Considering degree course this September

JohnMaclean

My son is considering accepting a degree course September 2020-he has been offered an unconditional place.

He is currently completing the student loan application-if he applies but then decides to either defer starting or not start his course, would the loan also be deferred/cancelled as he will not have started his learning? His concern is the course may be initially online only (which he feels would not be workable for his Product Design course) or delayed if there is a 2nd wave of the virus.

Thank you

chucknorris

Hi, I am a chartered quantity surveyor by profession, but I have worked as a university lecturer (part time) for the last 10 years. I obviously may not fully appreciate the intricacies of a 'product design degree course', but from what I have seen and experienced so far in my field, I can deliver online lectures equal to face to face lectures. 

flea72

Until SFE are informed by the university that your son has started the course, the money isnt released. 

silvercar

I would be nervous of starting this September, all we need is a second wave or a panic reaction to the normal fresher's flu and the term could be written off. 

JohnMaclean

Thank you for your replies

chucknorris-thats good feedback, For Product design there is a fair amount of practical work so the concern is how this could be communicated remotely

-flea72-thats what I assumed but should never assume (according to Samuel Jackson). Thanks for confirming

-silvercar-Yes, its tricky. My son is completing an Art foundation and is not keen to delay a year as he will then be 2 years older than most of his peers. I can understand this but who knows what will happen in September?

For now he can complete the student loan application, accept his course and then decide closer to the time when he can see what develops. Must be a lot of students thinking the same

[Deleted User]

Hi John

Completing and accepting the Terms and Conditions of an application is not an obligation.

If your son does not register for attendance on the course, the  he hasn't attended and the application simply needs to be cancelled which he can do either online, or by calling the Student Finance helpline.

The application will not 'defer' though. You will need to have him complete a whole new application the following (or whichever) year he chooses to actually attend. This includes providing all requisite evidence along with the new application.

Hope this helps.

Disclaimer: not an expert

jaybeetoo

If he defers, what’s he going to do instead?