Repeating year - SAAS appeals?

Daeheryn

Hi all,

Unfortunately due to some health problems last year I am having to repeat my second year of a BSc. I've been told by SAAS that they will still pay tuition fees for me, but they won't pay my loans/grants etc that I normally get, which will leave me with nothing to live on (my weekend job pays pittance).

They did say that if I submit mitigating circumstances they would consider paying what I would normally get. To do this I need letters from my doctor, mental health worker, and the uni to say that yes, there were health problems which affected my study (ie I didn't fail cos I'm thick or lazy ), and a detailed letter from me with full details of what was wrong.

Now, as if that's not embarrasing enough (I had to write a letter like that for the exam board, and describing exactly how a mental health problem affected your life was humiliating), they guy on the phone said there was only a very small chance I'd get funding, even after I told him what was wrong with me...

It's not my fault that I was hit by depression, but I'm panicking that they'll still not take it into account. If I don't get funding, I'll have to leave my course, as I simply won't be able to afford it... Has anybody else had to submit mitigating circumstances to SAAS, and if so, how did you find it? Did you get funding?

Psychobot

Hi, I'm actually in a similar situation.. only I spent 3 years trying to complete a degree and STILL didn't finish the course (that's 3 years worth of tuition fees and 2 years worth of student loan debt - I didn't apply for a loan in my 3rd year.)

My local education authority thought that I had finished the degree and recently wrote a letter to me informing me that I wouldn't receive any financial help.

I've had to write them a letter and provide evidence from the university I attended, to state that I didn't finish the course and why I didn't finish it.

The reasons why, centred around depression induced by getting myself into an emotionally abusive relationship with a partner who then subsequently decided that 'we're finished' meant 'please stalk me'.

I have submitted evidence of the incident in the form of emails passed between me and the university and a police letter issued in 2005.

I don't have any medical records to say that I was suffering from depression, because I didn't seek medical help. I was afraid of the stigma that would be attached to admitting that I had problems.

Well, all I can offer are words of encouragement and the understanding that I know how demeaning it feels to 'submit evidence' of personal circumstances, but really if there's a chance that you will receive financial help, it's surely better to give it a go.

I'll keep you updated on what's happening with my application. No doubt I'll get a reply via snail-mail in 2 weeks time.

Daeheryn

Thankyou psychobot, that means a lot. I'm more worried that SAAS are basically telling me they don't allow funding for repeat years, except in very rare exceptional cases. Good luck with your application, I hope you get it!

Voyager2002

Daeheryn wrote: »

Thankyou psychobot, that means a lot. I'm more worried that SAAS are basically telling me they don't allow funding for repeat years, except in very rare exceptional cases. Good luck with your application, I hope you get it!

Probably that is what they mean, but your case is rare and exceptional. And since you have got all the documentation and presented it to the university, sending it to SAAS will not be much extra hassle.

Do it, and good luck with the outcome. All I can say for sure is that if you don't ask, you won't get.

Psychobot

Hello,

I promised that I'd provide an update on my situation: I have been approved to receive both a maintenance loan and a student loan for fees. There has however been a bit of a !!!! up because Student Finance Direct think that I will be living away from home and awarded me too much loan money. I have informed them that this is not the case (I'll be living with parents) and have filled in a Change of Circumstances form CO1.

Out of curiousity I have written my local LEA another letter enquiring if I could receive a maintenance grant (I come from a very low income background). I have to submit that request in tomorrow morning.

I guess the moral of the tale is yes, inform your local education authority of your difficulties and provide evidence - they may be willing to accept your loan application as they have mine.

Best of luck