Student Loan/SAAS Question

eco21

Hi,

I've completed a BSc in Computing last August and have applied to do a PGDE in Secondary Teaching - which is all good.

When I was 17 I moved out almost straight after 6th Year; into a place of my own (troubles with parents)

So I went throught the first two years of Uni; not taking out a loan - just working two jobs.

Third year of BSc came and I wanted to concentrate on course and not have to work, so I applied for a loan. I was given £800 for the year as this was non-means tested or something like that. I couldnt o means tested as parent do earn about a certain amount.

Now I managed to get through that year by working and overdrafts.

Now I am due to start in August and I phoned to see about getting a bigger loan (£3000) ideally so I dont have to wor very much as PGDE is very tiime consuming.

So I phoned up SAAS, who told me that they would give me a loan based on my parents earnings as until I am 25, I am their responsibility (finicially in their eyes) so they'll give me smaller loan cause in their eyes, they believe that the parents would give me money.

But I have seldom spoke to parents in three years, so they wont give me money - Itried to explain situation to lady but she says nope, I'd be getting £800 for a year.

Has anyone been in a similar situation , or knows what I could try to do.

Sorry for long post and thanks for reading

eco21

Karnam

i thinktheres a clause explaining that if you've lived more than 5yrs independently you can claim as an indepedent student. im under 25 and am indepedent as i have a daughter. you might have to prove it though.

look in the notes of the application form

chugalug

There's definately a section on the application form that asks you to show whether you should be considered an independent student. you apply for funding to the local authority. You're considered independent if you're married (then you're spouses income is taken into account), if you have a child (new criteria this year) if you're over 25 or if you're under 25 and can show you've been working and supporting yourself for the last 3 years. you need to request the application for funding from your LA and go through the application thoroughly. They're quite strict and you will have to show proof of your independence. They then assess your application and tell the SLC how much of the loan you can have. you've done really well so far, don't give up. Why did this lady tell you £800? Have you already applied and been turned down? Do they already have your parents financial information? I would have thought post graduate your parents wouldnt be expected to support you! Someone will have information for PG funding on here but you might have to give a bit more info!! Good Luck.

CLAPTON

the usual student loan NON means tested is about 3,000 a year so why were you only allowed 800.

kar

Unfortunately you will be considered a dependant student and there is nothing you can do about :mad:

I'm in a similar situation and have considered getting married this summer to avoid having to force my parents to fill in the form. (am already planning on getting married next year so was just thinking about bringing it forward) My parents DO NOT DO FORMS :rolleyes:

If you were to claim to be estranged from your parents as in have no contact with them you need to provide evidence - I'm not sure what they accept but it's prob pritty impossible to prove.

I too am confused as why you only get £800 - The non means tested loan is about £3000 and the tution fees loan is also available to cover the fees (even if your non means tested).

WeirdoMagnet

The SAAS notes for 2005/06 have a clause about Exemption From Parents' Contribution. But it doesn't look too good for you. It says...

...You have been supporting yourself from earnings for at least 36 months immediately before the start of your academic year. Periods in full-time education cannot count towards the period you were supporting yourself.

There are other bursaries you can apply for, and your institution will also have a 'Hardship Fund'. Your Student Services dept should be able to help you with other options.

Have you also looked on the SAAS Website for info about post grad funding. All future applications from 06/07 onwards will have to be made online, so may be worthwhile to look either way.

Don't give up now!

HTH

Georgie

kar

chugalug wrote:

I would have thought post graduate your parents wouldnt be expected to support you! Someone will have information for PG funding on here but you might have to give a bit more info!! Good Luck.

A PGDE is the scottish equivalent of a PGCE in england. This is considered under the same support framework as undergraduate courses.

Just looked this up on the saas website:

If you begin a PGCE, PGDE or PGDipCE course in Scotland in 2006-2007, immediately after completing your degree, you will be liable for the new higher fee of £1,700. We will pay your tuition fees direct to your college or university if you are eligible.

So you don't need to worry about tuition fees at all.

Oh i see about the £800 Scotlands system is a !!!!!! isn't it!!

I would approach the university who will have hardship funds and explain the situation - you have the added benifit of being able to take along proof of lasts year - you only recieved £800 and got nothing from your parents into you bank account. They may well have some 'funds' you can apply for or offer you accomodation at a reduced cost or something.

My only other suggestion is to go to a bank for a student overdraft (a different on than you already have)

good luck

eco21

Hi guys and gals,

Thanks very much for all the reples. Just feel a bit low; knowing that I am going to have to work hard before August and weekends etc (when I would prefer, to be creating better lessons for pupils etc)

Im in Scotland - so think that is why I can only get £800. Its the maximum loan I can get for some reason. Just beyond me.

I think i can apply direct to the University once I am there, for Hardship Loans etc.

Just feel 'let down' cause Im not wanting a grant; just a bigger loan, which they seem to think I dont need it because the rules are set out in such a rigid way - there is no flexibility between them.

Got two overdrafts alrady so getting another is a problem. Was relying on getting a big loan - as have only worked one job in my time off.

eco21

Phoned up the SLC, and they said the amount I get is dependant o my LA - hows that work?