University will not give me a refund!

TashaC

I wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction?
This whole fiasco started last year when I was incorrectly advised by my university as a part time student I wasn't entitled to fee support due to the amount of credits I was taking (the course I was on underwent considerable changes meaning I had already completed credits that under the restructuring I should have been taking in my current year of study). I applied for a hardship loan and was told I was eligible for student funding so I retrospectively applied to the Student Loans Company (SLC) in May.

At this point I had already paid my fees so asked if the money could be paid directly into my account, after various discussions with SLC I was told that the money would have to be paid directly to the university. By the time finance was agreed the beginning of the next academic year had started and in order to register as a continuing student I was told I would need to pay half of my fee which was about £800. As I knew SLC would be making a payment for last years fees I agreed with the finance department that I would pay the difference between the expected funding of around £600. Originally they had said that I would still need to pay the £800, as they didn't have confirmation of the funding, but I told them that wasn't gong to happen. I then proceeded to apply for funding for the current academic year in October which was confirmed in January.

In January I received an email from the university saying that I needed to pay the remains half of my fees. As I had confirmation of funding from SLC I contacted the finance department to advise them that as far as I was concerned payment had been made and I was no longer liable (I was advised by SLC to do this and that if there were any problems they should contact them directly)

Since then I have been in discussion with the university and SCL. SCL tell me funding has been released, however the university have been claiming that they have not received funding and therefore are unable to process a refund, which I find to be ridiculous considering the money has been confirmed.

In essence I'm annoyed that I was misinformed by the university in relation to funding in the first place and I'm really annoyed that this issue still hasn't been resolved. I originally made these payments by credit card and was wondering if I could claim under section 75, as effectively the fees have been paid twice. Any suggestions would be greatly received!

agrinnall

Maybe I'm misunderstanding but I can't see where you have paid something that is now due to be refunded, and I certainly can't see how much you expect the refund should be. Could you clarify?

TashaC

Sorry, hopefully this will make it clearer (figures are approximate)

2013- 14,
University fee £600
payments made:
SLC entitlement £600
Money paid by me £600

Effectively an over payment of £600

2014 - 15
University fee £1200

Payments made:
SLC entitlements £1200

I'm assuming my refund should be for the £600

asajj

Get confirmation from SLC about released funds and show it to uni?

TashaC

I'll give it a try, although I was told they can't do anything until they receive my funding. What I don't understand is that is that they haven't pursued the second instalment of my fee. If they haven't received payment they would have contacted me in regards to outstanding fees and placed a hold on my account.

TashaC

Quick update, I sent an email saying that I am considering making a formal complaint and was unexpectedly told funds had been resolved and that a refund can now be issued! Happy Days!