Dropping out of University and fees

Lancaster2010

I have just finished my first semester in my first year at University.

I am very depressed and no longer want to continue, I am going to formally in writing inform both the university and the student loans company asap.

Will I have to repay my loan back for my first semester straight away as I am financially unable to do this,

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

pinkduvetdiva

I have no clue about the loan question (sorry), but was just wondering if you'd received all the support available from your uni (personal tutor, counselling service etc). Hugs xx

Tixy

Hi

According to this http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/RepayingStudentLoansCoursesStartingFrom1998/DG_10034866 you would have to start paying on the 6 April after you leave your course. Although I think the £15k threshold still applies.

opinions4u

This is a hell of a big decision, and one that you should pause to reflect on before you send the letters off.

Change is stressful. Moving home, losing touch with old friends, finding new ways of studying that maybe aren't as disiciplined as school or college. Only making new friends slowly.

It's tough and making the adjustments necessary to adapt takes time.

You say you're depressed. Are you able to sit down and work out why? Is it family, friends or workload?

Sometimes not enough work can cause stress, in a different way to too much work. Can you make adjustments to fill time more productively - join some clubs or societies? get a job in a bar or cafe for one or two nights a week.

Would it be worth utilising the railcard and getting home a little more often? And after each trip booking the next one so that you've always got another one to look forward to? Or if you're in Lancaster heading north and exploring the wonders of the Lake District?

Talk to the pastoral people at the university to try and work out if quitting is the right decision.

Don't quit and live to regret it. Quit because you've thought it through and talked it through properly. Or hang on in there, make some changes in how you live and see if you can make a real go of it.

Good luck.

bouncydog1

Please think carefully before you do this as you clearly worked very hard to get to Uni and went through all of the applications process.

Is it the course that you are finding difficult - could you change?

Have you found it difficult to make friends?

Opinions4u has posted very good advice - why don't you have another think before you make a rash decision. Leaving home for the first time (I'm assuming your 18/19) is very stressful, but this is a wonderful opportunity for you - please consider all of the options.

iolanthe07

I echo the above - get yourself some professional counselling before you do something you might bitterly regret for the rest of your life.

dizzyblonde82

Hi,

I was in a similar position to the OP back in 2000, I started Uni but felt really down and didn't want to go back in the January. I made the decision to leave and do not regret it for one minute - other people who leave may regret it but for me it was the right decision at the time.

I am now 28 with a family, well paid job and am now ready to work towards my degree which I will be starting part time in February through Open University.

As for the student loan you will only repay it once you are earning over the threshold - I had a number of years after leaving Uni where I didn't have to repay anything.

I hope that you make the decision which makes you happy and good luck for the future.

Sarah

dantheman2010

Lancaster2010 wrote: »

I have just finished my first semester in my first year at University.

I am very depressed and no longer want to continue, I am going to formally in writing inform both the university and the student loans company asap.

Will I have to repay my loan back for my first semester straight away as I am financially unable to do this,

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

In Sept 2001 I started Uni and dropped out Jan 2003, I wasnt required to pay it back straight away. I paid it monthly out of my wages as soon as I started to earn £15k and 7 years later I have finally paid it off.

Hope this helps.