Does anyone know what happens if you drop out of Uni in the first weeks?

[Strictlynonchancing]

DD is meant to start uni on Tuesday. She has also been in the recruitment process for a very highly sought after apprenticeship that starts in January since April and she’s now down to the last 5.

The last interview was last week but she won’t hear the outcome until after Uni starts so she’ll start on Tuesday in case she isn’t successful.

If she gets the apprenticeship she’ll drop out of Uni.

What happens then? What fees will be due and what happens to the student finance?

Any advice would be very welcome in case this happens. I won’t know where to start helping her sort it all out

There is usually a period of time - up to late November when I was at uni but I believe it varies by uni and course - where if you pull out by this point it’s considered a false start with no course fees due. Your daughters best bet is to contact student services / registration now and explain what could happen, they will be able to provide specific information for the uni and course. Lots of people drop out at various stages, including very early on, for a variety of reasons, this will be completely run of the mill for the uni.

At our place, withdrawal after week 2 means 25% fee liability, rising to 50% after Christmas. I believe this is SFE rules so should be similar everywhere. There's no change to SFE terms and conditions so you won't suddenly have to repay.

Ah ok thanks, 25% of the whole years fees or 25% of the term?

So any fees payable would remain as a student loan would it?

25% of the year so roughly £2.3k. Yes should stay as loan, withdrawing doesn't change the terms so it's paid off when earning enough.

Thank you. Big amount when you think she may only actually attend 4 full days out of two weeks 🤯

What about her maintenance loan? Does she just pay all that back?

@Strictlynonchancing

What about her maintenance loan? Does she just pay all that back?

I believe she’ll need to pay it back straight away with a small amount she’ll be allowed to keep based on the number of days she’s attended.

The big issue tends to be accommodation, as she’ll have signed the contract for the year and therefore be liable

www.gov.uk/student-finance-if-you-suspend-or-leave

Hopefully she will be able to get someone to take over her accommodation - most unis seem to have a shortfall this year. Speak to accommodation services - they may just have awaiting list and be able to slot someone in quickly. Otherwise there is usually a facebook page for the uni dealing with accommodation swops and those wanting accommodation.

Agree accomodation could be the bigger issue if she has it.
Is she dead set on the apprenticeship if she gets it? If the amount owed to uni does not increase between now and christmas I’d probably encourage her to press on for his term in case she has a change of heart.
Though with the way things are going a good apprenticeship could well be a lot more valuable than a degree

Is she in private rented or uni halls?

I asked this recently too and gots lots of useful advice here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4324228-When-are-you-officially-committed-to-first-term-uni-fees

She’s actually living at home so no accommodation costs. Thanks all