Loan Advice

Beth_17UK

I applied to uni through clearing in september, so obviously expect a delay in receiving my loan. Thing is, nearly 3 months on and they're still processing. I understand applying in April is best but back then I didnt think I was going to be going back. When I rang up I just got a rude advisor who kept talking over me and saying they haven't received my declaration even though I sent it two weeks ago.
I'm seriously in trouble here. I left my job to go to uni and have a young daughter to support. Already had a hardship fund from uni but that went on bills straight away. I now have £5 left and cannot afford to even get to uni anymore. Plus direct debit bills are all bouncing.
I've already applied for numerous full time jobs, but if I quit, will I have to pay tuition fee's? (LEA say I have to pay them myself for some reason?) I did a foundation degree 2 years ago and got fee's paid for then?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

flake_2

This is the main thread for your problem --http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=575329

Sorry to hear you are in this position. I only just got my loan. ethelbloggs in same position as you.

roxalana's probs the best person to give you advice on this! But...are you on a pilot scheme? What is the situation, do ur lea give a reason for the delay? Are you getting through to your lea? I think because your forms have not been processed no one is paying your tuition fees as yet so if you quit you would be liable for however many weeks you've been at uni...which you'd have to pay upfront!

flake_2

Beth_17UK wrote: »

When I rang up I just got a rude advisor who kept talking over me and saying they haven't received my declaration even though I sent it two weeks ago.

Sorry just read this...if it's only the declaration this isn't too much of a problem! Means they've already processed it all? If you've applied online you can print off the declaration and send another one...again see other thread. Or just ask for another one to be sent to you?

Beth_17UK

Thanks for the info Flake,
I'm not sure about the pilot scheme, I suspect I'm not on it. I asked student finance advisor if I should ring the LEA and he just started raising his voice telling me he'd already told me everything!? He wouldn't repeat anything at all, even tho I was having trouble with his accent and he was speaking very quickly.
I'm worried about what you said about tuition fee's :eek: would they make me pay the whole 3000 upfront? They're not paying them anyway so I suppose this has turned into the most expensive mistake ever.Well done me! :T

flake_2

You would have to pay for the amount of weeks you've been there probably, not the whole 3 grand.

I would definitely advise you not to quit!! Everything has gone through except your declaration. If you have applied online print another one off and send. If you applied with a paper form phone slc or lea and ask them to send you another one.

After they receive your declaration it takes up to 10 days for the money to come through to your account whilst they check your national insurance number.

roxalana

Beth_17UK wrote: »

I applied to uni through clearing in september, so obviously expect a delay in receiving my loan. Thing is, nearly 3 months on and they're still processing. I understand applying in April is best but back then I didnt think I was going to be going back. When I rang up I just got a rude advisor who kept talking over me and saying they haven't received my declaration even though I sent it two weeks ago.
I'm seriously in trouble here. I left my job to go to uni and have a young daughter to support. Already had a hardship fund from uni but that went on bills straight away. I now have £5 left and cannot afford to even get to uni anymore. Plus direct debit bills are all bouncing.
I've already applied for numerous full time jobs, but if I quit, will I have to pay tuition fee's? (LEA say I have to pay them myself for some reason?) I did a foundation degree 2 years ago and got fee's paid for then?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hmm sounds like you've spoken to the SLC call centre. As flake will tell you my advice is almost always to ring your LEA )

When you say that they say they haven't had your declaration back - did you apply online? It can take a while for it to be logged on the system at the SLC. The other option is that it may have been lost in the post... If you are worried you can print it off again from the website. Log in and go to correspondence. It will be on the notification letter document. Click on GIF to see a picture of the letter and it is the online signature document at the end. It is better that they get it twice than not at all. It needs to be sent to the Glasgow address on the form.

Your LEA will be able to confirm if that this the thing stopping you from getting your money. They will also be able to explain why you are paying for your tuition fees.

At a guess I think this will be due to your previous study. For example if you are on a 3 year course starting in the first year and have already studied 2 years on another course... they take the length of your current course (3 years) add 1 year (to give 4 years) and take away what you have already used (2 years). This means that you are entitled to 2 years of normal support and i year when you only qualify for maintenance loan. Unfortunately, you have to have the maintenance loan only bit in your first year.

I would advise not to drop out if you are thinking of studying in the future because if you start again next year then the calculation would be 3 years +1 then they would take away the 3 years you have studied (as this bit of study would count as a full year). This would mean that you would only get 1 year of full support. So stick this year out if you can - call your LEA to check what is happening with your declaration.

flake_2

Oh beth did i mention...phone ur lea!!

No you give great advice roxlana, me thinks you should get an award for best lea employee you've posted help to so many people on here! :T

mummytofour

Do not leave uni! You are there to provide a better life for yourself and your daughter and it WILL pay off in the end!
Call the LEA, then pop down to job centre plus I am sure that you can get a crisis or budgeting loan, hopefully somebody will bk me up?
Good luck and PLEASE PLEASE stick with it!

roxalana

flake wrote: »

Oh beth did i mention...phone ur lea!!

No you give great advice roxlana, me thinks you should get an award for best lea employee you've posted help to so many people on here! :T

hehe well your comments are always good for my ego!

roxalana

I know you have had a hardship loan already but what have the Uni's welfare dept said about your situation now?