Student loans for very mature students

davestretty

OOOOh hi Fbaby, another member of the MSE forum trolling club surfaces. How much time must you spend searching for posts to troll (I've read your other posts). I guess you feel this is a "benefit to society". Personally I prefer to spend my time studying to qualify as a counsellor which will "benefit society" well past my normal retirement age. Get back in touch in 3 years - I may be able to help you! I won't even charge as I intend to join the voluntary sector.

davestretty

BTW my daughter will be subsidised from my savings built up over 40+ years of work (never been out of work, never claimed unemployment benefit, never avoided taxes) as my student loan will not even cover my living costs. (Fbaby do you have any experience of the real world)

Indie_Kid

I find this whole thread bizarre. Surely you go to uni because you want to study, and not to scrounge more money off the government?

davestretty

So Indie Kid you've really pinned your colours to the mast haven't you! You to think students are scroungers do you. I suppose parents who accept child benefit, that they also are entitled to, are scroungers as well in your world (Maybe pensioners as well!).
Or is just that you've posted without really reading and understanding the whole thread? I'll be generous and assume it's ignorance (the latter).

Indie_Kid

Well done on completely missing my point. Some of your posts do imply that because your wife / you are missing out on years of a state pension, you'll just go and study and not pay back the loan.

Most students do pay back their loans. They also go in with mostly the intention of getting a job at the end, instead of seeing it as an alternative to working.

pinpin

Good stuff, Davestretty!
Interesting thread. Looks like you were right to ignore a number of posters and you WERE right in your understanding!

Go get 'em!
Good luck

szam_

davestretty wrote: »

So Indie Kid you've really pinned your colours to the mast haven't you! You to think students are scroungers do you. I suppose parents who accept child benefit, that they also are entitled to, are scroungers as well in your world (Maybe pensioners as well!).
Or is just that you've posted without really reading and understanding the whole thread? I'll be generous and assume it's ignorance (the latter).

You come across as incredibly rude and arrogant and have done since early on in this thread, two years ago. It's no wonder you rub people up the wrong way.

Some of your replies towards people are astonishing, mostly unnecessary personal attacks, well above any other criticism from anyone else towards you which are mostly just doubts of motive etc. But by your view of people, I would take a stab that I'm likely just another troll to you, so I'll get back under my bridge shortly.

However, I can only agree with other posters on the motive of going to Uni based on the first few posts. I wish I had that option of free (in fact, being handed money without ever having to pay it back), I would love to study Astrophysics, alas, it will never happen because I'd be financially screwed.

davestretty

Hi Szam,
Does defending myself against personal judgement and criticism based on ignorance and misunderstanding make me rude and arrogant - maybe, plenty of others on here don't think so, BUT
I don't tolerate stupidity
I don't tolerate ignorance based criticism.
I don't accept biased and ill informed judgement.
My replies are born of anger/chagrin rather than rudeness/arrogance.
This forum is for advice and help - which I originally asked for.
As I said earlier (please read) my motive is irrellevant and nobody else's business. All that matters is my motivation to complete the course and use the knowledge gained which I don't doubt and you can't judge. (if you can't understand the difference astrophysics is definately not for you).
My aim initally was to determine for myself (and others) whether student finance was available to students passing the age of 60, as Cameron seems to think in this case age discrimination is acceptable, and the older person can be ignored/written off.
I have clarified that to the obvious dissapointment of certain forumites, many of whom decided to judge and criticise me in earlier posts (again please read). I see that now he has been proved wrong Taiko has had the courtesy to depart this post, glad to have improved your knowledge. None us of are too old to learn.
Szam If you look carefully into it (as I had to) you may find out that you can afford university (apparently the student loan system does not provide a financial barrier to higher education, but rather a help - see Tory manifesto).
BTW when Cameron (et al) volunteers to pay for his privileged university education I will gladly pay up front for mine. In the meantime I will follow their rules and accept whatever financial assistance I am ENTITLED to and not a penny more, and repay as and when I am required.

Taiko

I've not departed, just merely hoped it had died a death. Unfortunately, death only takes the good, which would explain the resurgence.

The regulations still back up that I was right, and you always failed to prove otherwise. Interesting though that it was a local college that took you, not an actual university. Maybe they'd realised your actual intentions...

davestretty

davestretty wrote: »

Taiko replied: Not quite. When you get to 60, you won't be eligible for the maintenance loan or maintenance grant.

Taiko thanks for your reply. Are you sure that is the case? After visiting Directgov my interpretation of the entitlement to maintenance grant/loan is that as long as you commence the course before your 60th birthday you continue to be entitled throughout the course length. If this was not the case it would be impossible to continue after 60 for anyone without private funds (although this should not be unexpected form the rich tory gang in power) as everything they have done since the election favours the very well off over the "middle incomers". Also would this not contravene the age discrimination act? Once again I ask Martin to look into this for definitive advice as I couldn't possible start a degree course at 59 only to lose maintenance funding at 60.

Taiko see the first line! I see you are still here also! (maybe you are not so good?)
You made this a very personal attack on me from the begining and I have enjoyed proving you wrong in everyway.
You were wrong, I have confirmation personally that if you start a degree course before 60 (eg 59) the maintenance loan and grant element continues past 60 to the end of the course. THAT IS NOW FACT.
My local college is of course part of a larger University and chosen for my convenience. Your tone seems to imply you think these are inferior - maybe that reflects your own background and prejudices, did you study at a "real university"? I'm sure all the students of these lowly establishments ("not an actual university") would be interested in your dismissal of their worth.
You are correct in assuming the college realised my actual intentions - that is why they offered me an unconditional place!
I hope you will now amend your advice to older students to include your new found knowledge.(see even you can be re-educated!)
Be the bigger man and acknowledge that I have helped even you.