adult student finance

missmuffin001

Hello I hope I'm paying in the right forum,
I'm looking for some advice please.
I'm 32 years old, In January I applied to do a level 2 hairdressing course at mid kent college. I was invited to an interview and was accepted on to the course. At the time of applying and being accepted the course fees were just over £1600, its part time for 1 year. At 29 I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer and since then I've had a radical mastectomy chemo radiotherapy and I've started breast reconstruction, so I haven't been working and I receive esa and housing benefit.
I was told that I wouldn't have to pay for the course because of my benefit.
Then last week I had a phone call from the college saying the price of the course has changed, it is now £3345 and there are no concessions or finance available so if I still want my place I have to pay the full amount by September.
I've looked at student finance but the 24+ loan in only available for level 3 and 4 courses and I can't seem to find any other student loans I can apply for. I obviously can't afford to pay this myself at the moment but I really don't want to lose my pace on the course.
Does anyone know of anywhere that can help me?
Many thanks
Kate x x

Voyager2002

I think you should ask the college a few more questions... when they originally offered you a place they clearly had a source of funding in mind: you need to find out what that was, and why the funding is no longer available.

You could also check out any careers service that is available in your area, and perhaps ask at the Jobcentre. You could also write to your MP stating simply that you are seeking to move from state benefits into work; you have found a way to do so and now it seems that this has been made impossible.

missmuffin001

Thank you for your reply, it seems like it has been made impossible but you've given good advice I'm gong to write to my local mp and I've just downloaded a complaints form for the college so I'll get that filled in asap

fass

I am writing this if anyone can give me a quick reply. Student Finance has been hustling me for money i do not owe them. They first claimed that they overpaid me 8000 pounds and after me contesting that figure they reduced it to 700 and further contesting it to 150 , moreover they have contacted a third party collectors to chase this payment and them threatening me to send bailiffs. It seems like this happened while i was in correspondence with them and have not refused any payments , I just wanted to know the right amount i owe them. Furthermore i found out that student finance has not followed their own procedures and they sent the info to the collectors and apologised in a letter. Their apologies is good but not good enough and i want them to write off the further 150 pounds that i owe for putting me in this situation in the first place while i was fully cooperating with them. Do you think i have a fair chance in asking them to waive the 150 pounds i owe ? thanks in advance

owlet

Fass, re post this on a new thread. You will get better responses.