student finance are asking for money back which I know I dont owe.

[booeybubble]

Hi

 

Im really hoping someone here can help me. I will try and keep this as short as I can.

 

 

I started a degree as a september starter but changed my university and course 5 months into my first year and then become a february starter.

 

Student Finance did what they called a 'multi-acedemic accessement'

 

My 2011/12 acedemic year went from sept 2011 right through to feb 2013 which was when year 2 started.

 

I was entitled to full parents learning allowance and special support grant for this period.

 

I also claimed for childcare which is where there seems to be a problem.

 

I received a payment in sept 2011 and jan 2012 for childcare which I used for childcare and confirmed with CCG2 forms.

 

Because of the change in the course I didnt receive the normal feb starters payment in february (due to already getting januarys money)

 

so between feb 2012 and jan 2013 I received 2 payments of grants, loan and childcare.

 

The money given to my for childcare was used for childcare apart from around 1500 pound

(this was only because no one was able to tell me what figure was the speacial support grant, childcare and parents learning allowance)

 

I had to figure out this for myself (very difficult when you dont know how they calculate the multi acedemic accessements).

 

they have sent me a letter saying they have overpaid me 5255.00 pounds in grants between 2011/12 year.

this is not true and

they have taken the money from my grants which leaves me and my two children with hardly anything

(its going to probably force me to end my degree as I cant afford to get there etc let alone pay my bills).

 

Ive looked at the figures and they are quite clearly taking into account the two childcare payments they gave me prior to changing the degree

(even though it was used for childcare)

 

Im therefore being penalised for changing half way through,

which makes me wonder what was the point in the multi-acedemic assessement

as its not uncommon for a student to change their mind in the first year.

 

both before and after the change of degree i was entitled to childcare

and regardless of it being used and confirmed for childcare they still want it back.

 

theyve not even confirmed how they have come to this conclusion

all they are saying is its due to a childcare overpayment and thats it.

 

I would honestly know if Ive pocketed 5255.00 for myself.

 

I hae completely followed all avenues with the complaints team

and its gone to the final stage so got to wait 10 working days for a response.

 

this has been going on since december last year and Im getting nowhere.

 

Its got so complex that the staff (even complaints team) cannot make heads nor tails of the account.

 

Please help if you can as I simply cannot survive on just my loan.

[Brownguy53]

it sounds like someone messed up on your appliction. funnily enough ive been hearing of this alot lately. I would give them a chance to see what they do and if they dont resolve it you can take it tothe fob