No grant for placement year

lisajb_2

It will be my son's third year at uni and in theory he was supposed to have a placement in an engineering setting.

However, in the current financial climate, he couldn't get a paid placement, so his uni were kind enough to offer him an unpaid one on campus.

Got his notification through from studentfinanceengland last week and they have reduced his standard loan and cut his grant completely.

Was advised to phone the LEA who informed me that "we don't give grants on placement years and we reduce the loan."

He had a £1000 scholarship from the uni - but this may not be payable on placement years.

The loan he's getting won't quite cover his rent for the coming - and I don't know how they think he's supposed to eat.

Have spent the weekend looking on the WWW for trusts who might donate a little cash without much success.

Could we appeal the LEA's decision?

Lokolo

No you can't.

payless

believe many uni charges full fee though ( albeit many offer an extra busary back)

lisajb_2

Fees are reduced for the placement year, the tuition fee loan covers that - but there is still rent to pay, food to buy and bills.

payless

yeah notice most reduce fees , but offer increased busary during that year

http://www1.aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/student-finance/support/placement/

bewildered123

Hi,

If the placement he's carrying out on campus can be described as research (which if it's engineering it might be) then he'd be entitled to the full support package - unfortunately if it's not the LEA is correct. It might be worth asking the university whether it qualifies under that exemption.

lisajb_2

Hmm. not sure about whether it would count as research - will get him to check.

LEA did say that his uni could try to plead him as a special case.

Taiko

As an assessor, I would decline this under Regulation 38(6)D, as your son is working, not on a research project. I would imagine the LEA would do the same, and there are no exceptions to this.

Alcmene

Hi

A placement does not count as research.

Is it compulsory that he do this placement? Many degrees actually only have it as an option. If he cannot find a paid placement can he be exempt from it?

Might be worth trying to find a placement abroad in Europe, the Erasmus scheme would fund this!

jollyme

University's are different in their requirements. DD for example if her placement is unpaid then the requirement is for it to last 30weeks if it is a paid placement then it is 46weeks. The idea is that paid work of an unrelated nature can (?!?!)be obtained in the remaining 16weeks. It is also possible that for unpaid placements that the working week may be reduced - for example 4 days not 5, this also allows for the possiblity to supplement income. I am not sure about procedures regarding access to learning funds. I suggest your son speaks to the students union - it can't be the first time this situation has arisen - I would be very interested in your findings. As it is looking increasingly likely that DD will be in a very similar position

farso

Is he not getting paid for this placement?