Refusal to pay tuition fees (2006/07!)

the_edmundator

The NHS only pay fees for the 4-year graduate-entry-only courses. I was on a 5-year course that accepted both undergraduate and graduate applicants. The NHS paid the 5th year for my course and provided a bursary.

As I think I said before, the guidance says that you may not be eligible for tuition fee loans, not that you won't. I just handed in my form (which I had to send in regardless of what I wanted to apply for) and they decided to pay it. That's hardly my fault, is it?

Oldernotwiser

Taiko wrote: »

Older, he is correct. Turning 25 during the course can qualify you as independent for the following academic year.

Yes I know, I keep forgetting that the rules on this changed a while back! I've deleted my post.

apt

You're sounding dangerously like an MP there edmundator.

the_edmundator

I think the point is that you fill in the form, which explains your circumstances, and from that information the SLC decide what you're eligible for. They appear to have changed their minds about what I was eligible for a few years later, and I'm expected to be able to stump up the money on demand.

Oldernotwiser

I have no idea whether this is relevant but did you get funding for 3 or 4 years for your IT degree?

Edit: No direct connection but people who are overpaid tax credits in error can be asked for the money back many years later.

Lokolo

the_edmundator wrote: »

I think the point is that you fill in the form, which explains your circumstances, and from that information the SLC decide what you're eligible for. They appear to have changed their minds about what I was eligible for a few years later, and I'm expected to be able to stump up the money on demand.

They made a mistake and they want the money. You can try and ask for a repayment period which they would accept.

atypical

But if they've realised it was a mistake shouldn't they also be asking for all the 4 years they wrongly funded?

Taiko

I'd be interested to see any documentation confirming your fees were being paid. Knowing from an internal viewpoint how the system works, I know the letters should not have said they were being paid.

the_edmundator

Alright, I've dug out some of the paperwork.

The final assessment status for tuition fees 2006/07 has the following:

Course fee amount: £0.00
Less grant for tuition fees: £0.00
Maximum loan available: £0.00
Loan requested: £0.00
Loan to be paid: £0.00
The amount you need to pay your university: £0.00

I would suspect this is a bit of a !!!!-up, because I don't believe that tuition fees for that year were actually £0.00.

I'm not convinced that I would have been liable anyway. Looking at my 2005/06 final assessment:

Maximum support towards fees: £1175.00
Less: £0.00
Assessed contribution to fees: £0.00
Fees paid on your behalf to your University: £1175.00

DrFluffy

the_edmundator wrote: »

I graduated from a 5-year medical degree (Universities of Exeter & Plymouth) in July 2008. It was my second undergraduate degree, having previously graduated from a 4-year sandwich degree in IT at the University of Leeds in 2002.

Throughout my medical degree I claimed the maximum amount of student loan available and submitted any and all relevant details for this to support my applications. I turned 25 during my 2nd year and so for my applications for the third year of study onwards I was assessed on my own income (nothing) rather than that of my parents. Because of this, I received the full amount of student loan and all of my tuition fees were paid for me.

I have now, in 2009, received a letter from the University of Plymouth asking me for £1,200 because the student loans company have now decided that they will not pay for the academic year 2006/07. That was the fourth year of the degree, and the second that I would have been assessed on my own income.

I have been given no more details about why they have decided, nearly three years after the event, to change their minds.

My questions are really:

What is the legal viewpoint on this?
Can they decide a few years later not to pay something they previously agreed to pay?
Has anyone else had this happen in the past?
Any advice on the appropriate steps to take?

Thanks for any help (I hope this is posted in the right place).

Edmund

A similar thing happened to me half way through my medical degree as a second degree (well third ). Took legal advice and was more or less told I would have to repay it, despite the fact that it was their mistake, and I had even questioned the decision to pay my fees for me in my first year and recieved a letter telling me that my assessment was my assessment, end of story! I even got my local MP involved, and recieved communication from relevant parlimentary educational committees!!!

My position was probably weaker, as I was mid degree, so my medical school could have deregistered me for non-payment. The School did allow me to pay it back a very small amount a month until it was cleared, which they didn't have to do...

Basically, when the SLC/your LEA realise they have made a mistake, they redraw the money back from your university, leaving the uni out of pocket, so they chase you for the repayment. I would take legal advice and move from there... Although the uni obviously can't withdraw your qualification, they could involve the GMC - duties of a doctor and all that jazz - they could try making the case that you knew you were not entitled, committed some kind of fraud and this impinges on your probity and honesty etc (not saying this is the case, but know how lawyers can work to win a case)... Be careful though, as you already held a first degree you were not entitled to ANY fees help (save for the Dept of Health bursary and fees award for year 5), and kicking up a stink might reveal you should have paid fees for 4 years...