Compelling Personal Reasons help.. Student Finance

mielmilena

Good morning all,

I am in the first year of a radiotherapy degree which I am not enjoying at all. Several of my personal circumstances are affecting my ability to perform and concentrate and as a result I am very behind and failing. February (2017) my grandmother passed away after 6 months of suffering from terminal cancer. I was living with my grandmother and taking care of her alongside my mum who didn't live with us but also cared for her on a daily basis. I saw a lot of things and there were many scares and incidences where I would have to call the ambulance. She unfortunately passed away shortly after that and I held her hand throughout it all. I have been unable to sleep properly ever since, nightmares when I manage to fall asleep, I have been depressed, demotivated and self-loathing. On top of this, I went to uni in London thinking I could perhaps use a change of environment and continue with my studies. However, my mums situation worsened (my grandmother's death affected her greatly, she gave up her job 12 years ago to care for her when she fell ill with her 1st cancer) and came to the point where she would not leave the bed for days and basically just couldn't function. This was particularly worsened by me leaving for uni, since we are very close and after the passing of her mum I imagine she felt very lonely. I felt the pressure to come back every weekend to help her out and my 3 little brothers, including taking weekdays off to come home meaning I would miss a lot of placement/lecture. Aside from this, the loneliness of living alone without family, lack of social life, lack of sleep has made me just a wreck. I also have a brother suffering from sickle cell anaemia which is just basically eating me alive, because I couldn't handle another loss.

I missed a large portion of my placement due to these commitments and this ended up in a fitness to practice meeting as I was also underperforming on placement. I came to the realization that perhaps that such a degree that requires very high standards and levels of professionalism from me is not right for me at this point in my life. This is also burdening me on top of everything else. I am thinking of dropping out and getting some therapy - basically just calming down. Perhaps start a different degree, like economics, this September or next. Whenever I'm ready. I would have more of a work-life balance this way.

The only issue is that I have already used up two years of funding. A foundation year and this year. This is so worrying for me, as not going to university is not an option. My family have very little money and couldn't support me. I have potential, good A level and GCSE grades so I do want to do something with my life.
So I'd like to ask anyone with experience in this, could I apply for CPR? What are my chances? Do I have to drop out and then apply for CPR? What evidence do I need, bearing in mind I haven't seen a medical professional or anyone else regarding my circumstances apart from a student advisor? I could potentially get a letter from a GP as she is aware of my family circumstances but unaware yet of the affect on me. I also have my meeting notes and a death certificate. I'm so worried I'll continue doing this degree where I'll screw up on placements, put patients and the university reputation at risk and get kicked off anyway - being at a hospital is only detrimental to me, as it reminds me of my own personal circumstances.

Apologies for the long post. I hope you can help me.

agrinnall

I don't know what the process is but what you have decribed seems to be to be entirely compatible with CPR, so hopefully your application would be successful. It might be worth asking for advice from the Student Union who should be able to help you decide what the best approach would be.

I would also wait a while if possible before deciding on a return to university and what you might want to study - I'm not sure that economics would be any less demanding than radiology, given that ecenomics graduates are at the top of the pay chart and there would surely be high expectations placed on anyone studying it.

mielmilena

Thank you for your reply. I understand your point of view regarding economics. Degrees, irrespective of what degree it is, are demanding. It's just that the particular degree I am doing requires such a high level of responsibility, professionalism and conduct on placements especially that I don't feel like I am able to meet those standards for the foreseeable future. Whereas I imagine that a degree in humanities would lack that sort of obligation and responsibility but at the same time allow me an education.

sheramber

Do a Google search for 'Student Finance Compelling Personal Reasons and the name of your university'

There may be a document available explaining the procedure.

If not one for your university read one of the other university hits.

I understand you should apply in conjunction with the University who will advise how the compelling reason has affected your studies.

Starrystarrynight1

I think the first thing you need to do is to speak to your GP and tell him or her everything that's been happening and how it's affected you both personally and in your studies. You will need some form of medical letter or document which explains how badly you were affected and why you were unable to study properly, so your GP will need to know what has gone on.

I'm not sure of the process, but I think you will need to supply this when you next apply for funding. You could always give student finance a quick call and ask for info on what you'll need to do.

I hope you sort out what you'd like to do next. It sounds like you've had a very difficult time recently. I wish you all the very best.

KeepOnKnitting

Do you think you want to continue to become a radiotherapist? Would a year long leave of absence help you? That is what I would be tempted to do, and then reconsider in a year's time.

[Deleted User]

I won't go into details but my DD dropped out mid way through her 2nd year of her first degree, due to health issues, fast forward 4 years and with a GP's letter the SLC "gifted" her (their word not mine) another year so she got a full 3 years worth of loans and grants.
This was in the last 3 years.