Understanding student loan letter.

[TheTurbonator]

So earlier this month I applied for a part-time student loan to do my Open University Physics degree, which I start in February. All seemed to be going well but I've just received a letter from Student Finance, which I can't make no sense of.

It seems to contradict itself by saying on one page that the amount available to me is £2500, which is the course fee for this year but then says on other pages that the amount they will pay to the University is £0.

I've included pictures of the letter so people can see but I just want to know whether this means the student loan has been accepted or declined?

[bertieg]

the application has been messed up, either by you or them (just as easy to be either. its a complicated application, and student finance is made up entirely of illiterate oxygen thieves)

give them a ring and say there is a problem with your application, they'll eventually get it sorted. don't expect it to happen quickly though

[PumpkinSteve]

"Tuition fee loan requested £0.00"

They're saying you haven't applied for a loan, aren't they?

[Carthage]

It's a bit contradictory - I read it as either;
1. You didn't ask for a Tuition Fee Loan on your application although you'd have been entitled to.
Or
2. They will only pay the OU when you actually become liable for fees (and to be liable you have to pick a module rather than just a programme or pathway).

Best advice would be to phone any contact you have on the letter and ask for clarification, and also to call the OU's Learner Support team for your region regarding your fee status.
You do have to enrol on a module, though, not just a pathway.

[TheTurbonator]

Thanks for the advice everyone, just glad it hasn't been declined and is probably just a mistake.

Just for clarification, I'm sure I filled it in right but I do remember leaving a part blank about student loans, as being part time I'm not entitled to any financial help which would be paid to me, instead of the uni. However as said the mistake could be just as much on my part as theirs.

Also, I have chosen my module, I'm supposed to start S104 in February.

[Carthage]

TheTurbonator said:

Thanks for the advice everyone, just glad it hasn't been declined and is probably just a mistake.

Just for clarification, I'm sure I filled it in right but I do remember leaving a part blank about student loans, as being part time I'm not entitled to any financial help which would be paid to me, instead of the uni. However as said the mistake could be just as much on my part as theirs.

Also, I have chosen my module, I'm supposed to start S104 in February.

Student Loans aren't renowned for their accurate or speedy service...worth getting in touch with the OU in case you don't get it sorted before mid Jan...the OU are quite used to fee problems and tend to be helpful.

[H_Kan]

Essentially it's saying your course fee is £2.5k, you could get a loan of upto £2.5k.

However, you have not requested any loan and therefore no loan is going to be paid to the OU.

The system was difficult to navigate when I went to uni a few years ago and is no easier for my brothers at present. Try and speak to an actual person there and see what needs doing in order to rectify it.

[MentalSarcasm]

Always get a photocopy of any forms you send to the SLC. They repeatedly told me that I hadn't given them my NI number in the summer before the start of my 2nd year and said that if I didn't send it to them I wouldn't get my loan. After 3 phone calls and 2 letters (they were sending me letters every 2 weeks to tell me I wouldn't be getting any money unless I gave them the information) I eventually dug out the copied paperwork that I had originally sent off and noticed that I HAD given them the number in the first place, one final phone call to tell them they had fked up (slightly politer than that obviously) and I had proof, and they quickly backtracked and sorted it out.

When you phone them make a note of the date and time and make sure you get name of whoever you speak to, I'm afraid this may take a while to get sorted out.

[TheTurbonator]

MentalSarcasm said:

Always get a photocopy of any forms you send to the SLC. They repeatedly told me that I hadn't given them my NI number in the summer before the start of my 2nd year and said that if I didn't send it to them I wouldn't get my loan. After 3 phone calls and 2 letters (they were sending me letters every 2 weeks to tell me I wouldn't be getting any money unless I gave them the information) I eventually dug out the copied paperwork that I had originally sent off and noticed that I HAD given them the number in the first place, one final phone call to tell them they had fked up (slightly politer than that obviously) and I had proof, and they quickly backtracked and sorted it out.

When you phone them make a note of the date and time and make sure you get name of whoever you speak to, I'm afraid this may take a while to get sorted out.

Thanks for the advice, I'll start making sure I photocopy all forms and recording any dealings I have with them. It says on the back of one of the letters that if I want to change the amount of loan, I have to fill in the relevant section again. I'm hoping it will just be as easy as that and I'll receive a response and confirmation in 3 weeks like I did this time.

[toastybase]

Thought OU was on BBC 2 in the early morning?

[TheRacingSnake]

Be wary when you start repaying. I have just had a 1200 refund due to overpaying and my sister got the same last week!!!

[Lazygraduate]

Be wary that they pay you the right amount, I got a letter from my university saying that there was a £600 shortfall and that I would be kicked off my course if I didn't pay! Had to stump up the cash and claim it back 3 months later from Student Finance!