Problems with Student Finance - chidlcare grant

abbey87

Hi
I was wondering if anybody could give me some advice as i'm not sure whether or not to appeal a decision by Student Finance, I think they've made some mistakes.

I'm a single parent and for the academic year 2011/12 I had full time childcare for the 52 weeks (apart from childmidners holidays, xmas etc) and my total costs were around 7500 for one child.
However i've been awarded only 5200 after all the calculations have been made and assessment forms sent back.
They have really messed me around, processed forms wrong, and been very rude to me on a number of occasions.
I'm interested to know how it is calculated, as if I was entitled to 85% at up to 148.50 a week then I was hoping for more in the region of 6500.
I now owe a family member money because I had to borrow the extra 1700 for the summer period, expected student finance to reimburse me.

Should I appeal?

dizzyrascal

I'm not an expert on fees or grants but I'm sure someone will be here shortly who can answer this in full.
My only questions is why did you need childcare for 52 weeks of the year?
I know the grants are paid out 3 times a year at the start of each term so I would have imagined that would only cover your term time expenses.
I'm not clear why you would need childcare during the holiday weeks?

Moomum

dizzyrascal wrote: »

My only questions is why did you need childcare for 52 weeks?
I'm not clear why you would need childcare during the holiday weeks?

Most nurseries/childminders require payment for the entire year, they need to be paid to keep the place open. I was at uni and received this grant and I was paid for holidays too if I remember correctly but this was around 5 years ago.

dizzyrascal

Moomum wrote: »

Most nurseries/childminders require payment for the entire year, they need to be paid to keep the place open. I was at uni and received this grant and I was paid for holidays too if I remember correctly but this was around 5 years ago.

I can see the logic in what you say and it does make sense I was just wondering if that applied to students who only need the service for approximately 30 weeks of the year.

00ec25

you are below the cap of 148.50 per week but it is means tested so maybe you have some income which meant you were scaled back

just becuase you paid 7500 does not automatically mean you will get the full 85% (ie 6,375 not 6500!)

abbey87

dizzyrascal wrote: »

I can see the logic in what you say and it does make sense I was just wondering if that applied to students who only need the service for approximately 30 weeks of the year.

I don't need the service for 30 weeks, my academic year runs for more like 40. I needed childcare during holidays so I could complete assignments and during the summer to hold the place.
I know there is no issue claiming for the 52 weeks.

abbey87

00ec25 wrote: »

you are below the cap of 148.50 per week but it is means tested so maybe you have some income which meant you were scaled back

just becuase you paid 7500 does not automatically mean you will get the full 85% (ie 6,375 not 6500!)

Hi
Thanks for your response. I know its means tested but I didn't work that year as was studying full time and didn't have any other income apart from student finance which is not included as income.

Sorry my figures were a bit rough, my total was actually over 7500 (I know the maximum for 1 child is around 7700), but worked out 85% would be around the 6500 mark.

abbey87

Hi, can anyone else advise about how they work out how much they allocate each student?