Left college - Student Loan Advice

MDTyKe

Hey guys

I left college in November 07 and decided to start up my own web design business - it was slow, and took a good while later until I got things up and running.

Anyway, I had already got my student loan for that year, and I decided not to say anything as I needed the £900 they were to give me in March. I went to college in the Republic of Ireland - and this semester I was meant to be doing work experience anyway, so I think Im still on their list.

My question is, what should I do? I am not earning enough anyway, and Im simply saving up to go and do volunteering work in New York with the homeless from September 08 to March 09, and I won't be earning anything. I think I owe around £8700 or so.

What should I do, and when, and what should I say to them?


Thanks


Matt

celyn90

I think you should inform them of your circumstances so they stop paying you the loan - in case they ask for it back immediately, which they would be entitled to do. If you are not earning enough then you don't have to pay anything yet, but you shouuld always be truthful with them about your circumstances.

MDTyKe

The problem is, I left in November, and they still paid me in April. I needed the money, so I didn't say anything.

However, I'm still registered at college, and was so for the full year. I got my results there actually (although it said I failed), but I'm still clearly in the system.

I was hoping to just tell them I've decided not to go back next year since I'm planning on doing some voluntary missionary work. Do they ask for some kind of evidence, or does anyone know how to approach this?


Thanks


Matt

pinkshoes

They might speak to the college and ask to see your attendance record, and if you sat the exams throughout the year.

If there's enough evidence to suggest you haven't been there all year, then they are entitled to ask for this years loan to be repaid immediately. If you were supposed to be doing work experience, this would have been agreed with the college, so I guess that will look like non-attendance.

The fact that you NEEDED the money is irrelevant, as you weren't entitled to it as you're had dropped out.

Oldernotwiser

MDTyKe wrote: »

system.

I was hoping to just tell them I've decided not to go back next year since I'm planning on doing some voluntary missionary work. Do they ask for some kind of evidence, or does anyone know how to approach this?



Matt

Missionary work? When you've taken money for which you're not eligible? Now that's an interesting religion!

bestpud

Erm, I'd say tell them because what you are doing is fraud! Simple as!

I imagine the uni would be informing the LEA if you were actually doing work experience and still registered on the course. What is going to happen when they don't receive this?

But surely, if you have failed this year, you cannot merely progress to the next level (placement year or not)? I'd say when you try to register next year they'll be telling you you can't?

Imo, you may well get away with paying April's installment back as normal (ie when you are working) if you inform everyone now. We are talking just loans here and not grants aren't we? Because it is different if you get grants.

At my uni, you have to put your last date of attendance on the form for dropping out though so not sure what you would put there!

Your best bet is to tell the truth and grovel to the LEA imo.

Other thing to think about is you may want to return to HE one day (you never know) and if you've only had the one years funding, you will still be eligible for three years funding for another course. If you have two years finding, you will not get the first year of any subsequent courses funded!

In other words, even if you are luckly enough to get away with this fraud, your actions now may still come back and bite you in the !!!!! later on.

MDTyKe

Hey

Thanks for the advice. I'm studying in the Republic, and I am still a registered student, but I might email the SLC and tell them I've failed this year and what I plan doing next year.

I never actually officially "left" college, but I stopped attending just before the exams. I wonder do I have to officially fill something out; I'll give them a call maybe?


Matt

B.E.N

If you've not actually officially left yet, then surely you are alright. The main thing I'd be worried about is if the college/Uni notice your absence and kick you out, informing the SLC of this, and causing repayment demand.