I've received funding for a 2nd degree O_o

iSlideOnItConstance

Hello everyone,


Due to start a social work degree in september, though i intend to defer entry to 2014 for personal reasons.

I applied to Student finance for assistance and received full funding for the course despite having not completed my first degree. I was under the impression i would only be entitled to the loan? Could it be that student finance has assessed my application incorrectly? I intend to contact them, however, seeking opinions on here before i do

http://www.nasma.org.uk/uploads/public/NASMA_Eligibility_Guide_EU.pdf

Breakdown of previous study:

Year 1. Withdrew after 2 months on the course, 1st installment re-payed.
Year 2. Different uni, Withdrew in april.
Year 3. Different uni, Completed the year
Year 4. Withdrew, health reasons.

I withdrew from the course due to my mothers ongoing disability, of which, i am her primary carer.

Thanks,

Elspeth-Constance.

Masrati

I would phone them to double check as if they have made a mistake they will call it all back and you will owe the University the money instead.
This happened to me and I only found out when my ID card would not allow me into the University buildings.

It may be that they have given you the full entitlement for compassionate reasons but you definitely need to find out asap as I believe if you have any entitlement left it does not apply in the first year.

Dogger69

Misleading title - you need to have a first degree in order to get a second one

You need to call and clarify how they have decided your entitlement. Three of the previous four years *may* have been disregarded, so allowing you full funding for your new course.

Taiko

Can you post up more information on the previous course please? Need to know the year of study (1st year of course, 3rd year of course etc).

Also, how long ago was the previous? Do you remember which local authority administered your application previously?

Have you provided any evidence to SFE about the reasons you left previously?

iSlideOnItConstance

Taiko wrote: »

Can you post up more information on the previous course please? Need to know the year of study (1st year of course, 3rd year of course etc).

Also, how long ago was the previous? Do you remember which local authority administered your application previously?

Have you provided any evidence to SFE about the reasons you left previously?

2005/2006, the tuition fees were £1300 for the year, i believe. Course, BA International Relations with French.

2006/2007, tuition fee increased to £3000 for the year. Course, BA English & French

2007/2008, tuition fee remained the same at £3000 for the year. Course, BA English & History.

2008/2009, the university i attended charged £2000 for the year. Course, BA Social Sciences.

Sandwell dealt with my applications.


Edit: Yes, i provided a written letter from my GP a few years back detailing my reasons for withdrawing from the course (s).

I will contact SFE tomorrow.

iSlideOnItConstance

Masrati wrote: »

I would phone them to double check as if they have made a mistake they will call it all back and you will owe the University the money instead.
This happened to me and I only found out when my ID card would not allow me into the University buildings.

It may be that they have given you the full entitlement for compassionate reasons but you definitely need to find out asap as I believe if you have any entitlement left it does not apply in the first year.

Oh, that must have been dreadful for you.

I forwarded a written letter from my GP onto student finance a few years back detailing the pressure i was under whilst studying and that i was the primary carer of my disabled mother. I have the letter, however, i did not forward this to support my current application. Maybe they still have this on file?

Taiko

They should still have it on file, and the notes from Sandwell would probably have shown the compelling personal reasons as to why you should be granted an additional year of fee support.

Wwere they all year one of each course? Or were you able to transfer onto any 2nd years?

iSlideOnItConstance

Taiko wrote: »

They should still have it on file, and the notes from Sandwell would probably have shown the compelling personal reasons as to why you should be granted an additional year of fee support.

Wwere they all year one of each course? Or were you able to transfer onto any 2nd years?

Hello Taiko,

Thank you.

I did manage to transfer onto the 2nd year in 2007/2008 - 2008/2009 based on my previous work experience, not previous study. Unfortunately, things don't always go the way we wish them to

Taiko

I think you're probably ok, if the withdrawal was agreed for the carer responsibility each year or due to illness.

One thing I will say though is to make sure before you start that this is really what you want to do though and that, excluding unforeseen circumstances, you continue on for the duration of the course.

The reason I say this is that there is a clause within the regulations allowing SFE to make you ineligible for any future funding if SFE deem you unfit to receive support, and there is a history of that happening where students have never progressed past the 1st year of a course, but continue to apply.

iSlideOnItConstance

Taiko wrote: »

I think you're probably ok, if the withdrawal was agreed for the carer responsibility each year or due to illness.

One thing I will say though is to make sure before you start that this is really what you want to do though and that, excluding unforeseen circumstances, you continue on for the duration of the course.

The reason I say this is that there is a clause within the regulations allowing SFE to make you ineligible for any future funding if SFE deem you unfit to receive support, and there is a history of that happening where students have never progressed past the 1st year of a course, but continue to apply.

I contacted SFE, you are correct, they have taken into account the fact that i was caring for my disabled mother. The gentleman whom i spoke with, mentioned they had notes/letters on file, hence being awarded funding for the course. I am overjoyed to say the least

Thank you.

Elspeth-Constance.

Jarbuhu

I would definitely check on that. I'd hate to see you go on to uni and then be turned down because of a mistake that could have been cleared up earlier. Judging on your education history, no offense because I know life often gets in the way, I don't think they'd grant for a second year when you only completed a little bit of your first degree. Good luck though and I hope you get to find the time to finish your degree and congratulations if it wasn't a mistake.