Applying for finance - parent detail question

[nameychange]

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!

[Middersweekly]

Thankyou those who replied. I think (hope) we have managed to do the form online yesterday. I did as suggested and ticked tuition fee only and it seems to have worked without having to fill in the other maintenance loan part. It wasn’t very clear on the gov.uk website, as it says those applying for tuition fee only should apply using a paper form. But then it was directing us to a form coded EU so it really should say “for EU students”. Although we live in the EU we are British and DD is entitled to home fees so this added to the confusion. She ‘could’ have also applied for the maintenance loan if she had wanted to as she was entitled. This means we were ok to apply online. Only those who are not entitled to the maintenance loan needed to apply on paper it seems. Either way I’ve now got to try and get her a UK National insurance number which will be another hurdle. It says it can take 16 weeks to get one .

[LovingBob]

When DS applied for his student loan (tuition fees and maintenance)a few years ago he didn't fill in the bit for the parents earnings at all, he would have got slightly more than the basic loan if our earnings had been taken into account but it didn't seem worth the bother for what was a very small amount, we made up his money to the maximum he would have got anyway so DS didn't lose out.

[nameychange]

I think when DD did her she did the tuition fees section and then the maintenance section I think you could skip the maintenance but you just said so.

[Middersweekly]

That’s what I need to know @MarchingFrogs. DD will be 18 and it will be her tuition fee loan. I didn’t think tuition fee loans were means tested so I’m not sure why they would need to ask questions about me or DH but they are quite nosey it seems, wanting to know the ins and outs of a cats elbow and parents with previous student loans from decades ago. I’m wondering if anyone else has applied for tuition fee only and what forms were necessary.

[MarchingFrogs]

Are you sure that she needs to give either parent's details if she is just applying for the tuition loan? It isn't means tested and it is her loan, not the parent's. The student doesn't even need to have their parent(s) sent an email re supporting gthemem if they are claiming to maintenance loan but not the means tested portion.

Is she going to be under 18 still when the loan needs to be released to the university? I suppose that might make a difference.

[Middersweekly]

To those that have already applied for their DC’s student loan. We would like to apply for tuition fee loan only for DD which is paid directly from SFE/SLC to the university. From what I’ve read we can’t apply for this online, it has to be completed on a paper form and posted to them. The form isn’t even available online until the end of this month apparently, which slows things up but never the less we will fill this in. What I wanted to ask was if they need mine or DH’s info? The parental info provided seems to be all based upon the maintenance loan. I can’t find any information regarding whether she will need to provide our details or not.

[nameychange]

Just to update, phone lines much quieter this week so DH and I both got through. Guy I spoke struggled to find mine as it had no national insurance number linked to it. All sorted now and completed.

Like others on here I’m a little surprised that this information is still held as it’s all long since paid off and because it is that it made doing this so much more complicated.

[RainBow725]

@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!

[Piggywaspushed]

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.

[MarchingFrogs]

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.

[nameychange]

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

[MarchingFrogs]

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.

[nameychange]

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?

[Oddbutnotodd]

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

[nameychange]

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?

[Bayleaf25]

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 ) 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.

[littlewhitestar]

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.

[Viciouslybashed]

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.

[nameychange]

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!

[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...

[KatySun]

Thanks, that is really helpful.

[littlewhitestar]

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]

I never had one - does this make a difference?

[RandomMess]

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

[nameychange]

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