Incompetence at the University of York

melancholly

i refused to pay the fine they tried to give for late registration and they didn't put up much of a fight to get the money - if this does drag on then i really doubt that you'd have to pay the £30. it's clearly not that you haven't bothered registering, it's just the multiple hoops that they're making you jump through!

Rosie75

misskool wrote:

Some unis are a bit sick of people applying for MAs or MSc's then applying for hardship funds when they knew they wouldn't have enough for the whole year. There may be why there's a screening process at york.
Hope you get it sorted soon.

I was under the impression that hardship funds were there to be applied for - surely they wouldn't refuse to take someone if they thought they might end up applying for hardship money?

I think they are concerned about drop-out numbers, though, as this has can affect a university's and/or department's ranking in league tables. At graduate level, if funded students don't finish their courses, that can prevent the department from attracting any more funding for postgrads in the future.

If you are having no joy with any of this, contact your department's graduate tutor and get them to give the graduate school a kick up the backside.

Barcode

misskool wrote:

Can I just check who you're dealing with regards to the admissions? A lot of the times, finance and admissions are not the same people and they get confused over what they want.

(i) As far as I know, both departments. I e-mailed the Graduate office and the finance department.

(ii) I'm hoping I can pay in installments. The thing is, they want evidence of £3185 from somewhere. I think this is reasonable. I've now printed out bank statements and my partner will write a financial guarantee stating that she will make up the deficit tonight, she will also include evidence of her earnings.

(iii) I can understand they may worry people will apply with the intention of supporting themselves via the Access to Learning Fund. However, my incapacity benefit review is not due until next summer (after my course officially ends). I have a letter to prove this, and would assume this constitutes evidence of receiving funds for living expenses throughout the academic year.

(iv) I'm considered in a 'priority group' for the ALF. A lot of other students can work part-time. This is not an option for me. I'm also a mature student. It's not my intention to turn up to university with nothing, and as I said, arrangements have been made, but like many people, bills will be a struggle (what with rising energy costs) and I am also facing unexpected travel costs as one of my siblings has cancer, and I don't think it's reasonable to expect me not to visit. I will likely apply, it is there to help us. But the important point is that I could scrape through without it.

misskool

Rosie75 wrote:

I was under the impression that hardship funds were there to be applied for - surely they wouldn't refuse to take someone if they thought they might end up applying for hardship money?

Most people take it for granted that a hardship fund is for their hardship but you have to convince the university that it's UNEXPECTED hardship. As long as you something's come up that wasn't in place when you put together your budget it will be fine.

I had some American friends doing a masters that got access to some of the funds last year when the dollar dropped 30% against the £. That had nothing to do with their budgeting. Unforseen circumstances of hardship is the reason why hardship funds exist. I don't mean to sound harsh, and I apologise, a lot of people find it hard.

Barcode

Hummm. Unexpected.

(i) Brothers cancer (can cost between £50-£100 to travel home depending on what deals I can get). I don't think it's fair to expect me not to travel home. I'm not talking about every week, that's unrealistic and impractical. Perhaps four or five visits over the year.

(ii) Prescription costs. Around £6 a month, but it adds up. I didn't plan on getting sick and for some reason, IB is not a benefit that qualifies for free/discounted prescriptions.

(iii) Discovery of cancer in another sibling. Travel costs are not as expensive to see her, but again, I think a few visits during the year is reasonable (it's a genetic condition).

(iv) Rising energy costs. Although I am going to switch to Atlantic when I get back to York. It's all very well saying 'budget', but it is going to reach the point where I have to decide between eating and paying the gas bill in winter (I appreciate many are in this situation).

There are other, more minor things. I have budgeted for rent, bills (well, before I started receiving letters about a 22% rise, then another 9% ....), food, clothes etc. I'm left with about £5 once everything is paid for in a month, and I do not live extravagantly.

My DSA is delayed (AGAIN), so I'll likely be needing help with books/photocopying if this drags on.

It's not a desperate situation, but it is very stressful. I will only be applying for what is available. The university seem to encourage people to apply, since if the funds are not distributed, they receive less the following year.

studentphil

My DSA is delayed (AGAIN), so I'll likely be needing help with books/photocopying if this drags on.

Sadly DSA photocoping allowances are not paid up front and you have to claim back what you have spent at the end of the term.
Is it the fact you are not in the UK and you can not have the assessment of needs that had delayed it?

Barcode

I know, in the past, expenses have been reimbused (books, photocopying).

It's just the LEA that are SLOW. It has happened every year, for three years. I had one assessment of needs, they decided I didn't need another one since the university confirmed my needs are basically the same. Fortunately, the university is able to pay for a notetaker even without the DSA, which is the main thing.

studentphil

As long you have a note taker that is not too bad. Mind you your uni should know that if you need to lip read that you can not note take at the same time.
If you have anything like IT technology funded through DSA that is a bit bad if that is delayed/

studentphil

Oh yeah, Do you keep a book of carbon paper with you in case the note taker does not turn up? and then someone should let you have a copy of their notes if you ask nicely!!

studentphil

How are things going mate?