CCJ for university fees - affect an employer's credit check?

risky_business

Hi guys,

I received a CCJ for unpaid university fees around 5 and a half years ago. To explain as succinctly as possible, my circumstances changed mid-year when my dad left my mum, I had taken advice from the student union who said I wouldn't have to pay (as based on solely my mum's income I was below the threshold) but in the ensuing weeks whilst going through the process of being re-assessed by my LEA, the university pursued court action.

Now to my question, if I'm applying for a position which requires a credit check, will I fail on the basis of the CCJ irrespective of what it was for and the circumstances surrounding it?

Other than the CCJ (which was settled around 3 years ago), I have an unblemished credit history, never missed a payment on anything (credit card, mobile phone, gym membership etc) and have less than £2,500 in outstanding unsecured debt.

I realise in around 6 months time the CCJ will fall off my credit profile, but for the past 3 or 4 years I have put off applying for certain roles for fear of failing a credit check and was just wondering if I was being silly for doing so.

fermi

risky_business wrote: »

Now to my question, if I'm applying for a position which requires a credit check, will I fail on the basis of the CCJ irrespective of what it was for and the circumstances surrounding it?

Not necessarily.

There was a recent thread where someone was in a similar position, and they got the post. It's normally more about about honesty and being up-front than the credit record.

Obviously, finance related or FSA regulated posts may be stricter.

fermi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3024732

Faye449 wrote: »

Well prepare to be suprised!

I rang the guy who will be my boss and explained everything, having interviewed me he already knew I had worked for 2 companies that had gone bust which is the reason for my financial issues. He said he really appreciated my honesty and that all they were looking for was bankruptcy and to make sure I had been living where I said I had been living. He spoke to the HR Director just to make sure and they are happy to proceed! Phew!

GothicStirling

How do you default on something that the government provides a loan for? Or was this back when they used to pay the money straight to the students, and what you did was spend the money that wasn't yours?

Normally the university would apply academic sanctions, and not graduate you.

MsHoarder

GothicStirling wrote: »

How do you default on something that the government provides a loan for? Or was this back when they used to pay the money straight to the students, and what you did was spend the money that wasn't yours?

Normally the university would apply academic sanctions, and not graduate you.

When I was at uni it was assumed that parents paid the upfront fees, with a grant for those whose parents couldn't afford it. The loan didn't cover fees (that was added in my final year). So if circumstances change mid-year its easy for a few to get into difficulties.

GothicStirling

MsHoarder wrote: »

When I was at uni it was assumed that parents paid the upfront fees, with a grant for those whose parents couldn't afford it. The loan didn't cover fees (that was added in my final year). So if circumstances change mid-year its easy for a few to get into difficulties.

As the OP states this was only six years ago, the loan did cover tuition fees.

My sister went to university in 2004, and she made the mistake of not realising the money the government paid included the tuition fee loan. Thankfully, now the money goes straight from government to university. My sister had to claw her fees together herself.

What I don't get, if the fees where upfront [due September], how could you get into difficulties half way through?

Person_one

GothicStirling wrote: »

As the OP states this was only six years ago, the loan did cover tuition fees.

My sister went to university in 2004, and she made the mistake of not realising the money the government paid included the tuition fee loan. Thankfully, now the money goes straight from government to university. My sister had to claw her fees together herself.

What I don't get, if the fees where upfront [due September], how could you get into difficulties half way through?

No it didn't!

I also went to to university in 2004, the fees were just over £1000 (before top up fees) and were NOT paid by loan. My parents paid it directly to the university and the loan was for living expenses.

Unless you mean that the loan was expected to be enough to cover the fees but weren't paid directly to the uni. I don't think that's the case either though, my loan was nowhere enough to live off even without taking a grand out of it straight away! Back then, fees and loans were entirely separate.

wine_night

Other than the CCJ (which was settled around 3 years ago), I have an unblemished credit history, never missed a payment on anything (credit card, mobile phone, gym membership etc) and have less than £2,500 in outstanding unsecured debt.

If you have settled the CCJ in full including the costs and interest you can apply to have this "satisfied". Ask the University for a letter confirming that the debt has been satisfied and then you can pay a small fee to the court to record this.

risky_business

Hi guys,

Thanks for the responses.

Person_one and MsHoarder are right - when I went to university the full fee was around £1000 and income assessed. If you had to pay the full fees, it was because it was considered that your parents could afford to.

The maintenance loan was for living costs, although I suppose you could have used it to pay the tuition fees had you wanted/been able to, but you certainly wouldn't have been expected to pay the tuition fees out of your maintenance loan, your parents were expected to pay.

To Gothic Stirling's question, the fees could be paid in two installments, in Sept and Jan I think. I didn't know he hadn't paid until several months later.

The good thing is it will be off my credit record in 6 months, it's just a shame it's not just affected my credit rating for 6 years but job options and things.