Summer Help!

[LittleSnowBear]

Hi everyone!

I'm having problems and I wondered if anyone has any advice.

 

I have returned to university (sept2008 )whilst I get the full student loan, the problem is this covers me for the term time it will not cover me for the summer months. I have been trying to get a job but have found this impossible so far and as I live alone I have rent, bills and have to eat over the summer and I don't know what to do!

[the_freedom_trail]

Hi

 

I know what you must be feeling - my gf and I were in the same situation. We have recently finished our final year of uni; however, we are officially classed as students until our course end date of 3rd July 2009. It has been an uphill struggle until now and we've had to ask our parents for help for money just to scrape the rent in the short term until we can find jobs ourselves.

 

Is it right you will be returning to uni after the summer months? If so, there is very little that can be done in my experience, however I have heard that it might be possible to get a bursary from your uni or it might be worth contacting the student loans company to see if they can offer you an extended loan. I know its hard but don't worry yourself as something will work out. Sorry I can't offer much advice, but hope all works out well for you!

 

Keep persevering!

Edited June 27, 2009 by the_freedom_trail

[LittleSnowBear]

I have actually contacted my university about their "summer fund" they have informed me that it only goes to lone parents and that I should get a job. Which is easier said than done. I have told them if i don't get money soon I will lose my accomodation and will have to leave uni. They have basically told me they don't care. My student loan for this year was less than everyone elses due to previous study and barely got me through the academic year, which when I went into the uni they calculated my budget divided by the weeks in the academic year. Therefore according to them I have (just) enough to live on during the 30 something weeks I am studying. Supposedly If I cannot get a job over the summer I have to cease to exist and recorporealise in september?

[yourbank]

Have you tried pubs, supermarkets, all the usual jobsites?

[LittleSnowBear]

Yes I have.

 

I got a one off 25hours last week but that was all I could get so far. Plus I was ill during the second semseter which means I have assignments to complete over the summer.

[summanotre]

Both my sons are in the same predicament - however, they are at home for the summer as it is an easy solution. Although I know its not possible for everyone.

 

I would advise you to seek advice relating to income support and housing benefit. It is particularly relevent to you as you rent. These were avenues my sons were told to explore but in the end as I say, I just told them to come home.

 

Perhaps talk to your student advisor - thats what they're there for (I mean they are supposed to help you in situations like this) - as well as the benefits office.

[LittleSnowBear]

Thanks for the advice but my university told be I would not be intitled to income support or housing benefit they have told me they cannot help in any way shape or form. I emailed them a week ago to check again if there was any funds available and have not recieved a reply.

 

This may just all get sorted out soon as if i do not pay my rent by 17th july I have been told to vacate the property and have been issued with a notice of seeking possession by the council. This will mean I have to leave university and go on JSA.

[yourbank]

I would ask the question in this forum

The Student Room: Student Guides, Help, Advice & Community

They have a money and advice section there. I'm NatWestStaffMember on that forum but it's not my specialisation. Hopefully some good peeps there can advise the options open to you.

[LittleSnowBear]

Thank you YourBank I shall check this out!

[the_freedom_trail]

Hi again,

 

Have you got a student account? Or have you tried to get credit from one of the banks?

 

I know its not great to solve debt with debt but it will give you that break and take some of the relieve off until you can find work or finish your degree as you don't want to give that up as it is a good future prospect for you in securing a good career with hopefully better pay.

 

TFT

[LittleSnowBear]

I do have a student account with an overdraft of 1400 all used up (paid half my tuition fees with it)

 

I just need temporary relief until my loan comes in (I will get my tuition fees paid next year so my finances should be ok).

 

Not quite sure how to get credit and I think my credit rating is bad.

 

On a good note I have earned a few pounds doing mystery shopping though this does not bring a lot of money in at least I'm trying!

[the_freedom_trail]

My gf is in a bit of debt going through uni and has maxed out her student overdraft; however, she has 2 current bank accounts and was able to get a £300 overdraft on one to help matters. In the past she has also had a student credit card with upto £700 on it. (However, you must remember to pay the interest on money borrowed and the minimum credit card payment) Can get quiet complicated to manage!

 

Have you a current account? - it may be worth a try. Although, saying that with the state of the banking industry at the mo they might be withholding overdraft facilities. It is likely to depend on your credit history.

 

Why do you say your credit rating is bad?

 

TFT

[LittleSnowBear]

I had a credit card the first time i was at uni when I left due to illness I couldn't afford the payments and my student overdraft started gaining interest as well because I was no longer a student. I went on incapacity benefit and agreed with the credit card company to pay back £10 per month. I kept in contact with my bank but the interest of £35 a month was too much for me and I ended up switching banks because they would not offer me any help at all. so it kept gaining interest and charges they are currently applying for a CCJ against me because I cannot pay any of the balance, my bank offered me a settlement of 700 pounds less (which is more than the charges) but as I have no money I cannot take this up and they said they will issue court proceedings against me. So I figure I've got no chance of getting credit!

