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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say I don't already have a degree to get a student loan?

203 replies

Harkonen · 10/05/2023 17:36

I did a BA in English Lit 1989, but want to retrain as a counsellor. There's a foundation degree at a college near me which would be great. I'm not eligible for a loan from student finance due to having already done a degree 35 years ago. The college I did it at has changed its name. AIBU to say I don't have a degree? How would they ever know? I'm married now with a different name. I am aware this is very illegal and tbh I know already I won't do it as I'm normally very law abiding! I can't afford to do the degree through self funding.

OP posts:
Jazzyjezzabelle · 10/05/2023 17:38

AIBU to commit fraud and steal. Aye. Aye you are.

Confused
titchy · 10/05/2023 17:39

Do it part time then you'll be eligible.

Frabbits · 10/05/2023 17:39

That would literally be fraud.

ReadersD1gest · 10/05/2023 17:39

You'll make a marvellous counsellor.

Oneanddone88 · 10/05/2023 17:40

Are you thick ? Of course they'll find out 🤣

35965a · 10/05/2023 17:41

Surely it’ll be linked to your national insurance number and they’ll know?

Shinyandnew1 · 10/05/2023 17:41

Hmmm, wouldn’t they be able to find you from your National Insurance number?

Ilovetea42 · 10/05/2023 17:42

Are you not entitled to a post graduate loan? I got one for my masters...

Fluffyhoglets · 10/05/2023 17:42

Possible through your national insurance number. Your first degree would have been government funded back in the day so I'm sure there will be a record of you having done it somewhere.

I'm sure I heard there were proposals to extend student finance to people who already have a degree in the Budget this year - to enable people to do more than one degree if they want to change careers. It wont be in yet though.

Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 17:43

titchy · 10/05/2023 17:39

Do it part time then you'll be eligible.

It is part time.

OP posts:
isitsmallorfaraway · 10/05/2023 17:43

A counsellor with no moral compass. Perfect Hmm

AnneWhittle · 10/05/2023 17:43

not a great start to a career in counselling

Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 17:43

Ilovetea42 · 10/05/2023 17:42

Are you not entitled to a post graduate loan? I got one for my masters...

There's no Masters near me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 17:44

isitsmallorfaraway · 10/05/2023 17:43

A counsellor with no moral compass. Perfect Hmm

Well, I'm not actually going to do it, so more a counsellor who can see things from many angles and doesn't judge.

OP posts:
sevenbyseven · 10/05/2023 17:44

Whether or not you got caught, it's fraud.

Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 17:45

Fluffyhoglets · 10/05/2023 17:42

Possible through your national insurance number. Your first degree would have been government funded back in the day so I'm sure there will be a record of you having done it somewhere.

I'm sure I heard there were proposals to extend student finance to people who already have a degree in the Budget this year - to enable people to do more than one degree if they want to change careers. It wont be in yet though.

Thanks. Sounds sensible.

OP posts:
ReadersD1gest · 10/05/2023 17:46

Harkonen · 10/05/2023 17:44

Well, I'm not actually going to do it, so more a counsellor who can see things from many angles and doesn't judge.

Show quote history

Eh? You're only not going to do it because you now know you won't get away with it.

curtaintwitcher23 · 10/05/2023 17:46

What would she be stealing if she has to pay it all back?

ColgateAndMustardShouldNeverMix · 10/05/2023 17:47

You can legitimately get a student loan for some degrees even if you’ve already got one, but I don’t know if counselling is one of them. I think they’re mainly STEM or healthcare.

Moonlaserbearwolf · 10/05/2023 17:48

As you already have a degree, is there a shorter course you can do for counselling? You say there are no masters courses near you - does this mean a masters is a viable option? If so, it would surely make sense to complete an online masters. Then location isn’t an issue. Why do a whole undergraduate degree if you can achieve what you need with a masters?

PandaOrLion · 10/05/2023 17:49

As a therapist, I don’t recommend a BA in counselling. It’s common to travel for the MSc - training is SO expensive having the fees mostly covered helps.

Hobbi · 10/05/2023 17:50

curtaintwitcher23 · 10/05/2023 17:46

What would she be stealing if she has to pay it all back?

She would be accessing finance which she had already been given. You are generally entitled to 4 years of undergraduate finance. She also doesn't have to pay it back - that's dependent on income. Otherwise I'd do a degree in the run up to my retirement just for fun.

Malarandras · 10/05/2023 17:51

Fraud is unreasonable. Also illegal.

tikkanaan · 10/05/2023 17:54

Go for it! Then get hit with a whopping great big fine when they catch you out and a criminal record.

ilovesooty · 10/05/2023 17:55

Jazzyjezzabelle · 10/05/2023 17:38

AIBU to commit fraud and steal. Aye. Aye you are.

Confused

Exactly. Not a great look for counselling training is it?

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