[kkleon]

Has anybody applied for loans yet??

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my Nexus S 4G

[kkleon]

For those who have applied for loans... does Sheffield notify you if they, for whatever reason, will not accept your application for them? Or do you have to wait for an official letter in the mail in July? I'm just a bit nervous about that because it's the only thing that would keep me from going and I haven't heard from them since I applied.

I have already applied for my CAS number so hopefully in a few days I'll be receiving that

[kkleon]

I finally got my CAS number!!!

*I just thought I'd advertise it... in this totally Fail thread.


Also, the process was VERY fast. At least compared to what I had in mind. I applied on Thursday of last week, which was June 28th. I received an e-mail from them on Monday saying that they had reviewed my information and I had submitted the wrong transcript. I signed on that same day and uploaded a scanned copy of the original. (My timezone is 6 hrs behind Sheffield so I usually receive my e-mails at around 4 or 5 in the morning). Two days later, I received an e-mail from them telling me that I had been allocated a CAS number which now shows up on the page where I first verified my information.


I just want to write down this information for those who, like me, appreciate knowing things in as much detail is possible. So hope I it helps!

[kkleon]

More information for anybody who needs it!

I received my loan notification letter a few days ago and I saw that the loans were given in two payments. I thought this might be a problem because the payments for accommodation are given in 3. So I e-mailed the accommodation office about it and this is what they replied:

The University adjusts the payment dates for tuition and accommodation where a student is a recipient of a US Loan.

You will need to set up a payment method when you accept your accommodation and our standard payment plan is 3 instalments. However, as US loans are paid in two instalments we would usually split the payment to 50% due with disbursement 1 in October 2012 and 50% due with disbursement 2 in February 2013. The Tuition fees are treated in the same way.

We would then pay any excess to you or make arrangements for you to pay the balance if your loan does not cover the full cost.


I found this information very helpful as it is extremely hard to find anything related to the process a student with U.S. loans goes through!

[rabea]

lol, kudos for continuing this thread even though no ones touching it, XD anyways I'm an American in the process of deciding between offers from Sheffield and another uni- and I actually was wondering what the deal is with US loans for Sheffield...any tips or other information would be appreciated! : )

[kkleon]

(Original post by rabea)
lol, kudos for continuing this thread even though no ones touching it, XD anyways I'm an American in the process of deciding between offers from Sheffield and another uni- and I actually was wondering what the deal is with US loans for Sheffield...any tips or other information would be appreciated! : )

lol yea, I left it up and continued posting because I imagined that one day somebody would be looking for this information, so they'd do a google search and it would lead them here. Then they would either find the info they were looking for or ask me questions which I would be happy to answer :P

Anyways, about the loans...

The loans you get from Sheffield are the ones you can get here in the US. You can get up to 20,500 with a Stafford Unsubsidized loan (you have to pay interest while in school or defer the interest but add it to the overall balance when you graduate) or/and a Graduate PLUS loan, (this loan is credit based but they base it on any balances you have pending, if you get denied on your own you can try again with a co-signer) which can be taken in out in the amount you need to cover the rest of the costs. The other option is Sallie Mae which is the only Private Loan that is offered (I have no experience with this loan).

You have to apply for the FAFSA, as always. You then use the SAR, MPN for PLUS and Stafford loans, entrance counseling, the approved credit check and a filled out spreadsheet (that they provide) as your application for loans with them.

The spreadsheet is your personal information along with the request for the money that you think you will need for the entire course. After you send them the completed packet they review it and send you an award letter which you need for the Visa application. You don't actually need to send the letter but it is better if you have it on hand in case they apply for it.

So this is all I could remember about the process I went through! I hope it helps you and if you still have questions I'll be here to answer them

Oh and in case you didn't know, as an American you automatically get a 1,500GBP scholarship from Sheffield.

[rabea]

Thanks for the information! I'm totally new to getting loans so its a big help. : )

[kkleon]

(Original post by rabea)
Thanks for the information! I'm totally new to getting loans so its a big help. : )

I'm glad! That's what I hoped for

If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them (as best as I can :P)