Student loan arrears voluntary payment mistake

iwillsaythisonlyonce

Hi,
I'm sleepless in Japan at the moment - it's 7am tomorrow! I graduated from Uni in 2008, and recently my dear Mother informed me while we discussed my grandfather's passing away on Remembrance Sunday that the SLC were also asking for their money back. She saves letters, but usually forwards them twice a year in the chocolaty care packages - which come in April and December. I'm glad she asked me if I wanted them opened in that conversation now! It would be up to 1000 odd. I am frantically getting all the information I need to send to the SLC as of now

Anyway, this week, I made an 738 pound payment to the SLC to pay off recent arrears accrued, but on the repayment website, I still have arrears totaling...738 pounds.

Having looked around on the website and internet more, it seems I used the 'voluntary payment' option in error! I used most of my emergency fund in the UK to pay, and I am absolutely aghast at having made such a stupid mistake.

Has anyone else made this mistake? Or I simply a 'special case'?

To put it mildly, I am in a state of panic - I see that Voluntary payments are non-refundable, and I am unsure as to whether they can be classified as repayments.!!!

However, is it possible for the 'voluntary payment' to be considered payment of the arrears if I ask nicely?

If the SLC refuse to take the payment into account, I basically have no other means of repaying these arrears within a realistic and reasonable timeframe, and I really don't want these arrears payments to collate any further and put me into further financial trouble or possible legal action.

Failing them taking into account the voluntary payment, would it be possible for me to set up a deal whereby I pay off my arrears (in, say, 246pound chunks) over the coming months?

Thanks in advance for taking any time to answer!

Voyager2002

I think the answer to your questions is 'yes', but you will have communicate with them.

Set yourself up with a Skype account (or find some other affordable way to telephone the UK) and make that call.