Student finance frustration

[lismore]

DS applied for student finance a couple of days ago and I am already feeling quite frustrated with the system!

I could get nothing useful from the person on the phone at student finance, not helped by his faltering English (where is it based?) so am hoping someone here could help with a couple of questions:

How can we print out a record of DSs application? We can only see the basic summary screen, not any questions/answers he gave.

When DS submitted his application, which is non-means tested, the system then said it needs evidence of his NHS bursary before it can be processed. He had answered a question when applying about whether he would receive an NHS bursary this year incorrectly as "yes" but as he won't get one for another three years he then changed his answer to "no" before he submitted the final application.
But presumably the system still thinks he's getting an NHS bursary for some reason?

Is there any way for DS to check or change this online himself, or do I have to contact student finance, who so far seem a waste of the phone bill, again?

[mumeeee]

He should be able to log in and change it online. He may not be able to do this yet though as I didn't think student finance was accepting applications yet, I know it was April before DD3 could do it last year.

[lismore]

Thanks mumee, we'll have another go. Student finance opened for applications a couple of weeks ago so his application is currently listed as "submitted" but requiring evidence.

[unitarian]

He should be able to change it online but, if in doubt, give them a call.

It is a pain to get through to an actual person and some of the people are weaker than others but most are very helpful. Your DS will have had to give permission before anyone will discuss anything in detail with you about his application so it's worth getting that set up before he goes off to uni in case something goes wrong. For example, if the first payment doesn't come through when it should........

In subsequent years when reapplying the questions and the previous year's answers come up on screen so it's much easier after Y1.

[MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday]

I'm amazed student finance are open for business yet..it's usually a month or so later. Is he a medical student? DD1 is in yr 4 so this year we WILL be applying for the NHS one as well as the non means tested element of the student loans.
It does sound VERY early to be applying and I imagine nothing will happen with it for months yet so plenty of time so sort it.

(I do both my daughters' student finance..not cos they are incompetent but it saves ME worrying )

[unitarian]

Medusa My DD is also a 4th year medic so I too am girding my loins for the NHS bursary learning curve!

I do the student finance stuff too because then I know it has been done!
I also have her password. Last year I found she had not reapplied when she should have done and was out of the country when I discovered this so I was able to log in and do the application.

[MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday]

The NHS Bursary stuff is awful! My other daughter is a 2nd year nurse so I've had to do that twice already and they want so much paperwork..honestly I wouldn't be surprised if they asked for my bra size next

And of course this year they will want all the paperwork..for two girls..at the same time!

Where is your DC studying? (nosy:))

[unitarian]

Ahah! May I pick your brains?
Which financial year will they want figures for?
DD's at Imperial. Where's yours?

[MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday]

My DD1 is at Peninsula (Exeter) so currently stranded in Truro!!

If memory serves me rightly, student finance want p60s from a year behind, but NHS will want the current one..(hence not being able to apply til end of March earliest) The NHS will give specific dates to start applying.. or they do for DD2 who is nursing and imagine it will be the same for med students.
I'll probably ring them in March and find out, but there is no mad rush as they don't actually sort it for a while!

Thank GOD both mine will graduate at the same time and it will be the last year I have to sort it or ring up pretending to be them (If DD2 decides to sdo an MA she can sort it!!)

[unitarian]

Why am I not surprised that it's out of synch with SFE? Eyes roll.

I'm told that the uni gives a heads up to students when it's time to apply and it will be sometime in March. As DH and I are not on PAYE I can see a lot of paper-chasing ahead at the end of the tax year.

Truro's very nice in 'normal' weather. I hope she's warm and dry.

[rightsaidfrederick]

Medusa - no student finance available for masters I'm afraid - it's all rather piecemeal and many end up having to self-fund, especially outside STEM subjects.

[Kez100]

Student Finance all done and dusted! Although :( because DD only gets the basic loans. Online system seemed pretty straightforward. Better than having to fill out forms.

[OnGoldenPond]

Kez, what do you get with the basic loans?

Trying to do some planning for DD but can't seem to get any straight info from direct.gov

At our income level unlikely to get anything means tested.