SAAS wont pay tuition fees Help please

[x_miss_lori_x]

Im writing on behalf of my boyfriend to look for advice.
He started an HNC/D course in scotland, in Graphic design a few years ago, however for personal reasons did not complete this.
He now would like to return to college and has been accepted to do and HND in Architectural Conservation and is due to start in september this year.
I was always under the impression that with any course funded by SAAS that you were allowed a false start. However according to saas this is only the case for HND and Degree courses. They say that if you have previously started an HNC and not completed it they will not fund you for anything else.
Without funding for the tuition fees it is not possible for him to pay himself and therefore will be unable to go back to college.
I think this is very unfair and is stopping someone who clearly wants to get back into education from learning.
Has anyone else been in this situation or can anyone help with this. it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[old_andrew2007]

bump

[x_miss_lori_x]

what is that comment supposed to mean?
it isnt exactly helpful to me.

[Sol]

He was bumping it up to the top of the list.

I don't think there is anything else you can do other than pay the fees yourself. SAAS and SLC are strict about their procedures.

[x_miss_lori_x]

sorry i see, im new to this forum stuff so i dont know the language used here.
I understand that they are strict but what i dont understand is why that if you do not complete the first year of an HNC course then you are not eligable for funding for any other course, however you are allowed to have a false start for an HND or Degree course.
I myself have never completed an HNC or HND as I went straight to Degree level during which I had a false start and was able to gain funding to complete this degree.
However in the case of someone such as my partner who is not able to go straight to a degree, i do not understand how progression is possible as he can not gain funding for any type of course now.
as self funding is not an option, how is it then possible for my partner and others like him to get back into education?

SAAS says
"SAAS also appreciates that it can be difficult to know if you’ve made the right choice of course. On one occasion only, SAAS will allow what’s known as a 'false start'. If you don’t do more than one year of an HND, degree or equivalent level course (i.e. you don’t progress into the second year), SAAS will ignore the support given to you for the first year and give full financial support for another HND, degree or equivalent level course. Do not automatically assume that you will be eligible for a ‘false start’. Always check with a student finance adviser at your institution or contact SAAS. A false start is not available for an HNC or similar level course."


My point is that as HNC courses can be accessed by people as young as 16 (perhaps younger I am not sure of the minimum age limit), does it seem fair that a youngster straight from school embarks on an HNC course then decides its not for them and returns to school, then in the future when they are a little older wishes to start another course such as a degree, find that it is not possible due to the previous false start.

I would appreciate if there is anyone who could give me more information on the subject or direct me to someone who could be of help

[Sol]

If they won't budge on that then there isn't anything else you can do through them.

Your partner may be eligible for a Career Development Loan, although I don't know a lot about them to be honest. There are three banks that provide this: RBS, Barclays and the Co-op bank.

[poppynurse]

The other option is to do a levels or equivalent, or an OU course to get the qualifications to get on a degree course.

Takes longer but can be done.

[x_miss_lori_x]

I appreciate your answers I will be looking more into this and taking it further.
poppynurse - thanks but it is not about qualifications or time as he is also not eligable for funding for a degree course either now because of this.

[old_andrew2007]

He could appeal I expect the SAAS have some regulator, have you contacted your MSP