I have been given about five different, conflicting pieces of advice from universities and SFE with regards to student finance for 2013 / 2014 so I'm hoping somebody here may be able to provide me with a definitive answer.
I plan to study an undergraduate degree full-time at university starting September 2013.
In 11 / 12 I studied a Certificate of Higher Education (level 4 qualification) part-time. I received funding from SFE via a grant to pay for this course.
In 12 / 13 I have studied a second Certificate of Higher Education (again, level 4) part-time. This time I paid for the course myself. I have only received DSA.
The problem is some people have said both of these years get included in previous study calculations so I would only be eligible for two years support during my degree. Others have said they don't get counted at all so I would qualify for funding throughout my entire degree. SFE have told me both - so I really don't know where I stand!
Personally, I thought previous study only gets taken into account when it's an equivalent level qualification. A Certificate of Higher Education and a degree are clearly not ELQs.
Hopefully somebody can clarify the exact rules for me as I feel I'm being seriously messed about and I just don't know where I stand on such an important issue!