Repeating the year/retaking exams

MrsManda

Hi, I've just finished my second year but missed three exams due to illness. They were deferred until next week but my health has deteriorated so I have had to defer them again. My tutor's been wonderful and has arranged for me to take the exams in the first week of September. If I am well enough by then to take and pass the exams that's fine and I can go into 3rd year as normal

However if I'm no better then I'll need to take a year off and take the exams next summer. If this happens, can someone tell me what happens with student finance? Will my loans/grants just be put on hold for me to reapply for them in 2011/12?

Before my attendance on this degree programme I'd had two years worth of maintanence loans in 2003. As I dropped out due to illness these two years of previous funding were discounted when I applied to university this time round. Does this mean I'm still entitled to 3+1 years of funding for this degree?

I'm really hoping the specialists work out what's wrong with me and get it fixed in time for me to take the exams in september so none of this will be relevant but just want to be prepared in case the worst happens.

thanks for your time.

The_One_Who

I'm not entirely sure, but you may be able to do 'exams only' rather than having to repeat the entire year. Might be worth enquiring about. It is something my university offer if you have to defer/repeat due to illness (or other personal circumstance) rather than because you have failed the exams.

MrsManda

Sorry I wasn't clear in my OP.
If I don't manage to take the deferred exams in September (or take them and fail them) I wouldn't be retaking the whole year, just retaking the exams in the Summer. So I'd have a year off, the exams in the summer and start third year in 2011/12.
My query was about funding for 2011/12 and also whether I'd be entitled to anything for 2010/11 (I'm presuming not, but wanted to know).

stuckinmyflat

u might find it better just to take the time off and really get well again, i had to drop out during my second year of uni due to having bacterial meningitis. i ended being off for a year and a half, i went back and started second year again and was funded for fees and student loan for technically repeating the year (as i had dropped out in second semester). when i returned i had to send off medical certificate to prove i was ill and that was that.

hope you feel better soon

MrsManda

Hi, as a follow up to my previous post I have seen a specialist today who has ordered tests to try and sort out why I've been so ill over the last few months. However it's looking like I'm not going to be able to go back to university in September
Even if I manage to take and pass the last three exams it is highly unlikely I'll have had the tests, a diagnosis and treatment in time to start third year. It's not quite sunk in and I haven't spoken to my university yet as I cannot face giving up just yet (will do it next week).

Providing everything works out, I'll be taking a year off but sitting the three exams I missed in May 2011 and starting third year Sept 2011.

I know I need to tell student finance that I'm taking a break from my studies and will do so after I've spoken to my tutor and confirmed things with my university. Do I need to tell anyone else?

Also does anyone know whether I'll be entitled to claim anything in terms of income? we'll be losing over £8000 in student loans/grants and I won't be able to work until my health improves. I have paid N.I. in the past though none since becoming a student in 2008. Is it likely I'll be able to claim N.I. credits?

Thanks for any help you can give

stephyt23

Not sure how you would stand with claiming benefits of some kind as you're on a break from uni and intend returning once you're better so I'd suggest speaking to someone at the uni or at a job centre.