Non SLC loans for students, help!!!!

andrewwilloughby

I'm a final year student at greenwich uni studying multimedia technology. I'm currently doing my final project/dissertation. This requires additional equipment that the uni doesn't have.
I need to buy a new computer and video camera. I need high spec equipment as i'm making a promotional music dvd with vid, 3d animation, sound but cannot not find an affordable way to rent the equipment.

Is there an addional loan for final year students at all?
My overdraft is maxed and my loan student loan doesnt cover the cost.
I have tried many loan companies for a £1000 loan but been refused. Does anyone know of a loan company that gives loans to students????????

Any help would be greatly appreciated

newmum1

Have you tried the access to learning fund at your uni??? I wouldn' really reccommend a loan of £1000 because chances are that you would end up paying quite a high interest rate.

melancholly

if this is a compulsary project it's a bit unfair for you to have to spend that amount of money.... are there no other unis in london that might have the equipment that your supervisor could arrange some sort of swap with?

anewman

melancholly wrote:

if this is a compulsary project it's a bit unfair for you to have to spend that amount of money.... are there no other unis in london that might have the equipment that your supervisor could arrange some sort of swap with?

I agree, if the project is compulsory it should not leave you out of pocket. I would be telling the supervisor as such. I am surprised you do not have access to this sort of stuff (at least by some sort of appointment arrangement) as my ex university (huddersfield) psychology department had a video editing room with 3d studio max and all that sort of stuff, and video cameras, and it was only used for the psychology department.

If you can't get anywhere with asserting that you shouldn't have to pay, I would try as newmum1 suggests with the access to learning fund first. A non-repayable grant is better than a loan. You state you have money difficulties already (overdrafts etc) so this would go in your favour I think. I would also see if you can put forward loan refusals as evidence for money difficulties.

andrewwilloughby

Thank you all for the help, the access to learning fund does sound like the best option.

Darksun

Can your department not apply for a grant to cover this?

Moomum

access to learning fund should help u most, I have just recieved mine and its a god send! I know egg and smile give loans to students thou if ALF doesnt work out! all the best

Morn

I am a student at Greenwich as well, I was recommended to the access to learning fund at the beginning of my first year.

It was a simple form and apparently they have to use the money some how as it is given to them from the government. If they don’t use it they loose it.

Give them a try ASAP though as the longer you leave it the less they will have in the pot.

Good luck

rhig

The access to learning fund does not allow you to claim for computer equipment so your going to have to revolve your spending a bit, if your income and outgoings are relatively the same this may be a problem.

You may be able to buy your equipment with a pay over 12 months credit agreement, this will allow you to raise your outgoings listed on the form. What you fill in will determine your SLC payment 0.xx(income-expenditure) is the formula used. Another alternative is to get a student credit card if you dont have one, you will be able to count the payments as outgoings and have more of a case for help.

If you cannot borrow to buy the equipment you may be able to agree to pay your rent late by a couple of weeks allowing you to have rent arrears which are likely to help with an application.

You may be allowed to claim for computer equipment if you make clear to them the university doesn't have any to borrow and have it put through as a one off course cost but this depends how generous your uni can be.