PDF Parents' Guide To Student Finance 2009/10 Discussion

Oldernotwiser

What the good Lord put photocopiers in the world for!

(No help, I know.)

Savvy_Sue

No, I haven't found last year's forms, but earlier today I was ranting quietly to DS1 about the difficulty of reconstructing them from first principles (I had two P60s that year and can only get a copy of one of them with any ease), and the temptation to just write on the form "Please use last year's figures because they haven't changed" when DS2 said "Oh yeah, the person at Student Finance said you wouldn't need to fill in the finance form because the figures would be the same as last year." :j:j:j along with a bit :mad: at him for not mentioning it earlier! :rotfl:

I just have to hope that they assume that DS3 is staying on to do his A2s (he is). I'll wait and see what the revised assessment for DS2 is, and if it's only £50 I'll ring and check they still counted DS3 as a dependent child. But not until things have settled down a bit.

Trebor40

My sons application was submitted in June and confirmation of the tution fee and maintenance loan has been received but we submitted information for a means test but so far no confirmaton of that. Can any one advise how we ensure this is being progressed? Also he has taken a year out and worked during the tax year 08/09 & 09/10 will this effect any payment under means testing next year - our income is likely to remain under 24,000.

Savvy_Sue

Trebor40 wrote: »

My sons application was submitted in June and confirmation of the tution fee and maintenance loan has been received but we submitted information for a means test but so far no confirmaton of that. Can any one advise how we ensure this is being progressed?

Short of hanging on the phone I'm not sure there is a way, sorry ... although someone may correct me! They did admit that they've just assessed basic eligibility in the first instance and are doing a separate exercise to calculate grant entitlement, didn't they?

Trebor40 wrote: »

Also he has taken a year out and worked during the tax year 08/09 & 09/10 will this effect any payment under means testing next year - our income is likely to remain under 24,000.

Can't be sure, but I seem to recall that although they ask about the student's income, they don't assess it.

Hopefully one of the more knowledgeable people will come along soon ...

MrsManda

Service updates from SFE

Why does my financial assessment not take account of my household income?

While every effort will be made to pay you at the start of your course, in some cases Student Finance England may not have received your application or evidence on time.
As long as you are eligible for student finance, you will receive an initial payment - and any additional money due to you will be calculated and paid as soon as possible afterwards. This will be set out for you in a new financial assessment.
This has been done because it is the fastest, most efficient way to ensure some late applicants receive money in time for the start of their course. Late applications are being turned around as quickly as possible and prioritised according to the date your term starts.

What does ‘applying on time’ mean - and what do I do if I’ve applied late?

Student Finance England has recommended application guidelines to guarantee payment at the start of your course.
If you applied before these dates and have supplied the evidence asked for by Student Finance England, you will be paid on time and receive the correct amount.
The application guideline dates were:

• 24 April for students who did not wish their household income to be taken into account
• 22 May for returning students who did wish their household income to be taken into account
• 26 June for new students who did wish their household income to be taken into account

Even if you did not apply by these dates, every effort will be made to pay you on time - and in some cases a provisional payment will be made.

chinu

On the student finance calculator does 'living at home' mean before going to Uni or during Uni term times

Savvy_Sue

During Uni term times.

mrsmac65

Its my first every MSE post, so hello everyone

Our daughter is hoping to go to University in September 2010, but we have had a debt management plan in place since October 2008 and are gradually clearing our debts.

My question is that our money is so tight, but our combined income is around £60k which would mean that she wouldn't be able to get any help. i'm really panicking - we've been stupid with money, and have learnt a lesson the hard way, but now it could impact on her and her future. If she isn't able to get funding, she can't go, as we only have a clear £300 per month and that's not enought I know.

I haven't filled in any applications for funding yet, am I panicking unneccessarily?

Finally - we have a terrible credit record - will that affect her, and stop her getting any student loans?

Lokolo

mrsmac65 wrote: »

Its my first every MSE post, so hello everyone

Our daughter is hoping to go to University in September 2010, but we have had a debt management plan in place since October 2008 and are gradually clearing our debts.

My question is that our money is so tight, but our combined income is around £60k which would mean that she wouldn't be able to get any help. i'm really panicking - we've been stupid with money, and have learnt a lesson the hard way, but now it could impact on her and her future. If she isn't able to get funding, she can't go, as we only have a clear £300 per month and that's not enought I know.

I haven't filled in any applications for funding yet, am I panicking unneccessarily?

Finally - we have a terrible credit record - will that affect her, and stop her getting any student loans?

She can get student loans. Your income effects possible grants and bursaries as well as extra loan.

http://www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=153,4680136&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Fill in those details and it will get an estimate of what she will be entitled to.

She can also apply for student finance now, which I thoroughly recommends she does. The sooner the better.

mrsmac65

thanks Lokolo

Just done as you said, and it seems to be saying that she could access a maintenance loan and a loan for her tuition fees. She has an interview at Uni next week, so I think we will do the finance application next week. Will our poor credit rating count against her?