"we" forgot to apply for student finance!

[alifemoreorlessordinary]

ha! Thought we'd done it earlier in the year, DS is now applying after enrolling for his course today (freshers week)! I think the confusion came because he completed one year at another uni 2 years ago, and I remember him applying for that- time goes so fast! Plus he had an invoice from his current uni with "tuition fees = £0.00" so I said it looked like his tuition fees had been paid, therefore must have gone down the student finance route! And busy with packing etc we just didn't check last week.
So he will get the money at some point - i'm wondering whether this is a good/quieter time to apply, as possibly the majority of students applied ages ago anyway! And he's missed the rush! (he does have money to survive). Anyone in the same boat?

[BogglesGoggles]

So long as they’ve let him enrol that’s the main thing. Could you perhaps just pay this year yourselves and then apply again next year if for some reason it doesn’t work out?

[alifemoreorlessordinary]

oh goodness, it didn't even cross my mind they wouldn't accept him- is that a real possibility?he hasn't mentioned it, but then it's a new course and maybe they want the numbers?
Would have to be bank loan or big overdraft for us to pay. Is there a deadline for applying, feel really bad for this, was worried about everything else

[Frequency]

OP, ime, they will accept him and wait for SFE to pay. That's how all my courses worked - I have a habit of deciding I want to study in late September and applying for things late. He might have to prove he has applied and may be asked to provide proof he is eligible e.g bank statements, passport etc but I very much doubt he'll be rejected from the course.

Saying that, all my courses have been through the adult learner loan and with local colleges rather than uni.

[alifemoreorlessordinary]

thank you, ok, well he has said he has applied just now, and the website says "don't panic if you've applied less than 4 weeks before the start of the course". They can give some money and then re adjust when they have all the information. hopefully panic over, and breathe... i need an emoji for going off to lie down in a darkened room...

[DontLettuceBrexitLettuceRemain]

He needs to let his university know via student services. A) so they know his tuition fees will be late and B) some offer bridging loans etc to help him in the meantime.

Might also be worth getting him to set reminders for next years as well given that you have to reapply every year!

[runoutofnamechanges]

The actual deadline is not until the end of the academic year. You can apply at any point eg if you had wealthy parents who were paying your fees and living costs but they stopped half way through the year, you could still apply.

The university may require proof that he is eligible for the tuition fee loan (or has other means to pay) before he can enrol. From memory, approval for the tuition fees loan and non means-tested part of the loan was almost instantaneous after applying (for British citizens) as I think it is processed automatically using their NI number rather than by a person. The university then has to confirm enrolment and the money is released. That might take a few days but he should get some money fairly quickly.

The means tested part of the could take some time to process though. I had a change of circumstances in July before DD started and every time they requested further proof it took about 6 weeks. She didn't get her full entitlement until December! The university offered loans and deferment of accommodation fees for students who had delays with SFE though.

[alifemoreorlessordinary]

thanks for more reassurance; he went to enroll this morning, which is where I presume he found out, (he just messaged to let me know), and has said he has now applied, had all the info he needed with him, and is off to his induction. We have already paid for his accommodation.
On the plus side, if the not all the money is released to him at once he shouldn't then be able to spend it all before the end of term