The Great H*BC Rip Off!

**Parker** · 09-09-2005, 02:33 PM

Thanks Foxy, perhaps it was just that she had advised me that I should try and get through the first year and then apply for this help?

I think I will try and write some kind of budget and see what shortfall there is and then give my graduate manager at Natwest a call, she was very good when I was sorting my grad loan.

There seems to be a little confusion over the top-up fee situation for existing students, I know that we will only be liable for the original ~£1200 fees but once they come in, will we be able to defer payment until post qualification in the same way that they can? I am fairly sure that I read that you can but not sure where and whether that was a reliable source.

Thanks guys!

P xx

**ali** · 13-09-2005, 05:58 PM

hi guys,

i will be starting my 2nd year in southampton in 3 weeks time. i am also a grad/mature so i needed to get a bank loan on top of my student loan.

i had a lot of problems in getting a loan last year. natwest told me i couldnt get it in the first year and barclays told me to visit them only after i started my course.

i had more luck with HSBC. last year they were only charging 1% above the base rate and u could apply for up to 25,000. i secured something near the full amount but they advised me to get a life insurance. i had a chat with their insurance advisor and thought about it for a few weeks. by then i had received my first instalment of my loan and i decided against getting the insurance. they never contacted me about the insurance and have been paying my money right on time (you will only see the money a day later in ur account, so if u dont see the money on the same day dont worry too much).

i think it just depends on who u speak in each bank. if they are the student/graduate advisor then u should be ok in securing your loan.

good luck