Complaints about Student Finance complaints...

lucyAM

Does anybody know please who I complain to not only about Student Finance but also about their complaints department and lack of handling the original complaint correctly?

Thanks.

amiehall

http://www.slc.co.uk/media/426356/ppc008_june_2012_online.pdf

Depending on how much of a **** up they've made of your application, I would suggest contacting your MP, they're often able to get things sorted out.

Taiko

Out of interest, what was the original complaint?

lucyAM

Thanks amiehall. I think heading straight to my MP is probably going to be the better option.

Taiko - it's a long story.
Applied last May for funding for 2013/14, got it and was receiving it, then 2 weeks before my April (this year) instalment they blocked my application saying I was down as a returning student and not a new student. Took them a year to figure it out...
Anyway, had to reapply and was told I'd have to wait 9 weeks for them to reassess me! Even though none of my details are different, they just have to simple press a button that says "new" instead of "returning".
So technically 7 weeks without money as I'd budgeted up to the date of my April instalment. Not such an issue if just me but I have a 4 year old child who I am now having to try and scrimp money together to feed.
Complained to the SF complaints team after 2 weeks who said my form was being looked at that day, 5 days later no update so rang them again and was told it wouldn't be looked at for the 9 weeks as originally said but would bump me to fast track which was 9 working days, and my first complaint hadn't been logged properly.
9 working days is up tomorrow and it still looks like nothing has changed... For a complaints team they are pretty shoddy at taking and processing complaints.
Just over a week has passed since I was meant to have my last instalment, and money is getting very tight, so I'm praying they pull their fingers out!

Taiko

Going to say with that, certainly justified. I've seen so many complaints sent where actually the student is partially responsible, but in this case it's perfectly valid.

Nothing to stop you taking both routes. Good luck in getting it resolved!