying online and in stores, etc will be limited. And you mention an option to up grade to a "maestro/switch code, what is the difference exactly? and what is required to do so?

I'm thinking of keeping my current account with Barclays (Visa Debit), since I know I can pay for anything online with that, and transferring money when needed... but I would like to close my barclays account if I can.

why what changes had to be made? did it say online that you had to go into the branch?

I went to a natwest branch to hand in the UCAS and ID part and found the branch closed.. I swear I look it up online.. anyway... but trip to another branch and they just took a photocopy and stamped the paperwork.. got put in the envelope.. I'm assuming they will send it to the branch I wanted to join (which was closed!)
I'm hoping that's it and they will say whether I can have an account with them or not!?

natweststaffmember

WillowFae wrote: »

I do have one more question for natweststaffmember (thanks so much for answering my other ones).

As a postgrad student will I be able to convert my student account to a graduate account after my course(it will be done automatically), thereby extending my interest-free overdraft for a bit to allow me to start earning and paying it back?(yes that is correct) The terms and conditions on the website seemed to imply that only undergrads were eligible.The implication is not correct.[/quote]

natweststaffmember

friskyfleabag wrote: »

How do I apply to have my overdraft increased going into my 2nd year of uni? Cheers

Phonecall/branch visit are the two methods and it can be done since yesterday.