Part Time Student Loans! URGENT!

jenni1188

Hi Forum,

I am writing this on behalf of a friend at university who is studying there on my course part time.

She started the 2 year course in 05/06 but left before the 1st semester ended as her best friend died and she felt she couldn't stay on. She then stated the course again in 06/07 when i joined after clearing her debt from the first year. She cleared this as her grandparents cleared £700 for her 21st birthday present.

She has been attending the lectures now in 07/08 term after passing the first year however she has not been able to access the computers etc. When she went they told her she was no longer enrolled and had a debt of £600.

She works part time in a cafe where as all our friends inc me work full time in the relevant industry for the course. She gets at most £400 per month and has about £20 expesnse for going to uni every week. She has no money and her family cant help but she needs to pay this off before she can carry on and we have coursework due.

Is there any help as otherwise she will have to set up a payment plan but without regular income shes not sure she would meet it plus £25 per month is going to take ages.

Any advice as us part timers have no access to student accounts overdrafts cc or loans and its a real struggle.

Thanks

Lizzy

Hi Jenni1188

Try posting this on the Student Money Saving board because I think more students will look at this.

I rent to students and one year one of them said to me that her rent would be late because she was waiting for her HARDSHIP payment to come through. I THINK that is what she called it.

Unfortunately that is all I know, so I am sure these things are available but I don't know where she applied to get it. There must be a student welfare office where she can go for advice.

If she can't get that payment I think the payment plan will be the best because it should be a very low interest rate. At least she will be able to trust the uni and their advice.

dmg24

What course is she studying?

LittleRedDragon

Hi Jenni
I'm assuming you're not eligible for a normal student loan? (Don't know much about those).
She could be eligible for hardship (administered by the university but very hard to get usually) or she might be able to get a Career Development Loan? http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/CareerDevelopmentLoans/index.htm
I think the NUS might give advice on financial issues to students, might be worth checking that out, if you're members.

jenni1188

The course she is studying is a HNC Building Studies, all the rest of us are in full time employment and our work sponsers us but she is just a part time cafe worker and a part time uni student.
We get a £250 grant for books and i know there is something for the course but this is a debt so she wouldn't get that.
She earns at top whack £400 per month but can be a lot less so a loan would be a little harsh for her but thats life i know.

I wil have a look on the uni website and see if they have any funds etc.