Overpayment: 2008

Fakeplasticcheese

Hello all,

In 2008 I dropped out of my course in the first few months due to personal reasons. Following this I spent a good number of years unemployed (due to an injury to my foot), and it was a struggle.

I moved around a lot (well, I stayed with friends/girlfriends) but was also resident at the house of my parents during these four years.

In 2012 I started putting my life together - well to be frank, 2011 is where it kicked off when I met my inspirational partner, who did me the world of good - compared to the blood-suckers & hangers on previously.

We have been living together for nearly two years, in one place.

In 2012 I got a number of temporary jobs, but had also been writing a lot (since 2010) and it became some-what of a hobby for me. In 2013 I was offered a great chance to write for money (like a poetic prostitute) and at the end of the year (2013) I started looking at going back to uni.

The above is a short version of a long story, basically, I have build myself up from scratch and now work a decent (but part time) job and have a lot of prospects for the first time in life.

I've taken the long route!

Anyway, in March I decided on 5 courses and then phoned SFE (Student Finance England), I asked if there were issues with my account and would I get funding.

Answer: No problems, you get an extra year in case, I would be ok.

Fine. Super.

I apply, they have my information (address, phone number etc) and communication is open.

Currently I am still in the process of applying as they keep rejecting my Birth Certificate referees (because one was an editor not a journalist, one was a CEO of a VAT reg charity and not a director) but that is another story.

I am high as a kite, looking forward to this course, and September cannot come soon enough. I'm on the road to where I want to be and have zero doubts!

*CRASH*

I get in this evening and find a letter from SLC (Student Loans Company), telling me I was overpaid £500 and they want it back, and they have tried numerous times to contact me.

Erm... right. I've had nothing at all from them - I am confused - but google the letter info and it seems legit.

I ring them and am told it is passed to a credit collection agency.

I ring them and they ask for my details, I give them my address and they confirm it is the same address on their system. So - my head asks a good question.

Why now, why did they not contact me in March when I could have spread payments and cleared this quicker?

I talk to a lady at SLC who confirmed: "Nobody has mentioned this debt, it is not on any record from the recent calls between myself and SFE"

Now I am worried about my course. I am MORTIFIED there is an outstanding payment. I want to clear this but do not earn enough to clear it outright.

I ring the debt company and explain my story, he says he doesn't think it will affect my course - but he then hesitates and backtracks. I offer to pay some today (£30) and £10 p/w, it is about all I can do and he accepts.

He tries to re-assure me others have done this and been ok.

I hang up and ring SLC, the lady puts me on hold for about 10 minutes to talk to a colleague, on returning she says:

"Because it is a grant payment, this should not affect your funding."

She follows up by saying.. "So yes, you will still get your funding."


Now... I know she has told me this, but I am petrified. I will be absolutely devastated if I lose this course.

Secondly, why contact me now? I have had zero from them - and considering they had my new details for a while - and also my job (TAX) is registered here, I have always been traceable!!!

Just need reassurance.

Cheers guys.