Seeking help & advice before I officially give up on uni for another year :(

BecciBee

Sorry if this turns into a bit of a ramble but I'm at my wits end today.

I just finished an Access to HE course (social work pathway) 2012/13 and got the grades I needed for a conditional offer for Middlesex university studying BSc Pschology Undergrad starting on Monday.

However, one of my certificates was missing when I went to pick them up and so there was a delay in forwarding results to uni. I kept the uni informed though-out & sent it as soon as I was able. I should also mention I sent the ones I picked up initially straight away. I do think the 2nd certificate was after the cut-off date for forwarding results though.
Now I'm panicking as my course is due to start on Monday & I haven't been told where I'm supposed to go and when etc (I've researched it personally though).
I've not been enrolled, registered.. anything! In my correspondence with the uni I have an ID number & my UCAS shows I am 'holding a conditional place' but it seems the uni has not forwarded them the relevant info about me meeting my grades yet. Its been weeks so I can't see why not? I did send these results electronically to the uni over email at the advice of one of their staff I spoke to on the phone, as he said I would need to bring the hard copies along to enrolment instead. When I messaged to ask for confirmation of my place I was just told they thanked me for my interest in studying with Middlesex & confirmed receipt of my documents and "will contact me if anything changes". I'm so confused!

An extra problem on my super full plate at the moment, is I'm 21 years and living independently from my parents since being made homeless at 16 and was planning to live in my flat & commute to london (approximately £20 return journey on train). Although my application was submitted on time, I had a couple of issues getting evidence of my self-supporting status and income for the last 3 years from the jobcentre to send to student finance, and so face another 4 week (potentially longer) wait for any sort of money or incomewhile they process.
Hypothetically speaking, if I can solve the above issue with my uni place, I'm still in a lot of hot water as to living expenses and travel costs into London everyday while I wait for student finance.
Just to clarify, I have bad credit and do not have an overdraft or access to it. I'm refused credit when I try to get a normal loan & I don't have any close friends or family in a position to help me financially. Theres no such thing as a budgeting or crisis loan from the job centre any more and I'm at an absolute loss as to what I'm supposed to do.
If I don't attend university, I wont be granted finance.. so its a very vicious circle.

Has anyone got any advice for my situation? Or clarification for the bits I'm confused with?
I really don't know what to do, I'm undeniably gutted & can't face another year of sitting on my bum on benefits struggling to find a job. I'd worked so hard all year in preparation for this September but now it looks like I've messed it up at the last hurdles.

Thanks in advance!
Becci

ska_lover

Becci, do not give up, you have come too far hunny.

I am by far NOT an expert, I am sure someone who is better qualified to help will be along in a moment, but it may be a great idea to go into the uni personally and get it sorted out face to face.

fingers crossed for you x

devildog

I feel for you, what a palava!
You wouldn't be registered or enrolled until you actually are in attendance. I think your biggest issue is not actually knowing whether you have actually been given a place, I think firstly , as already mentioned I would go to the uni tomorrow and take the hard copies of your qualifications and demand some answers! It seems bizarre that ucas is still showing as you having a conditional offer, it appears that communication has broken down somewhere or someone has become extremely confused(perhaps 2 potential students with the same name?)
If they confirm that you do have a place I would maybe go and see whoever is responsible for finance down there (tomorrow) and explain to them what has happened and see if they can may be grant you a payment from the hardship fund(or called something to that affect) to tide you over.
It appears that you have been a victim of circumstances and I hope that they look on you favourably good luck!!!

popadom

Hi
I am a returning second year student who was also an independant student(21 now), I also did a Access course so I know what your going through.

The first thing to do, tommorrow, is go to the university. They get swampped with emails, and I have waited weeks before for a reply. Call, so much quicker, then ask to be confimred by email( a place accepted)
You want to ask:
- Have you got my certficates
-Have I been accepted/ if so will UCAS be updated?
-How do I enrol? (Some times you enroll online, then enroll on site(very quick) to pick your card up)
If you go down, you might be able to do it then and there.


I have just gone through enrollment for year two this week. You should have to bring your student fiance letter,your grades(although, i didnt even get asked for mine) along with proof of address(just incase) and they'll confirm you and give you a card.
Once this is done, your student fiance will be sorted.

Despite what it says, in my expeierence, it took about a week to get the money. It was quicker in year two. if you sent all the info in before the cut of date, it will be in within a week of enrolment.

Universities also have emergency funds. Once your an offical student, find student services, they'll have a money section. They will want details of your income/outgoings . If you need money urgently, some offer loans, as opposed to grants.

It will get sorted! Promise. Student finance lost my things despite me handing them in early, the job centre took ages too but it all sorted out in the end.

They are busy, but you need to be proactive, go down there, and get enrolled, and also pick up forms for bursaries/loans. The loans should be quicker, and I don't think they are stupid intrest rates, but grants would be better- no repayment.

GOOD LUCK!

silvercar

You can forget UCAS at this stage. Concentrate on your uni. Once you give them the necessary paperwork they can register you, once registered your finance should come through.

UCAS showing a conditional place means that the university are still holding a place for you. Once you are registered at the university, it no longer matters what your UCAS status shows.