Do I apply to Student Finance England or Student Finance Wales?

Mummy_Moo

Hi.

Sorry if this is a little confusing, I'll try to explain it as simply as possible....

I'm a 24 year old single parent who has already completed a BSc degree. I am due to start a postgraduate certificate course (with Early Years teacher status) in September 2013 at Chester University (England).

I am currently living in England (and have done all my life), so I applied for my Maintenance Loan and Special Support Grant through Student Finance England. I have sent off all of my evidence and am still waiting for this application to be processed.

Since sending off my application to Student Finance England I have found a house that is nearer to the university, I should be moving into this house on 1st September. The new house is in Wales (but is still closer to Chester University than my current home).

Can I just wait for my application with Student Finance England to complete? Or will I need to cancel this application and apply through Student Finance Wales? How would this work, as my current address and the university I will be attending are both in England?

Also, I will be relying on the Childcare Grant to cover the costs of childcare for my daughter. Without this it will not be possible for me to attend university. I have found a lovely nursery near to the new house in Wales. Student Finance England will only pay the grant for Ofsted registered childcare, the nursery I have found is not Ofsted registered as they don't have Ofsted in Wales (Welsh nurseries are inspected by the CSSIW instead). Student Finance Wales won't let me apply for the Childcare Grant unless I submit a student finance application (maintenance loan / grant etc.)

I hope this makes sense, I would love to email either Student Finance England/Wales about this but both refuse to provide an email address, so I need to wait until I can get through on the phone. Any advice in the mean time would be greatly appreciated. I'm getting quite stressed about this now, as without the support from Student Finance I will not be able to afford the new house or attend university.

Thank you for your help.

joolsybools

My understanding is that your application should be made through SFE so it looks like you have done the right thing.

You can always phone them, the geographical number for SFE is 01325 215000. The will answer Student Loan Company but say you want to speak to someone about your SFE application.

SLC_adviser

Hi Moo,

I have checked with assessors at both SF England and SF Wales on your behalf.

As you have ordinarily been resident in England your student finance will be provided by SFE.

You can still apply for and received a Childcare Grant even if your chidcare provider is based in Wales as long as they are registered and approved by Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW).

Hope this helps,
Mark-Lee