 

Its not like i'm not willing to get a job, I've tried and tried but I think my lack of recent work experience is holding me back. My uni funding service spoke to me like I was a lazy blockhead and said "well get a job" and acted like I had spent all my money on booze or something (which I haven't). I left the building in tears because I am so worried I will have to leave all for a few months of no money. I do not want to leave I adore my course and think its the most valuble thing i have ever done, the course has worked wonders for my depression but currently I am not getting any work done because I am constantly worrying about my financial situation. My illness is not "servere" enough to qualify for DLA, but if it does get that bad I won't beable to cope with studying anyway. My teachers are sympathetic to my health problems and have given me extra time to complete my assignments and I know I am capable of getting a very good grade everything feels like a huge mess right now.

[the_freedom_trail]

I had a credit card the first time i was at uni when I left due to illness I couldn't afford the payments and my student overdraft started gaining interest as well because I was no longer a student. I went on incapacity benefit and agreed with the credit card company to pay back £10 per month. I kept in contact with my bank but the interest of £35 a month was too much for me and I ended up switching banks because they would not offer me any help at all. so it kept gaining interest and charges they are currently applying for a CCJ against me because I cannot pay any of the balance, my bank offered me a settlement of 700 pounds less (which is more than the charges) but as I have no money I cannot take this up and they said they will issue court proceedings against me. So I figure I've got no chance of getting credit!

 

Its not like i'm not willing to get a job, I've tried and tried but I think my lack of recent work experience is holding me back. My uni funding service spoke to me like I was a lazy blockhead and said "well get a job" and acted like I had spent all my money on booze or something (which I haven't). I left the building in tears because I am so worried I will have to leave all for a few months of no money. I do not want to leave I adore my course and think its the most valuble thing i have ever done, the course has worked wonders for my depression but currently I am not getting any work done because I am constantly worrying about my financial situation. My illness is not "servere" enough to qualify for DLA, but if it does get that bad I won't beable to cope with studying anyway. My teachers are sympathetic to my health problems and have given me extra time to complete my assignments and I know I am capable of getting a very good grade everything feels like a huge mess right now.

 

 

Ok, it seems like you have got yourself in a bit of a pickle, however, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Firstly, you need to deal with this business with the bank that is trying to apply for a CCJ against you. Before I can help, can you tell me whether they have actually embarked on county court action or are they just saying they intend to?

 

TFT

[LittleSnowBear]

They are saying they intend to but I have not recieved any papers yet.

[the_freedom_trail]

Ok, do you know whether you have any bank charges on the account. For example, unpaid item fees, overlimit fees, etc?

 

TFT

[LittleSnowBear]

Yes I do, I spoke to the debt collection agency and they said even if i start the process of reclaiming they are required to recover the full balance anyway. The credit card debt collector said months ago they were starting legal proceedings but I have still not heard anything from them.

[the_freedom_trail]

Hi LittleSnowBear,

 

the more information you give me, the more the matter becomes clear. This is good because I can help you to get out of this mess and back on track. I have just graduated from university so I know it is tough being a student but am more than happy to help you out.

 

There are a few things that you should know about debt collectors. Firstly, they will tell you that the world is flat if they think it will get you to cough up.

 

Secondly, they lie and cheat their way to getting anything they can out of you.

 

Thirdly, they have no more legal powers than you or I?

 

From this moment on, do not speak to a debt collector over the phone.

 

With regards the debt collector taking you to court, this is unlikely as you have no money. What would be the point, if the county court judge found against you he would look at your income and expenditure and just require you to make a nominal payment. This would not allow the bank to recover their money any time soon.

 

This leads me to the next point, if the bank did take you to court then you could immediately counter claim for unlawful bank charges. However, it need not go that far.

 

May I ask, have you spoken to anyone about this. Also, who is the debt collector involved?

 

TFT

[LittleSnowBear]

I asked my uni's "money doctors" about what to do, they gave me a leaflet and told me it wasn't their problem. The credit card is now with Geoffrey Parker Bourne solictors and the overdraft was with triton but got passed to Allied International last week.

[the_freedom_trail]

OK, what you need to do is identify all the charges that were applied to the credit card account and the overdrawn account.

 

Once you have done this, you can establish how much actually owe each creditor - any bank charges are unlawful and should not be paid to the bank or any of their agents.

 

Once you have done this, you need to send a CCA request (which I can help you with) to the debt collector for the credit card. Without this, the debt cannot be legally enforced. In addition, you also need to request from the debt collector a notice of assignment. This gives them the right to collect the debt from you in the first instance.

 

With regards to the overdrawn account, could you afford to pay even a £1 a month towards it?

 

Don't let all this worry you, I have successfully and quite easily dealt with three debt collectors for my partner.

 

TFT

[LittleSnowBear]

I can't really afford to pay anything until i get a job or get my student loan

[the_freedom_trail]

Well, the thing is that you are what is often referred to as being a man of straw e.g. with no money. Assuming you have no assets, e.g. car, house, yacht or substantial savings I really cannot see any debt collector suing you for these debts because commercially it would cost them more money than they could ever hope to get back.

 

My advice is get a CCA sent off to the credit card company, find out if this debt is actually legally enforceable.

 

Secondly, write to the debt collector who is trying to collect on the overdrawn account, request a statement of account and a valid notice of assignment. The statement of account will allow you to see whether they have stuck on any charges (which they often do). The notice of assignment will prove that they have a legal right to collect the debt or not.

 

Keep us updated,

 

TFT