Anyone Still Waiting for their loan?

roxalana

I'm sure that everyone who has had a problem here will be applying ultra early next year and chasing their LEA to make sure they have everything they need but a word of warning...

I have heard a rumour (I don't know if it is definite yet) that the computer system provided by the SLC for the LEAs to do their assessment will not be ready until a month after it was this time. This is because next year there will be 3 different schemes of funding running at the same time, so they need extra time to build the rules into the assessment system.

This means that LEAs won't be able to start processing loans until a month later than they could this year. As such, I would advise everyone to apply as early as poss so you are further up the queue once they can start!

flake_2

ah thanx again roxalana!

also...power of the press! some senior woman from my LEA phoned me up, did all the finishing touches to my application, and said if you have any worries at all just ring back this number, you will come straight through to me!

if only i had done this article a month ago....hope same happens to you soon ethel!

roxalana, she said the delays were all to do with people applying online? Said it took much longer to process and it was all SLCs fault lol for encouraging online applications. Did you apply online ethel?

Wouldn't admit no one looked at my application for 3 months tho even though 2 of her staff did! And i still think understaffed. And even if it is cos of online applications that still does not make it ok that people have struggled alot. She seemed to say it as if ohhh that's alright then. I mean it's november now!! and the issue needs to be brought to attention.


But i guess what we can learn from this is apply EARLY as poss and go the PAPER route.

flake_2

Oh also once you send your declaration back takes another TEN DAYS about to process, don't know if you know this ethel! Just thought i'd warn you.

And apparently that's why SLC say they have met all their targets, cos once LEA hand over the declaration as far as SLC concerned it's all finished, even though some automatic processing thing that takes 10 days has to happen after that?

Still think mid-november is a little more than 10 days off tho

EthelBloggs

I didn't know about the 10 days :eek:

Mine's still awaiting assessment :rotfl: but I spose that's my fault for not wanting to be identifiable (I didn't want to embarass my kids or for my ex-husband to know any of my business)

I have got an appointment with the finance peeps tomorrow tho at uni and with my personal tutor so we'll see how it goes.

roxalana

flake wrote: »

Oh also once you send your declaration back takes another TEN DAYS about to process, don't know if you know this ethel! Just thought i'd warn you.

And apparently that's why SLC say they have met all their targets, cos once LEA hand over the declaration as far as SLC concerned it's all finished, even though some automatic processing thing that takes 10 days has to happen after that?

Still think mid-november is a little more than 10 days off tho

In terms of the LEAs 'bit', online apps shouldn't take longer than paper apps BUT
- if you have a sponsor it takes time for them to get their passwords etc or the paper form through the post for them to give details of their income.

- You have to sign the online declaration form. This does make it so that it takes longer for an online applicant to get their money after they are assessed, as you have to wait for it to be posted out to you (which is automatic- so cannot be hurried along - usually takes about 10-14 days to reach the student), the student then has to sign and return it through the post and then it can take 10 days to be logged on the system by the SLC. Payment dates are not generated until after this signature doc is logged.

- Student finance is quite difficult to apply for as the forms have to cover everyones circumstances so the forms are quite complicated. This does mean that I find people make more mistakes applying online than on paper (like applying for non means tested support rather than means tested). I find that if people don't know what to put on a paper form, they write me little notes to explain! I can then often work out what they mean! You can't do that online!

In terms of the other automatic check, I think this will be checking your National Insurance Number. This year, before you can be paid any loan (N.B this does not affect payment of grant money), the SLC need to check your NINO details match the Department of Work & Pensions records. The SLC can only ask the DWP for this information after assessment and if you applied online after your signature document is logged). It takes approximately 10 days for a DWP response. If the DWP say 'yes it matches' the loan money should be able to go in to your account about 3 days after the DWP response. In the unlikely event it doesnt match it gets more complicated!

EthelBloggs

Guess what guys.. a week after the newspaper article.. my application still says 'awaiting assessment' :rolleyes:

on the plus side, I've received a short term loan from my uni, which has to be paid back in 4 weeks :eek: hopefully they'll have done my loan by then, surely?

floss2

Just found this thread, after my son at Leeds told me last night he STILL hasn't had his loan....4th yr, applied in April/May, SLC "lost forms", applied again September, still no loan....fees due 30/11 (self-funding for 2 yrs after 2yrs on another course)...fees money has paid his rent so at least he's not homeless....guess who has subbed him on top of his regular support?

flake_2

Oh my god ethel that's just ridiculous lol, have you phoned them?? Are you sure they have not completely forgotten you exist??? Really hope you get it in 4 weeks, remember to print off your declaration thing like roxalana says to speed up the process.

Sorry to hear that floss2, it's not fair you apply on time and keep to their deadline, they don't keep to yours. Atleast he has you though! Just remind him he has to pay it back when he gets his money and keep ringing, ringing and being an angry customer to put the pressure on, does it say 'still awaiting assessment'?

roxalana

floss2 wrote: »

Just found this thread, after my son at Leeds told me last night he STILL hasn't had his loan....4th yr, applied in April/May, SLC "lost forms", applied again September, still no loan....fees due 30/11 (self-funding for 2 yrs after 2yrs on another course)...fees money has paid his rent so at least he's not homeless....guess who has subbed him on top of his regular support?

He should take his receipt of application letter or email giving him his ART ID etc to his Uni as proof of application and ask them to delay requesting the fees whilst he awaits his LEA decision.

The only reason I can think of for a september application not being processed by now is if your Son or his Uni had not responded to a request for more information. If people don't reply it can remain pended indefinitely and is not subject to the 6-8 week turnaround target.

I would find out from your son, what reason the LEA have given for his loan not being processed. Then if more info is required you can help him to get the necessary info.

EthelBloggs

I have to laugh at 6-8 weeks roxalana :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

so far mine has been in since august, approximately 12 weeks :eek: I have called my LEA several times to no avail - still waiting for the 'within 10 days' callback, this is day 10, the slc are no help whatsoever either . I'm just really glad that my uni saw fit to bend their rules and allow me a short term loan of £500 to try and keep things ticking over but it doesn't even cover my rent so things are still very very tight. Today is my daughter's birthday and I've had to ask her to wait til my loan comes through before it can be celebrated properly and get her a gift for it