Student Finance false equivalence advice - now won't loan tuition fees

Snookums

Snookums

Snookums

Soldato
Joined
27 Mar 2013
Posts
3,864
Location
Nottingham
To cut a long story short last year before I decided to take a year off part way through uni student finance England told me i would receive a further three years funding when I return this September. After being told this I took my voluntary leave of studies, this decision was made on the fact I had been told I would be funded.

Roll on last month I get my loan breakdown and they aren't covering my tuition fees. After many a phone calls the advisers aren't any help.

I then filed a complaint and they told me they had listened to the phone call last year and yes before I decided to leave i was told I would receive the loans when I shouldn't have been. They still refuse to allocate me the loan and claim no body can do anything about it. They offered me £100 compensation as an apology which I have refused and moved my complaint up to level 2.

Now they have openly admitted fault and poorly attempted to rectify. Tomorrow I will be ringing to ask for copies of all phone conversations I have had with them since April 21st last year (the date of the original phone call where I was told I would be funded)

Now I'm stuck for what my options are at this point as from my point of view they have essentially changed the terms and conditions of my loan without informing me. As well as ruined my chances of a degree as they then selves in my previous years of study have deemed me as from a low in come household so are fully aware I can not afford the loans off my own back.

Any one have any advice? I know it's a rather unique situation but I have no idea what to do really.
 
Are you having to repeat a year? Or did you take an interruption part way though a year? Surely it shouldn't make any difference if you take an academic year off?
 
I have an letter on its way stating I have refused the refund. Up until today they have refused an written acknowledgment as apparently they couldn't email out. My phone call copies will also show me asking for written proof every call.

The university will be contacted once I have my proof.

Yes I am having to repeat a year. I done just shy of half a year then voluntarily interrupted my studies.
 
If you've completed half a year maybe you could check with the university re: what fees you'll need to pay when you return - perhaps you only now need to pay fees for the other half of that year?
 
G-MAN2004 said:
Very strange. I thought everyone was entitled to three years plus the option of a repeat, no matter what. :confused:
Click to expand...

This is why it's a long story. They are saying I've used my gift year. Done a foundation year then moved university. They should be and I was original told as the course in doing is a continuation of the foundation year I would be entitled to 4 years plus a gift year. Usual entitlement of course length plus a gift year. In my case 4 + 1
 
Get in contact with your local MP/ representative to ask for assistance. Let them know you are doing so.

Have you requested that you are sent a copy of all information they hold / a freedom of information request? - you need a copy of the call where they give you the wrong advice
 
currantloaf said:
Get in contact with your local MP/ representative to ask for assistance. Let them know you are doing so.

Have you requested that you are sent a copy of all information they hold / a freedom of information request? - you need a copy of the call where they give you the wrong advice
Click to expand...

I will be requesting all calls tomorrow. I only received the call 10 minutes before starting my shift today and they will be closed by the time I'm done.

Out of curiosity what will speaking to my local mp/rep do?

I need to find out if SLC come under FSA if so I will also contact the financial ombudsman

Also can a mod please remove the word equivalent from the title. No idea how it got there. Damn quick typing on my iPhone at work.
 
Snookums said:
Done a foundation year then moved university. ... I was original told as the course in doing is a continuation of the foundation year I would be entitled to 4 years plus a gift year.
Click to expand...
So you completed the foundation year? Presumably while you switched universities you're still doing the same course?
 
beh said:
So you completed the foundation year? Presumably while you switched universities you're still doing the same course?
Click to expand...

Completed foundation (year 0) at Brighton. Switched to start year 1 at Nottingham then half way through took a year out.
 
Might be worth checking with your university/students union (regardless of the fact you're currently not a student) and seeing what advice services they have - they might well have dealt with something like this before
 
It does sound quite complicated which would be why you asked for confirmation from them. Have they given you a specific reason why you're no longer eligible that can be found in the T&Cs somewhere?

£100 compensation seems pretty feeble in the scheme of things although at least it shows that they're at fault. As you're doing, just keep complaining.
 
I thought it was just 4 years worth of loans max.
Sounds like you've want 5 for some reason. The foundation year shouldn't have cost much. Did you take a loan for that?
 
Pretty sure you can get 5 years. I'm positive a couple of my medic friends did as well as those on my course who did their MEng.
 
dowie said:
Might be worth checking with your university/students union (regardless of the fact you're currently not a student) and seeing what advice services they have - they might well have dealt with something like this before
Click to expand...

I will be checking with my university once i get all my phone calls in case they wish to listen to get a better understanding.

beh said:
It does sound quite complicated which would be why you asked for confirmation from them. Have they given you a specific reason why you're no longer eligible that can be found in the T&Cs somewhere?

£100 compensation seems pretty feeble in the scheme of things although at least it shows that they're at fault. As you're doing, just keep complaining.
Click to expand...

The reason given is they are calculating off of 3 years + 1 and for some reason aren't acknowledging the fact it is a continuation.

As for the T & C's even if they have changed them I have had no notice of any changes therefore if they have they have been changed without my knowledge.

Slam62 said:
I thought it was just 4 years worth of loans max.
Sounds like you've want 5 for some reason. The foundation year shouldn't have cost much. Did you take a loan for that?
Click to expand...

My foundation year was a full year course with full fees.

Every adviser I have spoken has stated the loans work on course length + 1 year and no mention from anyone at any point of a maximum amount of years.

Also another evidence of no max is Architecture students get there two years masters funded well as a gift making 6 years possible funding for them
 
My son is having a second go at university, we were told 4 years max for loans, so we have to stump up one years tuition fees as he did 1.5 first time around. Fortunately his Foundation year this time didn't cost him much for tuition fees, but he still had to pay accommodation.
TBF it's all a lot less clear than it should be and yes doctors seem to spend forever studying.
 
Slam62 said:
I thought it was just 4 years worth of loans max.
Sounds like you've want 5 for some reason. The foundation year shouldn't have cost much. Did you take a loan for that?
Click to expand...

might be different here but in ni it covers 5, including "fees" loan whilst on a placement year (mandatory, not voluntary), if you're doing a 4 year combined masters course with a years mandatory placement.

i know if you do previous qualifications such as an HND you lose a year based on that, wether or not you actually take the loan.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom