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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 17:58

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

Doesn’t judge criminals? Well I guess not, when you’re on the rob you’re on the rob.

caringcarer · 10/05/2023 17:59

Take out a loan. Then pay it back when you qualify. The course admin will want your name and NI number.

caringcarer · 10/05/2023 18:00

Could you do a Maters online and just travel for practical aspects.

FurAndFeathers · 10/05/2023 18:01

If you’ve never had student finance for a degree you should be eligible

MrsMcisaCt · 10/05/2023 18:02

ReadersD1gest · 10/05/2023 17:39

You'll make a marvellous counsellor.

😂

jellyandscream · 10/05/2023 18:02

Get a career development loan instead.

Jazzyjezzabelle · 10/05/2023 18:04

curtaintwitcher23 · 10/05/2023 17:46

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

only half pay it back or something of that ilk. As she’s considering defrauding I’m not assuming a great counsellor. So unlikely to ever earn high enough to pay it back. Also likely hood is she’d be caught trying to defraud them.

Fandabedodgy · 10/05/2023 18:05

It would be phenomenally stupid and you would get caught.

A fairly straightforward credit check will find this out.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 10/05/2023 18:05

It's not even worth trying. Records are kept and accessible for the prevention of fraud.

Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 18:05

FurAndFeathers · 10/05/2023 18:01

If you’ve never had student finance for a degree you should be eligible

No it's any first degree even if self funded.

OP posts:
Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 18:06

caringcarer · 10/05/2023 18:00

Could you do a Maters online and just travel for practical aspects.

No a good Masters should be face to face really.

OP posts:
Floppyelf · 10/05/2023 18:07

How long was your degree. If you only took out 3 years of student finance than you’re eligible for a 4th year.

Handsnotwands · 10/05/2023 18:07

Oneanddone88 · 10/05/2023 17:40

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

I’m not sure they would. The student loans company was a shit show in the early days. I know of more than a couple of people who’s loans “disappeared” they’ve never made payment or had them show up on anything

Hobbi · 10/05/2023 18:13

FurAndFeathers · 10/05/2023 18:01

If you’ve never had student finance for a degree you should be eligible

She's already done a degree, in 1989. She would have had that degree for 'free' and probably a grant from her LA. That counts as student finance just as much as the more recent loans.

titchy · 10/05/2023 18:14

If it's part time it counts as a STEM course and is therefore eligible for ELQ funding.

Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 18:15

Hobbi · 10/05/2023 18:13

She's already done a degree, in 1989. She would have had that degree for 'free' and probably a grant from her LA. That counts as student finance just as much as the more recent loans.

Show quote history

Even self funded degrees make you non eligible.

OP posts:
Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 18:15

Handsnotwands · 10/05/2023 18:07

I’m not sure they would. The student loans company was a shit show in the early days. I know of more than a couple of people who’s loans “disappeared” they’ve never made payment or had them show up on anything

Show quote history

I've never had a student loan.

OP posts:
Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 18:18

titchy · 10/05/2023 18:14

If it's part time it counts as a STEM course and is therefore eligible for ELQ funding.

Student Finance doesn't open for 2023 September part time courses until June. So I won't know until then if I'm eligible or not, by which time the course will probably be full.

OP posts:
Hobbi · 10/05/2023 18:20

@Harkonen

I know, I was addressing the finance element. Fees for degrees are a little like prescription charges, they're not really directly related to the cost of the course.

GeraltsBathtub · 10/05/2023 18:24

curtaintwitcher23 · 10/05/2023 17:46

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

She wouldn’t pay it back though. She’s in her 50s at least and counselling is not a highly paid profession to pay it all back before she retires.

titchy · 10/05/2023 18:30

Student Finance doesn't open for 2023 September part time courses until June. So I won't know until then if I'm eligible or not, by which time the course will probably be ful

Eh? You can still apply now. You won't be required to pay in advance. Don't forget everyone else applying will also need to wait for SF to open.

namechange3394 · 10/05/2023 18:30

You surely don't really think they just look up Jane Smith on a database to check if she's already had a loan, and if she was formerly Jane Robinson they just can't track her and go oh, ok, she's all right for a loan then? I know the civil service is not renowned for its efficiency but even we've got a bit beyond that.

There are much better identifiers than your name (which for a start is clearly not unique) - your NINO for one. You won't get a loan paid without providing that anyway, so it's very obvious how they could track you.

Original poster
Harkonen · 10/05/2023 18:30

titchy · 10/05/2023 18:30

Student Finance doesn't open for 2023 September part time courses until June. So I won't know until then if I'm eligible or not, by which time the course will probably be ful

Eh? You can still apply now. You won't be required to pay in advance. Don't forget everyone else applying will also need to wait for SF to open.

No point in applying if I won't get student finance!

OP posts:
titchy · 10/05/2023 18:35

No point in applying if I won't get student finance!

So if you can't actually be bothered to even apply g- is it really that onerous - then maybe counselling isn't for you. You'll need more determination and tenacity than you seem to have 🤷‍♀️

titchy · 10/05/2023 18:36

I meant to say given that you ARE eligible. You could also phone SFE or the college and ask.