Taiko can you assist?

devildog

Eldest submitted claim for travel grant and one of these costs was for travel from/to embassy for Visa. They have replied stating that they do not repay these costs. Along with the claim for this cost was a copy from the relevant embassy online page stating that all visa applications must be submitted by the applicant in person at their office.
I recall something you posted re a similar issue to this where you said that if the requirement was to have an interview in order to obtain visa then the travel costs can be reclaimed, in our case they were not interviewed but did have to attend in person.
Can we push for payment under the regs you quoted to other poster- Para 54(c) of education(Student support) regulations 2011 and para 106 of the grants for dependents and travel grants guide that is issued to SFE assessors?

Thanks

Taiko

Will hunt out my files in the morning on this. I remember the case, although I think it went as far as independent review and was still rejected, much to my disgust. I had no input in there though.

PM me the details, will do what I can.

devildog

Hi Taiko,
Eldest has had reply re appeal, Stage 1.
They have quoted paras 52, 53, 54 of Student Support Regs and in addition have said

The cost of the actual visa is covered by the travel grant however travel
within the UK and the costs which you may have incurred in order to obtain
a visa is not within the scope of the travel grant.

Additionally, the notes within the travel grant claim form provide guidance
on the elements of travel, insurance, vaccination and visa costs which can
be claimed for. This specifically covers travel between the UK and the
overseas institution at the start and end of the period, up to 2 return
journeys during the year, and journeys between the residence and
institution whilst abroad. Travel within the UK prior to the overseas
travel is not covered.

Whilst I appreciate this may not be the answer you were hoping for, I
believe that Student Finance England has applied the above named
regulations correctly in this case.

Is it worth asking for it to be reviewed by Stage 2 Formal Appeals or is it on a hiding to nothing ?

Taiko

Yes!

Completely disagree with their interpretation of the regulations on this. Any chance you can scan and email me the details?

Rejecting based on paragraph 52 is stupid, as that regulation states:

A grant is available to an eligible student in respect of the reasonable expenditure which the student is obliged to incur in each qualifying quarter within or outside the United Kingdom for the purpose of attending as part of the student’s course the overseas institution or the Institute or overseas workplace in an Erasmus year.

You're obliged to travel to the embassy to obtain the visa. It states within or outside the UK, therefore the cost should be paid.

devildog

Will do thank you

mountainofdebt

Sorry to hijack this thread but......

....does the paragraph quoted above mean that air fare can be claimed for as well?

If so is this paid at the time of the 1st grant installment or beforehand (if there is a whole year of study abroad involved)

Taiko

It can, although it's all subject to an income assessment.

devildog

Update, they have denied stage 2 appeal! Once again they have quoted regs para 52, 53 and 54 and in addition

We have previously received advice from The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) who advised as follows:

In our view this is out of scope for a claim as travel expenses. The travel element of the Travel Grant is specific to travelling to and from the overseas HEI and daily travel whilst the student is abroad. Therefore travelling in the UK in advance of the trip abroad would not be included in the travel element. The student’s living costs support is intended to cover such travel costs. Travel to and from an embassy would also not be part of the cost of the Visa and therefore not eligible for payment.


Having received the above advice, it is our view that the costs of travelling to the embassy were not an eligible expenditure under the travel grant regulations stipulated above.

Taiko

Sorry, not really been monitoring forums as much.

I'll try and speak with BIS again at the end of the week, as the guidance they are using differs to that which I obtained from BIS. Will try and obtain something in writing for you.