Student Loan Help

tjh392

I've been receiving my student loans and grants since September, the Student Finance direct company assessed my parents income, and decided that my tuition fees, would be automatically be paid by them and that i would be given a grant of £3000 (non payable) to help accomodation and food and a £3000 student loan (payable).
I've just recieved a letter from them saying, they've changed my loan amount as they've changed their testing from income assessed to means testing. Due to my parents low income i've been able to receive the highest amount, but now they've changed their assessment method, it has affected me. My parents still earn the same, but the SFD have said i now need to pay back the extra they gave me, this being £1800 even though i should be entitled to it. I of course in no way can pay such a large sum back neither can my parents, they have said if i don't pay they will take it out of my future payments, this being the case i won't be able to continue at university. What can i do???
Any help would be appreciated.


Thank you
Tim

Spend-a-holic

Hiya Tim

Have you tried ringing the student loan people and explaining the situation. Tell them you simply cannot afford to pay the money back and that if you receive this lower amount you will not be bale to study. There role is to help people who wouldn't be able to go to university without there help. I would try to speaking to them, they may be able to do something for you.

Hope this helps a little

tjh392

Thanks Spend a holic

That would be great, my plan of action now is to have words with an advisor at my uni (University Of West England, Bristol) and see what they say aswell. Then i'll contact the sfa, because my circumstances haven't changed it's just that the method of testing won't look into detail at my parents income which is really what i need. Thanks for the advice it's really appreciated!!!
T:j

Spend-a-holic

Thats definitely a good plan of action too. The advisor's are generally really helpful. I graduated in 2005 so things have changed with regards to funding since then but the university may be able to offer you financial support as well.

S:A