Can't pay tuition fees for this year..

I know at my Uni it states that you are unable to use it against tuition fees regardless of the situation. Which is why I pointed OP to the SU because they will know loopholes regarding a CPR year or charities that may be able to help cover the costs.

Ah I see. It's probably uni specific. SU sounds like a good idea to me too. After all, it's what they're there for.

I'm in a bit of an awkward place so please let me know if you've got some advice.

I started university X in 2010 to do Medicine and got my loan for that year. I failed the year (mitigating circumstances) and was told I could attend second year while my appeal was being dealt with. Just before Christmas I was told my appeal was unsuccessful and had to leave.

Started at university Y in 2012 (for a 3 year degree) and the Student's Loan Company are saying that because I've has 2 years worth of fees already, I am not allowed this year's tuition fee loan (everyone is allowed 4 years so I would get the loan for the final two years.)

University X only got paid the tuition fees for year 1 and nothing for year 2, so I've only been granted 1 year of tuition fees so far.

Now it seems I have to find 9k by myself as my parents can't afford it.

This seems really unfair as the only reason they say I've had 2 years of fee loans is because it's "on record" that I attended uni X for 2 years.

What do I do?


EDIT: Thank you for all the helpful replies, I'm really grateful

Just some additional information: I failed first year due to personal problems at the time and appealed using these reasons. They recognised this however the ultimate reason for them asking me to leave is because I didn't submit a mitigating circumstances form (which I didn't submit because I didn't understand I had to and general naivety)

Also I am doing really well in my degree at the moment (Biological Sciences) and am getting an average of 85%ish at the moment! So I really really don't want to have to leave

Is there a restriction on how many years the Student Loans Company pay out for? As I'm considering an inclusive masters but have taken a year out due to health so would be a 5 year degree say. Anyone have any guidance on this?

this is the formula used.

duration of any first degree + 1 gift year

so yes you should be fine.

provided that you initially started a 4year MA program

Do you have compelling personal reasons (CPR) for failing your first year? That would include things like illness, death of a close relative, etc.

if you can provide evidence of the mitigating circumstances you had in your first year you should be able to get an extra years funding

Appeal to Student Finance using their mitigating circumstances form. However usually they do ask for documentary evidence of some kind which must be from the time in question ie. doctor's records etc. They can wipe off one year of attendance ( and yes they do use attendance rather than funding as their criteria... ie. if you did a whole degree and paid for yourself all the way through they would still consider you had used up your entitlement to funding from them).

Good luck.

Hi. I can see you're in a bit of a messy situation.

One thing I thought of is the access to learning fund which you might be able to access if your uni has such a fund and if you are eligible. It's supposed to be for circumstances like this I think (where you are in financial hardship and have nowhere to turn). Seems like something you should look into. More info here (and presumably on your uni website): https://www.gov.uk/access-to-learning-fund/overview

Thank you for your replies

In first year I had a lot of emotional/mental strain due to my relationship at the time and my parents being unsupportive. This led to me unable to get out of bed in the morning, not being able to sleep etc and consequently I missed a lot of contact time at uni. I ended up seeing a counsellor who wrote a letter in support of my appeal, stating that I was moderately depressed, but I haven't got a copy of this letter. I've tried to contact him but he stopped working at the uni around that time!

This letter would be relevant evidence to send to SF right? I believe uni X has a copy of it so I guess I could contact them to obtain a copy?




I've asked about this fund and the welfare officer said that it is just for living costs unfortunately