NatWest Student Account 2008-09: A Guide

Wiggynut

Does anyone know how long it takes to get the card from Natwest.
do they notify you if it's at the branch or do they send it to your address.

I've got the account number and arranged for the student loan to go into this account - they also sent me the cheque book and how to apply for the travel card (which I did via email but I've sent the form off as you have to tick a box for the webcam (is that correct.. it doesn't give an alternative way to get the webcam?!)

natweststaffmember

Wiggynut wrote: »

Does anyone know how long it takes to get the card from Natwest.7 straight days after the account is opened
do they notify you if it's at the branch or do they send it to your address. It is a bit hit and miss. If not at home addy by 7 days then branch will have it.

I've got the account number and arranged for the student loan to go into this account - they also sent me the cheque book and how to apply for the travel card (which I did via email but I've sent the form off as you have to tick a box for the webcam (is that correct.. it doesn't give an alternative way to get the webcam?!)

I have been answering questions on TSR on this and I can say they taught me the answer to the question. Tick the box is correct. Not aware of any other methods of asking for webcam on account.

natweststaffmember

diamond9 wrote: »

natweststaffmember,

My son has just started studying for a foundation degree at Bournemouth College (two years full time) with an option 3rd year accredited by Bournemouth University to make it a BA. Apologies but I need to highlight the aspect that the bank may have with this.

As a long-time NatWest customer, I suggested he open a student account at the branch in Bath where we live. This he did but heard nothing and eventually had to leave for Bournemouth.

He went to the Bournemouth branch where he was told he was not eligible for a Student Account because he was doing a foundation degree and that was why he not heard anything from the Bath branch. What a c!*p way of doing business!
It was not ideal at all to be honest.
Why is it that a foundation degree does not qualify him for a student account? It is not a foundation year. If he does the optional 3rd year to get a BA he will have done 3 years just like everyone else. He has a grant and a student loan just like everyone else and he is living away from home in a Bournemouth University hall of residence. So, what is it that doesn't qualify him for a student acount? :mad:

The fact that the third year is optional is, in my opinion, why the branch has stated that he is ineligible. I tend to agree with that because with a straight BA degree, it is a guarantee of 3 years tuition(maybe not 3 years receiving that by the student). With your son's course, it seems that the third year is merely, if you want to stay on you can but you don't have to.
My advice to you and perhaps your son is to speak with the student union advisors with regards to the course and the banks that do accept him for a student account. I am sure it is not the first time they will have asked.

diamond9_2

natweststaffmember wrote: »

The fact that the third year is optional is, in my opinion, why the branch has stated that he is ineligible. I tend to agree with that because with a straight BA degree, it is a guarantee of 3 years tuition(maybe not 3 years receiving that by the student). With your son's course, it seems that the third year is merely, if you want to stay on you can but you don't have to.
My advice to you and perhaps your son is to speak with the student union advisors with regards to the course and the banks that do accept him for a student account. I am sure it is not the first time they will have asked.

The NatWest terms and conditions do not require that the course is three years long. In fact it says "a full-time undergraduate higher education course of at least 2 years’ duration".

Anyway, no problem, he is going to LLoyds.

d.edna

I am a second year student, I have applied for this account to seperate my finances, but because I had my student loan paid into my Lloyds TSB Premier account (NOT a student account or anything of the sort) I have proof that it was paid into my Premier account on the statement but they are adamant that I get 3 YES 3 letters from Lloyds TSB and a letter from my uni.

Is it me or does this bank not want my business?

Wiggynut

natweststaffmember wrote: »

I have been answering questions on TSR on this and I can say they taught me the answer to the question. Tick the box is correct. Not aware of any other methods of asking for webcam on account.

Thanks - My card came last night!
sent the form back - shame you just can't call them up to get the card working - hopefully it wont be long.

The card took 2 weeks to come after the account was opened.. I guess they have been rather busy with all the students signing up

silvercar

Thanks - My card came last night!
sent the form back - shame you just can't call them up to get the card working - hopefully it wont be long.

Quicker if you register receipt of the card online.

Wiggynut

silvercar wrote: »

Quicker if you register receipt of the card online.

awwww... didn't realise.. don't remember seeing that written on the letter!
Oh, well... sent it now.. might go and have a look online anyway (don't suppose it matters if they get notified twice)

Thanks:D

natweststaffmember

diamond9 wrote: »

The NatWest terms and conditions do not require that the course is three years long. In fact it says "a full-time undergraduate higher education course of at least 2 years’ duration".

Anyway, no problem, he is going to LLoyds.

Is the degree classed as a BA or BSC? you are right to pick me up on the 2 year course bit btw(University of Buckinghamshire-I think- do two year BA courses), I think my explanation was sadly lacking so sorry about that. I was trying to highlight that the course you're son was studying would not lead to a degree at the end of it but to the option of continuing on to get a degree which I think is slightly different. Do Lloyds accept foundation degrees for their student account? This would be good to know if other people post about this topic.

Lee76

Natweststaffmember,
Do you know if there is a delay in processing applications for the Student accounts?
I applied online and then took my documents in branch to have them authenticated and then sent through. I did this 3 weeks ago (the girl gave me a signed note saying she had done this) and have heard literally nothing back. I'm now at uni and obviously can't go back to that branch. What would you recommend I do?

Thanks,
Lee.