Paid - even though I left!

Lostintheplot

I started at Uni in September, but I withdrew two weeks later for personal reasons. I also withdrew my student finance application. But today I got a reassessment of entitlement letter saying I would be paid a maintenance grant of £192. I checked my bank and there it was!

Has anyone here had the same thing? I'm reluctant to ask Student Finance what it is, in case they've made a mistake and they want me to pay it back.

benedictadams

they will want it back.

You will only be entitled to a grant if you are studying.

Why do you think you should keep money which is not yours?

Lostintheplot

I have told them weeks ago that I withdrew. The letter is dated 13th October - well after they found out. I looked at the online section and it says "interim grant" - whether they're just paying for while I was there, I don't know.

benedictadams

It won't matter to them when you told them

The interim grant will be a payment they make while they are sorting out deciding how much money you are actually entitled to (and i'm sure if you read the litertaure which came ith the application it will say that should they overpay you they are entitled to claim the money back)

You may be lucky and they won't pick up on it

But don't spend it in as claiming ignorance as you seem to be doing will not cut the mustard with them.

lightisfading

I quit uni and 3 weeks later got my loan through... yes they did ask for it back!

Mikeyorks

As post #4 - it is documented in all the bumf you get that you are expected to advise them of monies paid that you are not entitled to.

Their wheels grind slow ..... but they do grind!

benedictadams

Best bet is phone them up tomorrow

they will appreciate your honesty and will be far more pleasant to deal with than if they are phoning you six months down the line.

I know you were probably hoping that no-one would notice but they will have people there who will specfically be employed to monitor any over payments.

Lostintheplot

I think I will call them. Which means navigating their call system. NOOO!

EDIT: I sent them a message through the website. At least that results in someone getting back to you rather than being directed through a call system only to hear "you should visit our website for this information"

benedictadams

how did it go?

Meatballs

Stick it in a savings account and earn some interest on it until they do ask for it?

Although they may want to charge interest on it, I guess you could claim ignorance and ask them to waive that.

si1503

Take the money and run. Thats my advice