Tuition fee loan..luck or misfortune?

[pjm123]

I've just applied for my student loans etc and I applied for the tuition fee loan knowing I wouldn't be eligible..as I've already done a degree. I thought my maintenance loan would be granted but the tuition fee loan wouldnt. However, to my surprise, both were granted.

What should I do? I'd love the loan, but I worry I'm getting myself into a legal situation that I couldn't feasibly argue my way out of.

Is it fraud?? Can I play dumb..it's their error surely...no?

[Genevieve]

As long as you declared your previous degree (if there was that option) then it's really their mistake, they may realise, they may not. Personally I would probably take it, knowing that I run the risk of having to pay back what I wasn't entitled too (ie, when they find out they want a monthly payment immediately). However, it's not like you won't be paying it back WITH interest in the long run.

[dances_with_lamposts]

i'm in exactly the same situation! ive been 'unofficially' advised by an lea assessor that its technically their mistake so i wouldnt get in trouble if i kept my mouth shut! if they realise their mistake they can take the money back (ill play dumb). i've got the tuition fee money saved up just in case, but otherwise im keeping quiet and waiting to see how long it takes them to realise. did they give you a grant too?

if you search back in this forum, its happened a few times before but usually gets taken back. but im not sure if its because people have phoned up to check.

[fontmoss]

hmm I;m currently living in Madrid but need to get my backside moving and apply for funding. My UCAS form has my address here and also my aunties in Cumbria registered, do you think i should apply to the LEA in Cumbria?

[clemette]

My understanding is you no longer apply to LEAs - everyone has to apply through studentfinanaceengland.

[pjm123]

ha..no. Did you get the grant dances with lamposts? That's awesome. You don't need to pay that back as well..

[auden]

fontmoss - most people now apply via studentfinancedirect, but you will need to know your LEA for this as this is who will actually pay! The right LEA is the one you lived in when you last lived in the UK - ie not necessarily the address of any of your family. You will need to provide your last address for them.

for the OP - I was also in this situation, and did try to tell the LEA (and also told SGUL about the problem). However, the LEA did nothing and paid the money to Georges anyway - despite both of us telling them they were wrong. At one stage about two years ago they did write to me and tell me they were going to take the money back from georges - but then they didn't do that either. So, as it stands, Georges still have a grand of my LEA's money, and I still have a grand in the bank

The trick is to make sure that you have the cash readily available should the LEA make good their mistake - as you will end up owing the uni your fees (the LEA take the cash back directly from the uni and then leave you to pay the uni). This is still a possibility for me, even though I graduate in about six weeks (finals permitting!).

Whether or not you try to tell the LEA they are wrong is, of course, a personal decision - but you may not be able to convince them even if you try!

[dances_with_lamposts]

ha..no. Did you get the grant dances with lamposts? That's awesome. You don't need to pay that back as well..

yeah, studentfinancewales thinks that they want to give me £3225 tuition fee loan, £3457 maintenance loan and £2906 assembly learning grant.

But, i think that im only entitled to £4745 maintenance loan. like i said, ive already saved up the £3225 for tuition fees incase they change their minds but hopefully they wont.

one thing that does concern me is that im going to be enrolling on a graduate entry course - so when i register at the uni they might question why im having my fees paid for me.

[pjm123]

Wow, auden, that is my dream. I would love to get it for the duration of my studies. I'm on the 5 year..could they not realise for 5 years maybe? Hopefully.. So auden, did you get it for 5 years?

[pjm123]

I've just realised my mistake. You're on a GEP. I'm on the 5 year.. I doubt I'll get away with it for 5 years. I wonder what would happen though. Hmm. Here's hoping..