We will get loans to cover top-up fees!

**wanabanana** · 15-03-2006, 12:23 AM

Hello,

I've just spoken to someone at student finance direct, who are the ones that coordinate student loans and LEA support, and they confirmed that graduate medical students who have a previous degree will get loans to cover the top-up fees!!!! This correlates with what a couple of people I spoke to at interviews said, who had spoken to their LEA's and the same company.

Fantastic news!!!

**DH2005** · 15-03-2006, 12:46 AM

It'd be great if it were true, but I'll believe it when I see it.

My local LEA has told me that I will only be eligible for a maintenance loan, and not for a fee loan. I have had it confirmed in very firm and specific language that this is the national position by the Norfolk LEA, since moving to King's Lynn.

No-one should get too excited - at least, not just yet.

**bigdaikon** · 15-03-2006, 12:47 AM

Hey Wanabanana, that's fantastic news! I just hope I can convince my local LEA...they didn't seem to be aware of this last time I called them.

I was informed that I was eligible for a maintenance loan only. Ah well, now I have something to do during my lunch hour!

**medschoolsonline.co.uk** · 15-03-2006, 01:00 AM

The policy for student finance direct is governed by the higher education minister. When we spoke to the higher education minister 2 weeks ago, he told us that it would not be possible for graduates to get student loans for tuition fees.

I have just called student finance direct who do not seem to have any idea that graduate medical students are not eligible for a tuition fee loan. I suspect that many people who run the helplines do not fully understand the policy. This could be good news for some people if the people that process the applications are also not aware of the rules. However, I am 100% sure that graduates are not supposed to get a tuition fee loan. You need to budget for £3000 up front but keep your fingers crossed that your LEA does not understand the policy either.

Good luck!

**DH2005** · 15-03-2006, 01:05 AM

What a ridiculous cock-up...

Everyone should continue to operate on the premise that fee loans will not be available, and be very pleasantly surprised if this turns out not to be the case.

**Meg01** · 15-03-2006, 01:21 AM

I have to agree with DH2005. I have been in contact with both an LEA and the Scottish Award agency, and both have said we get no fees loan. However, I would not bet ANYTHING on this being right, or indeed wrong. I'm cautious because of all this inconsistent information. Wanabanana -I don't mean to not believe you - I really do hope that you are correct, but I am certainly not holding my breath!!

**bigdaikon** · 15-03-2006, 01:44 AM

Hi Medschoolsonline, you just reminded me of a promise I made to myself: should I ever become a doc, I'll willingly relinquish some of my leisure time so that I may provide the Higher Education Mincer (ahem, 'minister') with a free check-up from the neck-up.

**physio** · 18-03-2006, 10:46 AM

Are GEM courses eligable for a maintenence loan? My LEA at haringey says not... I'm entitled to squat!

**sefkhet** · 18-03-2006, 11:01 AM

I've been on the phone to my LEA this morning and have been given the following information:

1) All students studying a second undergraduate degree that will lead to a professional qualification (medicine being one) are entitled to up to 100% of a maintenance loan depending on income/parental income.

2) Any students entering a second undergraduate degree directly from a first undergraduate degree who are not classed as independent students must follow the NEW guidelines for what is classed as parental income. If you were classed as having a single parent for your first undergraduate degree but that parent has remarried, entered into a civil partnership, or is cohabiting with a partner of either gender, their new partner IS counted as a parental contributor. I realise that this only applies to a minority, but it's one of those things I've had to check, as my stepdad did not count as a parental contributor back when I entered this degree in 2003 but will if I start another one in 2006.

3) The loan for fees thing... Newcastle LEA had a meeting yesterday morning in which it was announced that all students would be entitled to a loan for fees irrelevant of whether they had or had not already done a degree. They had another meeting this morning in which it was announced that only students who have not already done a degree will be entitled to a loan for fees. The advice of the guy I spoke to budget for the £3000 but to tick the box that says you would like a loan for fees anyway. If you're not entitled to it, you won't get it, but you might as well check the box that says you want it just in case.

**medschoolsonline.co.uk** · 19-03-2006, 06:09 AM

"Are GEM courses eligable for a maintenence loan? My LEA at haringey says not... I'm entitled to squat!"

That's funny, because my LEA is Harringey, and they've been paying me a maintenance loan for 2 years (on a GEP). I don't think you need any GCSEs to work for an LEA. Basically, you can't trust the information you get from your LEA. Research yourself what you are entitled to and ignore their advice. They just haven't got a clue!