Uni fee - help and advice

Unioldguy

Hi there,

Around 5 years ago, I went to University as a mature student and halfway through, my Nan - who I was close to - passed away. I was all over the place and lost my way on the course, within 6 months I had been removed from it due to missed time.

I was gutted.

I had already received a payment towards the first 6 months of the course which paid for my travel (I had to get a Ferry and Bus) and so the money was all used up.

I didn't get my second, nor my third payment - quite rightly!

I sunk into a really big depression for nearly 3 years, with things getting out of hand, my partner then cheated on me amongst other things.

I never got to pay the money back. Which I know was wrong. Please do not think bad of me.

The problem is, I (for the past 3 years) have sorted my life out, I have done so much, met somebody who has helped rebuild me.. and I really want to do the Uni course... but I owe that money and am not sure how this can work as I will need funding.

I am feeling really low this week, I wish I could have been stronger back then, because it has cost me now.

Help

brendon

As long as you are under 60 years old, I believe you are entitled to student finance just like everybody else. I'm pretty sure everybody is entitled to 4 years. If you quit during the first year, you will still have 3 years funding available to you -- that's enough to do a 3 year course at university. The money you owe to Student Finance will be collected in the same way as for all other students -- it makes no difference that you dropped out in your first year. The debt will just be added on.

If you owe any debt to the University, you would need to clear these to continue studying at that particular university, but your tuition is normally paid by Student Finance England. (or similar body if you're not in England).

It might be worth contacting someone in admin at your previous university's department. They might allow you to enter in the next year, which would be a simple way in. Otherwise, you'd have to apply via UCAS.

brendon

According to this document at http://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/456043/eligibility_fact_sheet_1314_d_b.pdf:

The number of years for which a student is eligible for funding is calculated as follows:
Length of current course + One additional year - Years of previous study

So I don't think you'll have any problems. Hopefully somebody can confirm my interpretation of the rules.

Dunroamin

Did you drop out half way through the first year or half way through the course?

Unioldguy

Not even half way through the first year, I started at the end of August, my Nan died in October, I was diagnosed with depression in December - and was not on the course at that point (I had dropped out).

Dunroamin

Unioldguy wrote: »

Not even half way through the first year, I started at the end of August, my Nan died in October, I was diagnosed with depression in December - and was not on the course at that point (I had dropped out).

Then the information Brandon gave you is correct.

Unioldguy

Wow, thank you guys.

nimbo

also posted on the employment board too - hadn't even thought of your age.... haha

Hi each student is entitled to 3 years funding + 1 (for a standard three year degree)... they allow extra years, for a degree in medicine for example ( but you only ever get + 1 for one false start)...

technically you have had one years funding - they probably will have paid the full amount of fees etc - so although you only got one third that will probably cancel out the +1.

this should mean that you can apply to do a degree, and get funding for the three years...

HOWEVER if you should need the extra year to complete (which you wouldn't need to do until it happened), you can apply for serious compelling reasons (SCR) through supplying death certificates etc - these may or may not be granted, but also may not be needed...

do have a look on the student finance England website - but don't let it hold you back...