Parents of students having loan problems

Sol00

Yeah, I used to work at SLC in Glasgow.

bestpud

Seems to me the biggest problem here is people would not automatically assume they were still registered!

At least, I know I wouldn't!

I would be able to dig out the paperwork once I'd discovered the problem as I don't throw stuff like that away, but I'm not sure I'd make the connection unless it was pointed out to me.

Feel free to tell me I'm dim...

I will bear it in mind if I need to support an application for either dd though.

Me_Myself_2

Lokolo wrote: »

The ART ID isn't a bloody secret online ID!!!!!!

Its just the ID of you. Just like passport number, drivers licence number. Doesn't matter how you sign up, you get given one.

Paper, Online, doesn't matter. Everyone who has applied, supported or anything to do with student finance is given one.

Your information/opinion/etc. is just as valid as anyone else's (mine for instance), but there really is no need to use offensive language if you don't like what someone says.

lemonjelly

Taiko wrote: »

Lemonjelly, as much as I'd like to go into a lot more detail about it, I'm not allowed to. I work with an LEA using the shared system provided, but because I've been too helpful in correcting bad advice given by the SLC, I'm not allowed to really go into any depth anymore. There's a (still ongoing) investigation into my conduct, as it's apparently not right to have someone who cares about a student's wellbeing.

Taiko - good luck with this investigation thing. Hope it goes well for you.

Lokolo

Me_Myself wrote: »

Your information/opinion/etc. is just as valid as anyone else's (mine for instance), but there really is no need to use offensive language if you don't like what someone says.

Well I'm sorry but its not hard to read the previous posts which all say, its not a secret....

It gets quite frustrating saying the same thing over and over again....

I've changed it now. Happy?

Me_Myself_2

I think some people are missing the point. If a person applies for anything with a paper application, to find you are then (initially) excluded from making an online application for something else which is not really connected (i.e. personal loan, then supporting a child) because you do not know this 'mystery' ID number is simply wrong.

No one should have the right to include your details in any computerised form without you consent and at the bery least, they should have the courtesy to tell you and give you the necessary information to log on!

MM

PS - That language is much nicer Lokolo

Lokolo

So they are connected, thats the point.

Basically is like saying you are applying for a drivers licence for a car. Then when you apply for a drivers licence for a lorry say, you get a completely new drivers licence number. Whereas you don't. Its the same one, its just there to identify you.

Bad example I know. Its just the way they identify people. Obviously they can't do names as all the Smith's would come into complete havok.

If someone went the paper route twice, they would still be connected by the ART ID. So you fill in all the info when you went to uni, ok fine. Then when your son/daughter comes along, you fill in paper form, it goes off. They still connect you to the ART ID, but you just don't know it, someone has to trall (sp...?) through the names to find the correct one.

But yeh, they should tell you the info! Not sure why they don't to be honest.

MrsManda

Me_Myself wrote: »

No one should have the right to include your details in any computerised form without you consent

But this happens to almost every form you fill in - passports, driving licence, tv licence, dentist registration, credit agreements...
Almost nothing is kept solely on paper anymore, it makes it too difficult to keep track.

diddlydum

Given the astounding levels of incompetence emanating from the Darlington offices of SFE, I don't think applying on the paper form is really anything to worry about. It's moderately annoying, but the online system doesn't work properly anyway. There are talks to try and get it sorted out, but it's still completely useless, just like all the other Government IT systems.

Most people who are current students don't understand the ID numbers (something to do with them being in tiny print and being about a squillion digits long) so what hope do these people have? I don't know my ART ID and I only graduated four years ago.

Taiko

I'm with Lokolo. Just FYI, when you are supporting an application or applying for support for yourself, you sign a declaration form which basically consents to the SLC using your information to correctly manage their databases. In order to identify you, a number is needed. After all, there can be, and frequently is, multiple people who share the same name/DOB etc.

These letters are sent out to you, and clearly show. Just because you choose not to read them or note down things you are instructed to keep doesn't make the system bad.