The student finance people are demanding MY customer reference number to support my daughters application - I took out one loan on paper in 1992

[CottonOn]

I of course have no idea what it is. It says it doesn’t matter how long ago it was and to use the customer number I was given even if it was completed ‘on paper’ (it was) The website says NO when I give it my ID details and tells me to call a 0300 number at 16p per minute and tells me the wait is at least 45 minutes. I’m not even in the UK this month so it will be astronomical. HELP! This can’t be normal - what am I missing? Other than ancient documents? I can’t see any other way. My husband is going to have the same problem.

I'd be tempted to just make a random number up.

Are you sure it is referring to a loan from over 30 years ago?

That would be fine but I need to prove my credentials 😳

I'm having exactly the same problem! Let me know if you find out how to proceed!

Create an accountHave 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.
Have you ever applied for student finance before?
Yes, I have applied for student finance before
No, I haven't applied for student finance before

If you say yes you end up in a loop and served up a premium rate phone number

Just say no

It’s bonkers! Someone must know?

I was just about to suggest this.

Blimey. Just say "no I haven't applied for student finance before". What earthly difference does it make to your daughter's application? They understandably don't want each person in the country to have half a dozen accounts on their system, but really this is not your issue.

Surely it's no because it's for your daughter and she hasn't applied before? You're number isn't relevant as you're just assisting her with her application. Or have I misunderstood?

I’m not from the UK so not familiar with how students loans there work, but surely GDPR requires them to delete all of that info after a period of time anyway so they shouldn’t have any records related to someone from 30 years ago?

It says that falsifying this will delay her application?

Lie, and say no 🤷‍♀️

If they challenge yousay you didn't remember. And while they're at it... what's your ref no?

I assume this is because you are applying for the maximum loan.
If you are only applying for the minimum you don’t need to give any details.

This is what the website says - it knows I’m her parent at this point

Create an accountHave 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.
Have you ever applied for student finance before?
Yes, I have applied for student finance before
No, I haven't applied for student finance before

Is the application in your daughter's name? For her student finance? I'd expect the question to be relevant to the personal applying.
I'm a few years off needing to do this for my dC although I have a student loan outstanding as I'm not currently working.

But this faffing about is also "delaying her application". I can't believe this is a material omission.

Nope - we’re in the middle

You probably just need to fill out the PFF2 form in to link you to your child. You can get a copy online and attach it to your account and to hers. Look on WIWIKAU on Facebook, it's happening to everyone.

Well if they can check easily perhaps they can get back to you with the customer number!
I think you’ve tried to say yes, say no and see if someone calls you about it. It has no bearing on her entitlement so you’re not cheating anyone out of anything. They’re just making it impossible to answer the question. You can do a bit of plausible deniability if called on it?

This sounds both helpful and baffling - will start Googling

The best way is to apply on a paper form - a pff2. You can do it online then attach it to your child's application as supporting evidence. It still asks for your number but says "if known" so you don't have to fill it in. There have been lots of problems with SfE this year and lots of people have had to fill these pff2 forms in for various reasons.

Create an accountHave you ever applied for student finance before?

Is there one account, ie your daughters, where you and your DH input your own details?
Or are you having to make an account each?
Without any other context, I would interpret the ‘you’ as meaning the applicant rather than the applicant’s parent.

I you sure they don't mean previous applications for any other dc?