Hi all, and love the forum!
I am new here, but a regular forum user.
There seems to be a lot of confusion with regards the SLC (Student Loans Company) and the CCA. (Consumer Credict Act, 1974).
Simple question:
If I have student loans from 1994, 95 and 96, is the Student Loans Company regulated under the CCA or does that Act not apply because the SLC is a government-based entity rather than a commercial one?
Some people say it does, others say it doesn't? Which is definitively correct?
If the CCA does apply, and I send them a CCA agreement request and they don't respond within 12 working days (and the SLC defaults) nor after 30 days - or is it 40days? - (and the SLC commits a criminal offence) where does that leave me legally?
I am not claiming back charges at this stage, but will do the S.A.R - (Subject Access Request) thing next. However, with the OFT test case in place, can the SLC put reclaims on hold, or does the test case not apply (in the same way that it doesn't apply to credit card charge reclaims)?
If someone can answer these and highlight if the law has changed in the last few months, then I'd be very grateful.
Cheers
Bulbosus.
ps. Anyone notice how the SLC APR interest from September 2007 is now double what it was (now at 4.8%...OUCH!!)
pps. May I also suggest that the administrators/moderators create an "SLC sticky" at the top of the Students subforum, which brings together all the key and relevant info in one succinct place? It's very confusing for a newbie to find this info - i.e. SLC letter templates; fees/timescales for getting info from the SLC; the difference between Mortgage-style student loans and Income-contingent ones; a brief step-by-step guide to claiming SLC charges back (CCA=>S.A.R - (Subject Access Request)=>LBA=>MCOL=>WIN) ; a list of acronyms and what they mean, etc... Would all be a very helpful starting point - not only can new users be quickly directed to the sticky, but it will cut down on those posts where someone "remembers reading somewhere"...
Edit: lol - I notice that the acronym for "subject access requests" is automated - nice touch!
Student Loans Company: Reclaiming Charges (sticky needed) 
