Help With Student Loans - HERE!

Taiko · 10 July 2012 at 10:18PM

By my workings, your son should be an 'end-on' student, and therefore the university have to cap the fees at the lower amount. Going to need to look over a few more things on this, so will get back as soon as I have time to check things in depth.

Savvy_Sue · 11 July 2012 at 3:24PM

Deep joy, I thought we'd finished with SFC because when I asked DS3 earlier this year it seemed to me that it wasn't worth going for means-tested. Last night he checked again and said it is worth him doing means-tested.

I don't know what we do wrong, but it is always a nightmare to submit our information!

plodder1 · 12 July 2012 at 3:48PM

Hi,

My son has completed the first year of his degree at Liverpool, and has been given a year's exchange at Maryland University. We've checked with Student Finance and they "may" assist with additional expenses (Visa, flights, etc). As a rule, we pay the first £304, and they pay the rest. However they also state that this is means tested - but no-one on their help desk has been able to tell me what rules are applied to assess this.

Has anyone any experience of this? Our household income is approx £80K but we have 3 children in Uni and I'm worried about the possible costs of a year abroad.

thedaleyoung · 13 July 2012 at 2:41AM

i have just finished my third year at uni, BSc in Computing.

I am 25 and have been estranged from my parents since 17.
I was never able to provide enough evidence that i had earnt the required threshold. however upon leaving uni i discover that i could of just sent a letter from my tutor stating this fact.

I have lived in The Foyer, as well as a number of different YMCA's

I wrung slc to ask them this and they said that yes i could of just sent in that letter to obtain the independent status grant.

through my three years i only received the 3.5k maintenance loan.(plus the tuition fee loan)
which was never enough to cover rent and living expenses.

I have built up large debts because of this.(my bank and landlords i could not pay, (rent was roughly 3k a year....can't eat on £500 a year..)

I have sent a letter to slc to ask if they could backdate my claim 3 years as i would of been entitled to it the whole time.

Would anyone know if this is something the slc would or could do?

the academic years are 09/10, 10/11 and 11/12.

i cannot believe that i only just found out this info, i'm pretty sure it wans't made clear the previous 2 years. i have since found this info on the slc gov website....

do slc have a duty to backdate or is it up to their "discretion"

the forms may have arrived late just after the 9 month cut of period, although slc still state that you can apply for this year still 11/12.

thanks for any info or advice,

much appreciated

Dale

Taiko · 13 July 2012 at 2:10PM

It is on discretion. Personally, I wouldn't have a problem with awarding it. SFE may opt to stick to the 9 month rule though.

*depressed* · 14 July 2012 at 11:34AM

Hi taiko

I am still no further sorted with my issue, the rest of my class are all sorted but not mine, I have rang student finance every 5 days for an update but nobody can really understand what the issue is or how to solve it, is there a way of having someone to look at my account and take ownership of it? its difficult speaking to a different person and explaining the situation every time I call? Or should I write in a written complaint?

x

Taiko · 14 July 2012 at 2:37PM

I think at this stage, formally writing in with a complaint may help. Sorry that I've not been able to get this one resolved for you.

*depressed* · 14 July 2012 at 3:23PM

no problem, thank you for your help

x

barilla · 15 July 2012 at 1:50PM

Hello, ive not posted before and i wonder if someone could help me out. My daughters Student Finance is becoming a nightmare. My husband and I are separated but not divored and SF have requested a Statutory Declaration tot say that we are not living together. The solicitors costs for this are ridiculous, does anyone know if I can draft this myself and get it witnessed by a solicitor and if so does anyone know how I would word it? Thank you x

keither2003 · 15 July 2012 at 2:13PM

Dear slc worker, thank god you are here, I'm so confused! Starting an msc in social work. I don't have a degree, my highest level qualification is an advanced diploma. The nice folk at the bursary company have offered 5.5k towards living and 3.5k towards the 5.5k tuition fees. Now, I have a shortfall of 2k (tuition fees) and another shortfall of about 6k minimum for living expenses. Any idea what is available to help with this? Thanks for your help. Not having a degree means I've never accessed student finance before so I am a bit naive!