PDF Parents' Guide To Student Finance 2009/10 Discussion

Savvy_Sue

No, your credit rating is nothing to do with her student loan application.

Main thing is that she gets the "Don't do as I do, do as I tell you" message where money is concerned. It is perfectly possible to live within one's means on a student loan, but only if you are sensible. For 'extras', a part-time job now or during all holidays or during uni term-time is the way to go. Because you presumably won't be in a position to bail her out if her loan goes on clothes / drinks / going out in the first week.

With that in mind, have you pointed the Teen Cash Class out to her?

slim_bird

I don't think that your credit rating should have any impact on your daughters application for loans.The loans will be in her name.

I phoned the student finance people yesterday to query the fact they were assessing applicants eligibilty for student grants based on income for 2008/09. Still can't get my head round that one and feel it should be based on income for 2009/2010.

Anyway.I was told that there's going to be a form added onto the Direct.gov site in about one months time that can be completed with current income details. Not sure if this will help your cause but hopefully it might allow you to inform 'them' of your current situation. Fingers crossed you get something.


Good Luck

mrsmac65

This was my first ever post and I'm so grateful for all the replies and help. I feel so much better - I was feeling that our stupidity would affect her future. Going to have a (small) glass of wine in relief now.

In terms of money wise - I think she could teach us a thing or too! She has been working since her 16th birthday (she's 18 next month), and has never asked us for money since then. When our finances became so bad, I 'fessed up and explained what was going on - I think she knew, she often answered the constant calls from our creditors, and saw the pile of letters :eek:. I'm so proud of how she handles her money, I wish I had been more like that. She knows she needs to work whilst at Uni, although I think she'd prefer bar work.....:beer:

slim_bird

Dear Savvy Sue

I totally agree with you. However, not everyone will be able to live off their loan. My daughter's got a conditional offer to do Law. Her tuition and maintenance loan won't cover it. There's going to be around £800 to find !!
I guess it depends on which uni they are applying for.

I've got a niece at uni who only has 7 hours of tuition/week !!!!

By my calculations that leaves an awful lot of hours to either lie in bed or heaven forbid, do that dirty word......WORK!!!

There's no easy way of getting through uni.

Savvy_Sue

slim_bird wrote: »

I phoned the student finance people yesterday to query the fact they were assessing applicants eligibilty for student grants based on income for 2008/09. Still can't get my head round that one and feel it should be based on income for 2009/2010.

I know, that one's been going on for a couple of years now, it's a nightmare ever year trying to find P60s etc from more than a year back (and yes I know I should put them in a safe place!)

slim_bird

Mrsmac

You've got a great daughter there.
I was referring to my niece and getting a job and not yours by the way.

In years to come when she's got her degree and earning she'll repay you both the lifestyle you've given to her.

We can't be good at everything and i think i'd rather have great parents anyday. It's just flipping money at the end of the day not the end of the world. You'll get straight eventually.

Good luck

Taiko

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I know, that one's been going on since last year, it's a nightmare ever year trying to find P60s etc from more than a year back (and yes I know I should put them in a safe place!)

Fixed that for you.

Savvy_Sue

Typing in a hurry ...

I think what I meant was that in DS1's final year, he wasn't declaring our income, because before fees went up to £3000+ it wasn't worth it. That coincided with DS2's first year, but he got a small amount of grant by declaring our income. Then for his second year he thought it wasn't worth doing, but I thought it was, and that he'd get at least £50. He was fussing about needing P60s etc, but then I realised that the figures they were asking for were the ones they'd already got for his first year.

All of which has reminded me to ask DS2 if he ever did get a reassessment! and if so, was it worth it ...

debby

My daughter applied for her Student finance back in July 2009..all she has had so far is money to pay her rent...she is still waiting for her Grant and bursary from Uni.
The thing with SF is....they have never ever contacted us when they needed more info from us...its always i have phoned after a few weeks/months has gone by to see where they are up to..then they tell me on the phone 'oh we need this form from you' 'we need a letter from so and so'
they are driving me mad.
How much longer is my daughter going to have to wait, she like a many others in the same situation have had their first year of living away from home ruined because of this stupid company. She can now apply for next years money, and they havent even sorted this years out, incompetence! :mad:

Sylvia*J_2

My son is also waiting for his grant. The only we found they needed more info was by phoning Student Finance. The is a lack of communication on the side of Student finance which needs to be addressed. My son did try to apply online for this nexts years money, but cannot apply until this years farse is sorted.