student finance / loan nightmare

samlf

Hi,

I am a student who has just joined university this year, so I am paying the 9,000 fees. My parents earn above the threshold for any grant but I am entitled to a loan. The loans are supposed to be paid in for you, when you start university (provided you submit all information on time).

I have done everything right my end but my loan is still being delayed, to make it worse every time I call them I get told something different (usually a different reason why it has been delayed). It is also very hard to complain, but I have found a complaint email address and sent an email in to them detailing exactly what has gone on.

What I really need to know is if there is anything I can do to take it further, although I havent yet had a reply from them. Also, I have a direct debit due to come out of my account which may end up bouncing if this money isnt paid in (had to live off my savings, which I hadnt planned to do), and apparently my university may charge me for late tuition fee payment - is there any comeback on them for this?

Lokolo

Has the application been accepted and just hasn't been paid or is there a delay in the application?

samlf

I'm not 100% sure, as it doesnt really work like other loans. As soon as you apply it is accepted, in the sense that no-one gets rejected (unless they're lying and dont go to uni I suppose??), if that is what you mean?

It's a relatively lengthy process of providing evidence, signing declarations etc, however they specifically state that if your application is in by 31st May (which it was) then you will get the loan for starting your course.

Dunroamin

samlf wrote: »

I'm not 100% sure, as it doesnt really work like other loans. As soon as you apply it is accepted, in the sense that no-one gets rejected (unless they're lying and dont go to uni I suppose??), if that is what you mean?

It's a relatively lengthy process of providing evidence, signing declarations etc, however they specifically state that if your application is in by 31st May (which it was) then you will get the loan for starting your course.

Lokolo has a lot of knowledge about student loans - you need to be more specific about the status of your application.

samlf

Oh I see. Thanks.

When I login it says 'We have all the required information - you don't need to do anything else.' and 'Your application is now approved and your college has confirmed your attendance.' It has just now shown an expected payment date of 19/10/2012, however it also said all this a month ago with expected date of 24/09/2012 so I dont hold out much hope!

As I say, they did have all the information on time too.

kloana

samlf wrote: »

Oh I see. Thanks.

When I login it says 'We have all the required information - you don't need to do anything else.' and 'Your application is now approved and your college has confirmed your attendance.' It has just now shown an expected payment date of 19/10/2012, however it also said all this a month ago with expected date of 24/09/2012 so I dont hold out much hope!

As I say, they did have all the information on time too.

My younger sister has had a few problems with SLs. She's in her 2nd year now, but problems persist.

First problem was that she accidentally applied for the loan in the name of "SURNAME, NAME", instead of "NAME, SURNAME". The loan was accepted but hugely delayed. No correspondence from Student Finance, but when she finally rang them (several months into her first year), they informed her that due to the mistake, her national insurance number could not be verified (obviously).

Second problem was with loan payment #2. She'd applied to change her bank details online, and was left under the impression they were accepted. Again, no correspondence from Student Finance, she had to chase them - it was due to a mix up as per her previous name mistake, and they wanted extra proof that the account belonged to her (i.e. bank statement).

The latest problem was that she 'forgot' to sign an annual declaration form last year, so this year's first loan was delayed by a month. Again, she had to contact them, and not vice versa.

Sometimes it's something silly. In my sister's case, it was all human error, on her part. Any possible similar problems? You need to ring them...repeatedly

Janie4Now

OP - Sorry you are having trouble with Student Finance. Do, please, go and see someone at the Student Union.....they will be able to help and will also be able to liaise between you and the Uni.

Did you submit your documentation on time? Have you not had anything in writing yet? They should have written to you with confirmation of the loan details and the date it will be paid - at the back of the documentation is a Statement that you have to sign and return - did you do this? If you have the confirmation, take this to your University so that at least they can see that the money is on it's way, though it is worrying that haven't been informed that it is. It is highly unlikely that they will charge you for late payment.

And next year, do what I do for my daughter.....phone up Student Finance every month to check that everything is OK until you get written confirmation! Do NOT rely on one of those lovely SL people telling you that everything is OK.....it is not all OK until you get it in writing!

storick99

Thanks,

Provide the Student Finance in this time,whose student not a support of the family then provide the finance insurance .

ViolaLass

I was at university 10 years ago and the SLC was no better then. One year they stranded me with no money or information for a month (when I called them, all they would say was "Your application is being processed").

My solution was to write to my MP who chased it for me. I got a letter and email from the Dept of Education who persuaded the SLC to actually tell me what was going on (they wanted another piece of information from me but the letter had been lost in the post and for some reason, they wouldn't tell me over the phone). I had my money within a couple of weeks of my letter to my MP.

somethingcorporate

Having to get an MP involved to help you get your student loan from an organisation that is there to lend to students is absolutely ludicrous!

They were shocking when I was started uni (about ten years ago) and are not much better now. They are pretty effective at collecting their money though! (surprise, surprise!)

DCFC79

storick99 wrote: »

Thanks,

Provide the Student Finance in this time,whose student not a support of the family then provide the finance insurance .

Say again storick