Halifax Student Account. Did you get the full £3,000 overdraft

charlotte_jones

I got my halifax student account October last year. I was only give a £500 overdraft. The woman who served me in the bank told me there would be an overdreaft but didn't say how much.

It hasn't been extended as yet because I haven't phoned to ask them to extend it and it's not due to be looked at until end of Oct.

I don't actually have my student loan paid into my stundent account, it gets paid into my basic halifax account then I transfer money over. Don't know if that will go against me when I do ask for my overdraft to be extended! ONly reason I still have it paid into my old bank is cos the people who deal with student loans take forever to sort things out and I couldn't afford to have my loans late!

jxp

My son was only allocated £1000. It was implied that this was because he had never had a Halifax account before.

mangadarkogirl

I received £1000 upon opening the account. The account overdraft was suppose to increase by £1000 each year. Never happened.

micky_101

I was told I could have £1,000 upon opening the account and then a further £2,000 once my bursary and loan had been paid in. After the money went in I requested the additional £2,000 and was refused, despite being a mature student who has banked with halifax for 15 years and has never exceeded an agreed overdraft limit or had any financial problems with my accounts. Feel they just lied to me to get me to open my student account with them - I am considering moving to another bank.

brumird

never posted before but this subject has forced me into action. Went with my daughter to halifax 3 yrs ago for £2750 o/d but of course after promising the full amount in branch I then had to fight with them to actually get it. So although I've voted as having got what we asked for - it was after long telephone conversations - I think I wore them down. They actually said it had been like dealing with one of the journalists from the Sunday papers. What I'm trying to convey is that you need to be up for the battle. The main point I would say is not to let them think you need the money but that you want what you are entitled to as per their advertising or you will go elsewhere (why not if you can get the same?). Don't bother trying to sort anything out in the branch - in my experience they don't have a clue. To be honest they don't deserve the custom, although they're not alone, but we will be as loyal to them as they are honest and decent with their customers:rolleyes::rolleyes:

qasdfdsaq

When I opened the account I was given £500 to begin with, they said I should request to increase it once my student loan was paid in. They happily increased it to £3000 three days after my loan installment came in, guess I'm just lucky...

carfan2

As a mature student starting at University in September 2006, I looked around and decided that the Halifax offer was the best, especially as I didn't have to pay it off until a year after I graduated, which in my case will be May 2011. I was somewhat dissappointed not to be given the full £3000 immediately and on scrutinising the small print I read that it is a maximum, over the period whilst in University, at the Halifax's discretion. It was only after I argued the facts with them and pointed that I had been a customer with them for a considerable length of time(over 30 years) and as most of my savings were with them that I was lent £2750 immediately. In my second year at University it took a whole hour's meeting with them to increase the limit to the maximum of £3000. Unfortunately for me, I overspent and went over the limit by about £125. As soon as I noticed this (which was the day after), I transferred some money to put me back under the limit. Even so, they charged me a total of £48 which was painful.
For a long time I have been extremely dissatisfied with the Halifax and if they were not so ubiquitous, I would move all my accounts. I moved my mortgage from them years ago and last year I moved my I.S.A. from them. If there was an award for incompetence, as far as I am concerned, Halifax would win it.
So, in conclusion, read the small print, as ever, and be prepared to have to justify your application for more than the Halifax may be prepared to lend you.

glamgoldchic

I am an undergraduate veterinary student.

In my 1st year I got £500 and didn't ask for more. I did get charged £20 a pop for going over the limit by as little as £1 but have reclaimed.

In my 2nd year I went into the Loughborough branch and asked for 'my maximum overdraft'. They just rang up head office and gave me the £3000. Brilliant.

Adasta

I was given £1000 and was always turned down for more. The reason/excuse was that I didn't have regular credits coming into my account (even when I did has a P/T job, it didn't seem to be "regular" enough to fit their criteria).

HOWEVER, I have just written a letter to them saying that I am going on to a Master course (along with my letter of acceptance), and they have now raised my O/D limit to £2000 until next year.

bmbayless

Would only give me £1000. Kept trying to increase it but they wouldnt let me saying i didnt use the account enough...............because all i did was put the money into a high interest account and then never used it.