[Beatlemania]

* (Sorry if this should be in finances sub forum, but it is MMU related)

I went to the applicants visit day where a woman explained the £4000 support package to me.. "Visit the website" she said.

So, with the leaflet she gave me, I visited the website. I want to apply for the support package (I am elegible) but I don't know how. It says apply and then directs me to directgov/student finance. But I've already applied for student finance, so I'm just in a complete loop.

How do you apply for it? Do you actually apply? I can recall her saying something about if you've already applied for student finance then we've got your details. Also, a friend who currently attends Sheffield Hallam said he didn't apply for his, they just gave it him in accordance to his student finance and grades.

I have contacted the University three times within the last month, but they don't listen! They either tell me to go online (done that loads of times) or contact the admissions department (done that twice but they haven't replied).

Any suggestions/advice, please?

[A level Az]

Sounds like they don't want you to have this support package to be honest.

[Beatlemania]

I know, that's what I thought :/

[Foxydelic54]

(Original post by Beatlemania)
x

Hi, from what I can gather, you apply as normal for Student Finance who then pass your details onto MMU who then decide if you're eligible for the Support Package i.e. you don't apply directly for the Package itself. This is what happened with my bursary last year - I'd not applied for one but received a letter about August time informing me I was entitled to it and the timetable of payment.

[Beatlemania]

(Original post by Foxydelic54)
Hi, from what I can gather, you apply as normal for Student Finance who then pass your details onto MMU who then decide if you're eligible for the Support Package i.e. you don't apply directly for the Package itself. This is what happened with my bursary last year - I'd not applied for one but received a letter about August time informing me I was entitled to it and the timetable of payment.

Ahh, that's something I wanted to hear!

Like I said, I recall her saying something about getting details from Student Finance, but I couldn't remember.

Sounds decent, thanks!

[Foxydelic54]

(Original post by Beatlemania)
Ahh, that's something I wanted to hear!

Like I said, I recall her saying something about getting details from Student Finance, but I couldn't remember.

Sounds decent, thanks!

You're welcome Sounds like a pretty decent package!

[SpicyStrawberry]

I think what they do is they use the information you gave to student finance to process it at their end and give you the support package alongside your maintenance loan (similarly, universities that give their own grants ask you via student finance if you would like them to pass on your information to your university).

[Beatlemania]

(Original post by SpicyStrawberry)
I think what they do is they use the information you gave to student finance to process it at their end and give you the support package alongside your maintenance loan (similarly, universities that give their own grants ask you via student finance if you would like them to pass on your information to your university).

Yeah I think I can recall something about passing on information.

Good help, thanks

[office-monkey]

Yeah they do, I spoke to student finance several times and they pass on the info to MMU and it's them that make the decision to hand over the monies,

[Beatlemania]

(Original post by office-monkey)
Yeah they do, I spoke to student finance several times and they pass on the info to MMU and it's them that make the decision to hand over the monies,

Ok, thanks... Sounds decent if you get it anyway!

[office-monkey]

Yeah I'm eligible thankfully!

[Beatlemania]

I am as well, so hopefully we will hear something.

[Nadia.La]

I had the same thing, so I wrote to MMU and asked them, they asked me if I ticked a box 'I want to share my info with the university' when filling in st. finances form, I wasn't sure, so I called student finances and they told me that I have done.
So you should be ok too.

[Beatlemania]

(Original post by Nadia.La)
I had the same thing, so I wrote to MMU and asked them, they asked me if I ticked a box 'I want to share my info with the university' when filling in st. finances form, I wasn't sure, so I called student finances and they told me that I have done.
So you should be ok too.

Great, thanks. Yes I think I do recall selecting that box, but it won't hurt to try and find out.

[jturner12]

Yea.. Spoke to MMU and they set the storey straight (after being passed back and forward between MMU and Student finance) So this is exactly what you need to make sure

On your Student finance letter as long as you have ticked "SHARE WITH THIRD PARTIES" The university will automatically give you the support package..

