Overpayment of Grant/Leaving Uni

masqueblanc

Hi,
I left uni about a month ago, half way through my first year, because I hated it. I spoke to what seemed like half the faculty about my decision and all of them seemed certain that although obviously this would end my entitlement to student finance, my past payments would not be affected.

However, yesterday I received two letters from the SLC - one saying my finance had been reassessed due to my leaving uni, and one stating that my grant had therefore been overpaid and demanding just over £300 immediately. That may not seem much but I spent that grant on living costs at uni and now I do not have it. Then, first thing this morning, my father found he had an email asking him to contact the SLC urgently. He hasn't done so yet because he's at work, but I suspect that since he is my guarantor, they are heckling him for the money also - which seems a little harsh since I only got the original request yesterday.

I'm just wondering if there's anything I can do about this and why it's suddenly OK for the SLC to reassess my loan AFTER I stopped receiving finance from them. If they had adjusted my grant down during the year, I'd understand, but I've received only what (at the time) I was fully entitled to.

Is there anything to be done about this, or should I just not bother fighting it?

Lokolo

Grants are allowed to be taken back away from you if you drop out. They are given to you on the assumption you finish the year. You have not. They want it back.

The loans will be paid back normally (i.e. when earning over £15k).

masqueblanc

I just figured that since they're given in installments anyway, they gave them on a vaguely term-based basis. I suppose if that's not the case that's fair enough.

MrsManda

Why would your dad get an email from the SLC? Does it specifically state that he needs to contact them with regards to your application? I'm not sure why they'd do that as it's your debt and your liability.

There are a few email scams going around with regards to student finance, asking for confirmation of details etc so do be wary of any emails like this.

masqueblanc

I hadn't thought of that - I'll warn him to be careful, but he's a sensible chap... better take a look at that email myself, as well. Still, it might be genuine, since he did sign the form as well. Thanks for the heads-up.

MrsManda

masqueblanc wrote: »

I hadn't thought of that - I'll warn him to be careful, but he's a sensible chap... better take a look at that email myself, as well. Still, it might be genuine, since he did sign the form as well. Thanks for the heads-up.

Presumably he signed the application to provide his income information so that you can be income assessed? This doesn't mean that he's liable for any of the debt incurred which is why I wondered why they'd contact him about repayment of your grant. As far as I know the only reason to contact him would be to query something he stated as part of his income.

student_advisor

Your entitlement for the loan and grant is reassessed when you withdraw.

Unless you withdraw the day before your next payment is due, you will have been overpaid. The way they work out the overpayment means that this is usually greater than expected (basically you get shafted).

You should contact them and ask if you can pay it off in instalments. Alternatively, if you are expecting to go back to a different course next year, you could see if they would be happy to deduct it off next year's award, but I think this would be a long shot tbh.

masqueblanc

OK, thanks. That makes more sense now.