Delay by SFE is jeopardising my PhD Place

Dear Student Finance Advisor

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to seek your urgent assistance regarding a critical issue I am facing with my Student Finance application, which is now jeopardizing my place at the PhD programme.

Three years ago, I had to withdraw from a previous PhD programme due to health reasons that severely affected my studies.

When I submitted my application for the doctoral loan last month, I included a covering letter explaining my situation, along with a letter from my GP and other medical documents that clearly outlined the medical conditions that impacted my ability to continue my studies at that time.

Following this, Student Finance contacted me via email, requesting a letter from my previous PhD supervisor to further explain the reasons for my withdrawal. I promptly provided this letter last week.

However, despite my best efforts, I have not received any response from Student Finance regarding the status of my application.

The University has made my offer conditional upon providing a financial declaration, proving I have the necessary funds. The deadline for this financial declaration is within few days and I am now at serious risk of losing my place in the programme if I do not receive a response from Student Finance in the next few days.

I have contacted Student Finance by phone, and they informed me that the processing time for my application would likely extend to around the 25th of September. Unfortunately, this is far too late, as the deadline set by the University is much sooner.

Given the urgency of the situation, I kindly request that you request office to expedite the process to save my place at the program. Without this, I fear that I will lose this significant opportunity.

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

Thank you very much for your help.

Reply 1

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

Have you conveyed SFE's timescales and response to your uni? There's usually some flexibility so long as you keep them updated.

Reply 2

KAM588

Original post by Admit-One

Have you conveyed SFE's timescales and response to your uni? There's usually some flexibility so long as you keep them updated.

I informed the Uni. They have given me only few more days. That is the final deadline.

Reply 3

David SLC

Official Rep

Hi Kam. Unfortunately. when it comes to processing timescales of evidence/applications we cannot change these or request that they are processed sooner. All of our processing timescales are subject to change and can do so daily. In this case, if you have been given an updated timescale, as mentioned above I would advise that you speak to your University directly and make them aware of this. Thanks, David

Reply 4

KAM588

Original post by David SLC

The Uni has given me the deadline which is sooner than the SFE Timescale deadline. This is the last deadline given to me by the University. No Further extension of the deadline. This is urgent.

Reply 5

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by KAM588

I informed the Uni. They have given me only few more days. That is the final deadline.

I would say that's an unusual stance from the uni, (unless you received the offer many months ago). A lot of PhD offer holders will have finding sources that move considrably slower than SFE.

Given that you applied last month I don't think SFE are being unduly tardy.

Could you perhaps notify your supervisor(s) of the expected outcome date and see if they could do anything with regards to the offer?

Reply 6

Drew SLC

Official Rep

Hi there,

Like my colleague has stated our timescales are estimates and can change daily. We are unable to process evidence quicker as we need to be seen to be fair to all students who may have submitted their evidence before you.

Thanks, Drew