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tiddles1

Thanks again Taiko - Any ideas how to try and resolve the issue bearing in mind that my Uni was given the wrong information by student finance? I don't want to quit a course I've nearly completed a year of an have to pay back all the finance I've received (and spent) already.

Taiko

I don't believe it's SFE giving your uni the wrong information, much more the other way around.

Best advice I can give is to contact SFE, give them your UCAS course code, and ask if they have a link to that with the Feb start.

Usually though, these compressed degrees require specific designation, and there's no record on the 12/13 designated course list for that university. I've tried both the SFE and SFW sites.

tiddles1

Thanks again for the fast response Taiko. Student finance have confirmed that the informtion they gave to the uni when they launched the course, which was that it would be eligble for finance, was incorrect and they now state that the course is not eligible. There isn't a UCAS code for the course as far as I know as it was only available by direct application to the uni and not through UCAS. I've made a complaint, which has been escalated to an appeall with SFE. However, my uni has been given the impression by SFE that the appeal will be refused.

I'm looking for any advice on the best course of action so that I am not at a financial loss and can continue my course. For example, take it up with MP or sue SFE as this is a result of their incorrect advice or is there an approach I can take with SFE to get this resolved?

Dunroamin

Can you get together with the other students on the course and try to fight your case that way?

tiddles1

Its a welsh uni and the other students are applying for student finance wales who say the course is eligble. Howver, as I live in England I have to use student finance england and I'm the only one on this course having to face this issue!

Savvy_Sue

Taiko will probably know whether SFE will 'request' you to pay it all back right away, or allow you to repay as if you'd dropped out ... I'm guessing it's the former. Which should at least mean you're not counted as having had any, should you decide to start another course.

Also assuming you get to finish this first year somehow, can you use that to transfer to the 2nd year somewhere else? Or is finishing the first year going to be nigh on impossible?

How much are we talking about, btw? Is the Student Union aware of the problem? Can you apply to the Hardship Fund?

It's the kind of situation where you feel that between them, SFE and the Uni have mucked up big time but you're the one stuck in the middle, so yes, I would approach your MP, but you do need to exhaust all the appeals / complaints procedures within SFE.

tiddles1

I've only got another month left of the first year so I'll be able to finish it. I really don't want to have to pay back the money I've had this year so far to live on - around £4.6k or miss out on the other £2.5k I'm still due for this year due to someone else's error. The uni has said it will look at other options such as transferring me to a three year course but then student finance could treat me as only attending for the part of the year and reclaim payments. The uni has been supportive but wants to take things one step at a time, so I'm awaiting an appeal outcome at the moment. I've not tried the student union or hardship funds as yet. I was hoping someone had been in the same position and could tell me it will be ok - but that's wishful thinking! Thanks for all the advice so far though!

Savvy_Sue

Just a question, but were you due to get a full year's maintenance funding even though your course started in Feb? That would seem over-generous ...

I'd suggest that you concentrate on finishing this first year and doing as well as possible, check on the SFE website what their timescales are for responding to complaints and appeals and don't let that slip, and do as your uni says and take it one step at a time.

TBF, you would hope that the Uni would find some discretionary funds somewhere ... if SFE don't allow your appeal.

And another question, if you do have to pay this year back, would you be able to proceed to year 2 on SF? Or do I gather that the whole course is NOT in the SFE scheme? I wonder if that's something the uni should be addressing - certainly if they want any more English students (but maybe they don't ...)

Taiko

Usually a Feb start would actually recognise this on their systems though, and you wouldn't need to apply until Feb in the following year.

That said, these accelerated courses require specific designation. SFE will decline you, as they have done, unless it can be proven that the course is designated, so I would suggest liaising with your academic registry on this. They tend to be the people who confirm data with SFE, and might be in a position to put things right somehow.

I do think your appeal will be dismissed, on the basis that SFE would be following the regulations based on the information available to them. An appeal needs to be on a technical matter, not just a case of a decision "not being fair".

That said, I imagine they'll allow you to stagger any repayment over a period of time. They may ask for some details of your finances before agreeing to it, but if you're upfront and make them an offer for a repayment period, they're more than likely to accept.

Just did another check on the university website btw, and I can't even see a 2.5 year option. Can you link us the details you have?

tiddles1

Hi Sue & Taiko - thanks again for your help with this.

I was told by the uni that SFE had advised them I would get full years funding for the first year as I'm doing a full years worth of study - just in a shorter period than normal.

SFE have advised they wont fund any year of this course. However, the uni have suggested transferring me to 3 year course on their system but this would make it look like I have not been attendance for the whole of the first year and could cause problems with SFE.

I can't post links yet but if you google 'glyndwr starting february fast track' its the second search result that has all the info.

Thanks again