Renewing a railcard when you're about to stop being a student

Agent_C

I am just coming to the end of a MSc and have a 16-25 railcard - I am eligible for one as a mature student. The railcard website states that you can apply for a railcard when you are 25 and continue to use it for the year even if you turn 26 the day after you apply. I wondered whether the same applied to mature students - i.e. could you renew it when you are still a student and carry on using it even after your course finishes. So I emailed the railcard people and they said yes, even if you stop being a student in the year after the railcard is issued, it will still be valid.

So I completed the forms and had them stamped and signed by my tutor, then went to the station booking office. But they refused to issue me a railcard. They claimed that their rules stated that you have to be a student for 20 weeks after the issue of the railcard - and my NUS card expires next week. I pointed out that the form and online information simply says that you have to be a full time student, i.e. study for more than 15 hours a week for at least 20 weeks of the year, and at the time of application I am still a full time student, and the University have confirmed that by signing and stamping the form. But they refused to budge. Nor could they substantiate their rules in writing - it was apparently something they had been 'briefed' on.

Has anyone else encountered this situation?

MrsManda

Take it to a different train station and do not show your NUS card.
Your student card isn't proof of education status so there's no need to show it and therefore there's no reason for them to know when your course ends, only that you are currently a FT student as certified by your college on your application.

jenny_f

I didn't think it was a student railcard anyone under 26 can get one so you don't have to be a student

i know people who aren't at uni who have them

Agent_C

jenny_f wrote: »

I didn't think it was a student railcard anyone under 26 can get one so you don't have to be a student

i know people who aren't at uni who have them

You can get one if you're either 16-25, or over 25 and a mature student. I fall into the latter category.

Impet_Limpet

I think MrsManda is right. Try a different station. There's no need to even show NUS card as it is not a requirement for students to even own one. If they have emailed and confirmed it is ok for you to use after you cease to be a student then there is no problem.

anotherginger

i got a 3 year card just before i turned 25, so my 16-25 card expires just before i turn 28.

melancholly

i got one the final summer that i was a student (last year) and i finished my phd in the autumn. i just got it because my previous one had run out - but i wasn't asked to prove anything about being a student for 20 more weeks. i didn't buy it with the intention of using it after i was a student - so i didn't aim to be in that situation, but i did use it for the few months after i finished since there was nothing in the T&Cs to prevent it (i didn't graduate til the december!). try a different station!

my_definition

i agree with trying a different station. im a full time student just now and last year i was asked to 'fake' proof of being a student for someone else. i didnt do it but it would have worked so you could do a lot worse when you actually qualify. im sure theres some people fake it

sweetstudent

anotherginger wrote: »

i got a 3 year card just before i turned 25, so my 16-25 card expires just before i turn 28.

Did you buy yours online or at a station? My 5yr one finished July 09 however i purchased a new one, but i plan on buying a new one 1 day before my 26 birthday - is there anyway that i can buy a 3yr one to maximise my discount?

DrFluffy

I got a new one 2 weeks before my student ID expired with no problems.

d_hale

I got new new 16 to 25 rail card few weeks ago. Did it all online and I finished university two years ago.