Help With Student Loans - HERE!

cardiffforthefacup

I think you should follow your dream, it would be even more devestating to not try. I have struggled in a similar manner but now have tuition fees and loan, although the first year I had only tuition fees paid so struggled to survive(I did though as I was doing something important to me). I had to supply LEA with doctors letter as proof. The financial department in uni was very good and helped a great deal, had to live extremely frugal, (£15-20week shopping, no new clothes, holidays or any other things considered luxuries!!). At the end of the day if you are determined you can manage and you will be doing something enjoyable which will ultimately keep the depression at bay. Life isn't all sweet and light sometimes you have to struggle to get where you want to go, but at least you will have learned new life lessons along the way, not everyone has the help of family or the financial back up of many students today, but there are others like you out there. Don't let anyone put you off because you are the only one who can make this happen!

surfsister

can anyone help me for a mate. Son filled in the finance application for loan/grant etc and now the father has cleared off. Can he redo the form and leave the fathers wages off or not? He is really unsure what to do for the best as no contact now. How can he prove this or will they take his word and his mothers of course? If anyone can help it would set his mind at rest. He lives with his mother whi is low income and he is straight from school. ta

cardiffforthefacup

You're mate should contact student services at the LEA where application made, I expect proof of income/change of circumstances will need to be provided. There is a section on change of circumstances in the booklet that would have came with the application form, it will also be on websites related to students services eg. student loan company, LEA. I don't think it is anything he should worry about unduly, things will be okay.

MrsManda

Does anyone know how long it takes the SLC to assess your claim and get back to you?
I realise they've got a lot to do but I had wanted confirmation that I would get the loans so I could afford to go to university before telling my bosses I'm leaving. Am I being overly optimistic to think they'll get back to me before the end of May? I applied in March as soon as they opened the website and they've confirmed they've had the evidence they required from my husband (as my support) and myself.

roxalana

Lokolo - Studied before includes courses that aren't completed.

It is done in years - If you study 1 whole year, half a year or even just attend one day of a course it counts as one year of previous study I'm afraid.

roxalana

surf sister - the students mum should write a letter explaining the circumstances to the LEA in the first instance. The LEA will then see what has been provided and ask for more info/evidence. The students mum will need to provide evidence of separation before the student can be assessed on her income alone. This would normally be something like a decree nisi/absolute, but as this is unlikely to be availble the Mum should ask the LEA for specific advice.

roxalana

mrsmanda - erm no I don't know how long it will take. It depends on when it will be seen by an assessor (as it will need to queue, due to volumes of applications and because usually the SLC's assessment software isn't available until after you can start making your application). You ahve applied early so there shouldn't be many people in front of you in the queue.

Once it is seen, some application can be assessed in 5 mins, but others can take months if they are very complicated and need information from different sources (or were incomplete).

I'd recommend calling the LEA and asking for a rough estimate (they are unlikely to give you a definite timescale due to the things listed above!).

Helix

Mrsmanda wrote: »

Does anyone know how long it takes the SLC to assess your claim and get back to you?
I realise they've got a lot to do but I had wanted confirmation that I would get the loans so I could afford to go to university before telling my bosses I'm leaving. Am I being overly optimistic to think they'll get back to me before the end of May? I applied in March as soon as they opened the website and they've confirmed they've had the evidence they required from my husband (as my support) and myself.

The documentation for the form says its normally within 6 weeks and if you don't here anything by then to call them.

surfsister

thanks cardiffforthecup and roxalana I will pass the info on and get my mate to ask his mum to call the LEA, probably last thing on her mind at the moment! Always help on this forum!

MrsManda

Thanks Helix and Roxalana, I'll give them until mid May then contact them.