Student Loan Application 2010/11 rejected because of 3 year residence period

Taiko

I don't know why I waste my time...

Best part of 5 years assessing these cases, and some Johnny-come-lately pops along claiming to know all the ins and outs of things that aren't just black and white.

It's ineligible, but if you want the moon on a stick then go ahead. Set yourself up for heartbreak.

patrick101

Thank you Taiko, but no one asked you this time. You can rest. It's not you who assesses me and I'll just have to wait for Student Finance to reply back.

And you call the so-called advice you give the "ins and outs" ? "Certainly you're ineligible"? How many times have you been right since you began "assessing" such cases?

All the websites say the exact OPPOSITE of what you claim to know. Even when I told you that I called them up, you said that they're not the assessors and have no idea what they're talking about - they just want me to hang up ASAP. I get that they're not the ones who will immediately assess me on the phone, but I think they at least know which cases may or may not be considered. She wouldn't have wasted her time advising me on the types of documents (doctor's note, tax income, bank accounts, flight tickets) and evidence I need to send with my application, if she knew I was completely hopeless ... It's not like I told her "Hey listen, I've never stepped foot in the EU, but will I be eligible for a student loan?!" and she agreed .. She found my case to be pretty straightforward and told me what I had to do.

I respect what you know, Taiko. I just wish you could've been a little more helpful.

Taiko

100%. Never been wrong. I do not make mistakes on personal eligibility, as it's the individual area I specialise in. 15,000 students who were my responsibility, not one assessed incorrectly.

Users from here, whose individual cases I took on, will know that I've phoned up on their behalf to sort out problems and been told completely false information by the same people. I've even got a nice telephone recording of their contact centre stating "The regulations do not matter".

You are most certainly ineligible.

patrick101

So, what do you suggest I do? Withdraw my ucas application? Should I not bother send the Student Finance application? How could they lie on their website? For the past month, I've had my dad run around all over the place trying to get as many documents as possible to prove our temporary absence, he pays around 70-100 euros for each official paper he gets ... I don't know what to do, Taiko. Isn't each case looked at individually? I mean, I'm sure no one has ever come across my case before ... Maybe mine will be a new one ... Can't you also take on my case and phone someone? Or tell me who to phone? How can I not go to university? Ever since I was little, we've all dreamed in school that we'd go to study in the UK and now all my friends in Cyprus are going, and I get to be punished because my brother never went to the toilet and infected his kidney? I was not trying to be rude to you, but this is my life we're talking about. And I get that you couldn't care less about my life, but please give me any suggestions ...

Thank you

melancholly

i know it's frustrating, but there's no point giving you false hope on this.... the earlier you find out about not getting funding, the better.

your options are, stay resident and work for a year or two (which unfortunately would mean you end up paying the higher fees).... look for other sources of funding (you could earn a fair lump between now and uni starting, plus ask family for a loan).

i'm not an expert on this, but you might find a scottish university more financially viable..... (?)

clinging to false hope won't make your situation better... it certainly won't fund your degree. you've happened to find a poster who knows more than most people on student finance so take their advice; they know their stuff. i don't want to be harsh as you are upset, but these are the rules and they aren't changing.

how are surviving at the moment if you don't have a loan? EDIT - sorry confused over the 2010-2011 date.....i take it the course would be for 2011-2012 and you haven't started yet?

patrick101

Thank you for your post

Okay, so apparently I'm not going to England. I looked into Scottish universities and their regulations are indeed much more easygoing. Firstly, you only pay around 1,500 pounds, or, if you're eligible, the government pays your entire fees without taking a loan or anything. It says that I have to have spent most of my life in the EU and at least one of the 3 year period there, before temporarily leaving, which is true for me. I was born in Cyprus and I was still there from 2008 Sept till 2009 Sept before I moved. Please don't tell me I'm also ineligible ...

Anyone's help who knows about Scottish universities and their rules would be highly appreciated.

Thank you

tomwellings

Taiko wrote: »

You realise those on the phone are not assessors, right? They won't know the regulations in depth for cases like this, and have an annoying habit of telling people what they think will end the call.

You're most certainly ineligible. No exception.

If you have time, could you give me your opinion on my case, I think it's similar in some respects to patricks:


I was born in the UK, am a UK citizen, and hold a UK passport only.

I am 27 and have worked abroad for the majority of the last 8 years:

I worked as a teacher from 2003-2007 on temporary single year contacts

From Jan 2008 I worked for an NGO in Kyrgyzstan on a (80% / 4-day a week) 9 month contract, and subsequently on and off on short 1 or 3 month contracts until mid 2009.

In mid 2008 I also established a business in Kyrgyzstan (an English language tourist magazine) which I ran until my return to the UK in August 2010. The business employs three staff and continues to operate today, although I no longer take a wage. During these years I also freelanced as an English teacher for various NGOs based in the capital.

My application for student finance was rejected as I could not prove my stay overseas was 'temporary'. I provided my business and printing licences for my magazine, business visas, etc, but could not provide details of having maintained a property in the UK during that time (I am on the electoral roll at my parents' house and have never owned a property int he UK).

In thinking that it would be too old and therefore irrelevant, I did not provide a scanned copy of the contract I held in 2008 with the NGO. The only record of my work the student Finance company have is of my self employment.

I have been told today, after 6 months of evidence posting and correspondence, that as I set up a business abroad I am ineligible. Why they didn't tell me I was ineligible at the start I have no idea, but that's another question!

If I am to appeal, my case would rest upon a this 'temporary' NGO contract from Jan-november 2008.

In your opinion, If I send the NGO contract as part of my appeal, what are my chances of securing funding?

Many thanks!

Taiko

Again, looking at individual circumstances, as I do in every case, I would have to agree. Not due to the business being set up, but it's multiple temporary contracts with different companies. With residency, it would usually be a temporary contract with the same company that is renewed, although may not normally be the case.

Sorry, but in this case I agree that you are ineligible. The reason they gave for it though is a cop out.

Oldernotwiser

patrick101 wrote: »

Thank you for your post

Okay, so apparently I'm not going to England. I looked into Scottish universities and their regulations are indeed much more easygoing. Firstly, you only pay around 1,500 pounds, or, if you're eligible, the government pays your entire fees without taking a loan or anything. It says that I have to have spent most of my life in the EU and at least one of the 3 year period there, before temporarily leaving, which is true for me. I was born in Cyprus and I was still there from 2008 Sept till 2009 Sept before I moved. Please don't tell me I'm also ineligible ...

Anyone's help who knows about Scottish universities and their rules would be highly appreciated.

Thank you

You also don't need to limit your education to UK universities. There are several other countries (Maastricht in the Netherlands comes to mind), which offer courses in English, if this is your first language. Obviously you'd need to check your eligibility.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/mar/06/university-europe-no-debt

Taiko

And with regards to the Scottish system, the OP is ineligible for the fees-only award from them as well. 3 years ordinary residence, or breaks due to temporary employment abroad.