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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Applying for finance - parent detail question

32 replies

nameychange · 06/04/2021 17:21

Applying for DDs student finance and trying to log in as her parent to do my bit but it’s asks

Have you ever applied for student finance before?
Let us know if you've ever applied for student finance from the UK Government. It doesn't matter how long ago you applied, if it was online or using a paper form, or if you applied to us or your local authority.

I had a loan back in 1996 which came via the student loans company which I assume isn’t the government but I’m not totally sure. So not sure what i say to this question.

Is I select yes then the system can’t find me and directs me to a phone line which just rings out due to high call volume!

OP posts:
aibutohavethisusername · 06/04/2021 17:40

You answer yes. Make sure you check in your previous surname if you’ve changed it.

Soontobe60 · 06/04/2021 17:44

Is it not meaning your DD?

CottonBudd · 06/04/2021 17:48

Yes, I had an issue with this as like you I had a very early loan, one of the first years they were available, which they couldn't find. I can't remember the outcome but know I had to phone them to sort it out.

RandomMess · 06/04/2021 17:54

Why do they want to know if a parent had a student loan ShockConfused

ItWasntMyFault · 06/04/2021 17:59

Are you sure you're not trying to complete it as a student rather than a parent?
I think you've clicked on the wrong bit.

titchy · 06/04/2021 18:01

@RandomMess

Why do they want to know if a parent had a student loan ShockConfused
Because they take your repayments into account when they calculate how much your offspring gets.
littlewhitestar · 06/04/2021 18:04

You have to call them. They use your original loan ID (even if you had loan long before they went online and have paid it off) as the log in for your account (you have your own account for uploading financial details etc).

Student loans first started the year I went university. It was tiny (no tuition fees) so I was lucky to be able to pay it off in a couple of years. TBH, I was a bit Hmm that they had kept all my details and records when the account had been closed for decades.

Original poster
nameychange · 06/04/2021 18:12

Thanks all. Will keep trying on the phone as can’t log in at all with either surname ive used.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 06/04/2021 18:20

Bloody hell! Mine has been written off but shall hang onto the paperwork in readiness!

KatySun · 06/04/2021 20:48

I never had one - does this make a difference?

littlewhitestar · 06/04/2021 21:35

No @KatySun. It makes it easier! When you do the set up, it will create a new ID number and student loan account for uploading forms/tax returns/payslips etc if you have never had an account before (either as a student or parent supporting a loan). It's only people who have had a loan that have to use their old ID.

KatySun · 07/04/2021 19:08

Thanks, that is really helpful.

RainBow725 · 07/04/2021 19:24

I had the same thing. I did manage to get through on the phone but didn't pass security because I paid off my student load decades ago and surprise, surprise, I have moved several times since then and don't have the same email address. I've had to write a letter to get my details reset. Apparently a letter has some magic data protection waiver...

Original poster
nameychange · 07/04/2021 19:38

Thanks rainbow. I have the day off tomorrow so will try and contact them. I paid mine off around the time I had the child I’m now applying for uni finance for so 18isg years ago!

OP posts:
Viciouslybashed · 07/04/2021 20:58

Ah, was going to click on my link to start the process. Will I need to click yes even if it was written off. Seems very irritating as I don't think I know my account details. Will have a rummage of old paperwork.

littlewhitestar · 07/04/2021 21:11

You still need to click yes @Viciouslybashed.

I think, if you had an online account and still have the same email address, there is a way to do it even if you don't have the log in details/loan ID, like a password reset IYSWIM.

If you had a loan before they went online and don't have the loan ID, you have to call them.

Bayleaf25 · 10/04/2021 16:32

They still couldn’t find mine or husbands details when I phoned, they asked if I knew my customer number (from almost 30 years ago Grin) or the email address that was used for the account (didn’t have email when I went to uni). All very bizarre, we’ve had to fill out a hard copy form and post it in.
I’m hoping they can reset our account so we don’t have to do it manually every year.

Original poster
nameychange · 10/04/2021 20:53

I spent over 30mins on hold but couldn’t get to speak to a person. What I want to work out is if we don’t give our financial details will DD still get the basic maintenance loan?

OP posts:
Oddbutnotodd · 10/04/2021 21:02

If you don’t give any financial details your daughter will still get the basic loan

Original poster
nameychange · 10/04/2021 21:32

Ah that’s useful to know, based on our salaries she’ll only get the basic loan I think so maybe it’s just not worth the hassle?

OP posts:
MarchingFrogs · 11/04/2021 00:40

Ah that’s useful to know, based on our salaries she’ll only get the basic loan I think so maybe it’s just not worth the hassle?

Correct. All that will happen is that the means-testing process will be gone through and the answer will be what you all worked it out to be in the first place.

DS1 and DD were both warned by me they were only entitled to the minimum loan. DS1 didn't tick the 'assess me for as much as I can get' box and got minimum loan. DD forgot, ticked box. We got emails, I asked student finance if we needed to go through the process, got the response that if we did nothing, after a couple of weeks, DD would just be awarded the minimum anyway. Which she was.

Original poster
nameychange · 11/04/2021 07:22

Thanks marchingfrog - I’ll see if she can go back and change it, and not worry too much if she’s going to get the minimum amount anyway

OP posts:
MarchingFrogs · 11/04/2021 07:47

She doesn't need to change anything - you can just not do your bit, if you have already worked out from the calculator that it won't affect the amount she will be able to borrow.

Piggywaspushed · 11/04/2021 10:26

The SLC thing is a nightmare! DH went part time and suddenly we had to estimate earnings and provide lots of paperwork and evidence - and it's all looked at retrospectively so we could only provide evidence of full time salary.

In the end it was too tortuous and we just gave up. It would have made about £200 difference I think.

We technically also were supposed to declare what his younger brother had in a savings account. I didn't like that : it suggested somewhat that money was household income and could or even should be used to bail out his brother.

RainBow725 · 13/04/2021 21:17

@RainBow725

I had the same thing. I did manage to get through on the phone but didn't pass security because I paid off my student load decades ago and surprise, surprise, I have moved several times since then and don't have the same email address. I've had to write a letter to get my details reset. Apparently a letter has some magic data protection waiver...
Update from me. After I wrote the letter I was emailed new online details and I was able to complete the application. I got the email about 10 days after I sent the letter. What a bloody palaver though!