It's the same for the Geeks amongst us that got AAA or over all distinctions.. Your extra £2500 will be spread between 2 years. (I'm a geek) woohoo

[Beatlemania]

(Original post by jturner12)
Yea.. Spoke to MMU and they set the storey straight (after being passed back and forward between MMU and Student finance) So this is exactly what you need to make sure

On your Student finance letter as longed as you have ticked "SHARE WITH THIRD PARTIES" The university will automatically give you the support package..

It's the same for the Geeks amongst us that got AAA or over all distinctions.. Your extra £2500 will be spread between 2 years. (I'm a geek) woohoo

Great, thanks for your reply. Sounds good. I tried to ask the question but kept getting passed to finance then back again.

I got a triple distinction at college, and I think I selected the third party option (although I'm not 100% sure) so hopefully I'll just get it

[jturner12]

(Original post by Beatlemania)
Great, thanks for your reply. Sounds good. I tried to ask the question but kept getting passed to finance then back again.

I got a triple distinction at college, and I think I selected the third party option (although I'm not 100% sure) so hopefully I'll just get it

Ring Student Finance.. it will take you 1 minute to ask if you've selected to share with 3rd Parties.. if not they could be a delay on your payments at the start of the course.. and you might have to bring in paper work I'm assuming..

[ruthywuthy]

Awww thanks so much for this! I start at MMU in September too and I was wondering about this! I also looked on their website and couldn't figure it out!

I have checked my student finance application online and I also ticked yes on the option to share the info with the uni so hopefully I'll be eligible too! But I don't think so because I live in private accommodation and not halls :-(

[Beatlemania]

(Original post by ruthywuthy)
Awww thanks so much for this! I start at MMU in September too and I was wondering about this! I also looked on their website and couldn't figure it out!

I have checked my student finance application online and I also ticked yes on the option to share the info with the uni so hopefully I'll be eligible too! But I don't think so because I live in private accommodation and not halls :-(

It's alright, I was confuzed with it all and the website kept redirecting me in circles!

I've looked at my application again and I did select 'yes' to 'share your information' so now I've got my fingers crossed!

Don't see why living in private halls will be a problem? Reading a letter I got from uni the other day, apparently we get a 'met card' and the loan maybe loaded onto that? Not totally sure though, only gave it a quick read - it was the letter for the ID/enrolment, I'm sure everyone got one.

[ruthywuthy]

(Original post by Beatlemania)
It's alright, I was confuzed with it all and the website kept redirecting me in circles!

I've looked at my application again and I did select 'yes' to 'share your information' so now I've got my fingers crossed!

Don't see why living in private halls will be a problem? Reading a letter I got from uni the other day, apparently we get a 'met card' and the loan maybe loaded onto that? Not totally sure though, only gave it a quick read - it was the letter for the ID/enrolment, I'm sure everyone got one.

I just figured I wouldn't be eligible because I'm doing an NHS funded course (Nursing) and I don't live in halls and according to the MMU website the breakdown is:
- Fee Waiver of £1,000 (NHS pays my fees)
- Accommodation discount of up to £3,000 (I rent private accommodation)
Accommodation discount is applicable only for student accommodation contracts with Halls Of Residence that are direct with the University and does not apply to other Halls as promoted on the MMU website.
- Other University services discount up to £2,000 - I guess I may be eligible for this...?

But then it says:

Our Student Support Package is available to all students who meet the following criteria:
Year 1, full-time first degree students only whose household income is up to and including £25,000
New undergraduate full-time (with the exception on NHS funded) students paying the full tuition fee of £8,000, £8,500 and £9,000 in 2012/13*
All students must apply online to Student Finance to be income assessed at direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
Have a UK student support number (including Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland students)
Completes the full academic year to be eligible for the full amount.

I guess I'll wait and see! I didn't really know about this until about a week ago so any financial help will be a nice surprise!