[Jimmy Mullen]

Hi all

I have completed my Undergraduate Degree (and used student finance throughout that), and now I am starting a PGCE in Sept 2012. 3 questions:

1) Do I need to create a whole new account (new login details etc) or can I use the details I have from using it for Undergraduate Finance?

2) Am I classed as a new student or returning student? As it is a new course and no longer my degree, I assume I am a new student?

3) Will I end up having to send through ID like a Birth Certificate again?

Being on the new Tuition Fee system and the old one as well will become very confusing but I will probably miss out on a Maintenance Grant etc. If I dont use them!

[MrB810]

1) no you don't need to set up a new account

2) yes you are a new student as it is a new course

3) When I did mine in Feb I didn't have to send off any ID. I just had to put my passport number into the form but if you don't have a passport, it may want you to send something off.

Hope this helps

[pineapple86]

I tried to apply online via my already created account but apparently the student finance put my course down as 4 years instead of 3 and i had already graduated and was working for a year whilst applying. I had to reapply by paper and include a letter. But thats only cos they messed up and luckily it got sorted out. Try doing it online, it might work for you if they havent messed it up lol, they told me to include my original student finance number and i dont need to apply as a new student.

[Jimmy Mullen]

(Original post by MrB810)
2) yes you are a new student as it is a new course

Hope this helps

Looking at forums from previous years, some people were putting down "returning student" as they have used SF before, and apparently can put in the details of the new course etc.

It would be nice if this saves having to do number 3) , as I remember finding someone to sign the birth certificate declaration form was annoying.

[MrB810]

(Original post by Jimmy Mullen)
Looking at forums from previous years, some people were putting down "returning student" as they have used SF before, and apparently can put in the details of the new course etc.

It would be nice if this saves having to do number 3) , as I remember finding someone to sign the birth certificate declaration form was annoying.

When I did mine for my PGCE course I put myself down as a new student and it went through without a problem, I only had to sign and send off the declaration that you get with the notification letter every year. If you say you are a returning student you probably wont need to do the birth certificate declaration which if you haven't got a passport then it would be easier to say you are a returning student.

[myblueheaven339]

I was told that PGCE students are classed as new students because the course is new, even if they stay at the same uni. However they were able to use all of my previous details to assess my eligibility and it was all done really quickly.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[pineapple86]

(Original post by myblueheaven339)
I was told that PGCE students are classed as new students because the course is new, even if they stay at the same uni. However they were able to use all of my previous details to assess my eligibility and it was all done really quickly.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Lol oh well they managed to sort all my finance out for this sept with my old student finance number and not as a new student

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9300

[masamune1989]

I used my old student finance details even after having a year out. It went through with no problems and I just sent off my parents p60s and a declaration.

I was told we are returning students but you just apply for a new course?


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Jimmy Mullen]

(Original post by pineapple86)
Lol oh well they managed to sort all my finance out for this sept with my old student finance number and not as a new student

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9300

Did you have to send a birth certificate/ID or did the system remember you (as you put returning student) so it was not needed as you sent it when you applied for undergrad?

[Jimmy Mullen]

(Original post by masamune1989)
I used my old student finance details even after having a year out. It went through with no problems and I just sent off my parents p60s and a declaration.

I was told we are returning students but you just apply for a new course?


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

So they did not require you to send ID e.g. birth cert. as you had done that before for undergrad?

[pineapple86]

(Original post by Jimmy Mullen)
Did you have to send a birth certificate/ID or did the system remember you (as you put returning student) so it was not needed as you sent it when you applied for undergrad?

I didnt have to send any infornation, just filled in the paper form they told me to fill and i sent it off with my finance id i used as undergrad and then got a letter through the post telling me what im going to get. It was that easy, no id to send cos its all on their system since ive done it for 3 years for my undergrad.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9300

[myblueheaven339]

(Original post by pineapple86)
Lol oh well they managed to sort all my finance out for this sept with my old student finance number and not as a new student

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9300

You will always use the same student finance number, like a national insurance number it stays with you for life. I got the impression that it doesn't matter too much if you call yourself new or returning, as the system works itself put once you put in the course details. I was however advised to put new.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Jimmy Mullen]

(Original post by myblueheaven339)
You will always use the same student finance number, like a national insurance number it stays with you for life. I got the impression that it doesn't matter too much if you call yourself new or returning, as the system works itself put once you put in the course details. I was however advised to put new.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

If putting yourself as "returning" means you do not have to send in ID again like you do before undergrad, which is what it looks like, then it sounds like the best option with the least hassle as you dont have to send important docs like birth cert through the post.

If you put down "new" then did you have to send any ID like birth cert, passport?

[myblueheaven339]

I put new, and I didn't have to send anything again. They used all the personal and financial details from the previous application.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App