Can't get tuition fees because of foundation year. Should I appeal?

Lmc2024

Hello everyone, needing some advice!

I did a foundation year in applied sciences in 2019/2020. I'm sure you all remember 2020 so I won't bore you with the reasons I was exhausted at the end of it and decided to defer my studies. Then life got in the way to my returning (I'm a mature student with children) but this year I reapplied, but for a guidance and counselling degree instead of science.

I wasn't expecting any problems with student finance as I thought you could get 4 years plus a gift year but they've refused to pay my tuition fees my first year due to the foundation year, which to my understanding isn't even part of an undergraduate degree.

Anyone experienced this? Did you appeal, how did do it, and what was the outcome?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by Lmc2024

Hello everyone, needing some advice!

I did a foundation year in applied sciences in 2019/2020. I'm sure you all remember 2020 so I won't bore you with the reasons I was exhausted at the end of it and decided to defer my studies. Then life got in the way to my returning (I'm a mature student with children) but this year I reapplied, but for a guidance and counselling degree instead of science.

I wasn't expecting any problems with student finance as I thought you could get 4 years plus a gift year but they've refused to pay my tuition fees my first year due to the foundation year, which to my understanding isn't even part of an undergraduate degree.

Anyone experienced this? Did you appeal, how did do it, and what was the outcome?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

You're belief that student finance will cover "4 years plus a gift year" isn't quite correct. They look at the normal length of the course you're doing (including any foundation year), add one year (to cover a repeat year, for example) and then subtract the number of years you've already done elsewhere.

So, when you studied previously, for how many years did you study? Was it just the foundation year (Year 0), or did you start Year 1 at all, and then drop out?

What is the length of the degree you're now starting? Is it's normal duration (including any foundation year) four years?

Reply 2

Lmc2024

OP

2

Hi, thanks for replying.

Yes it was just the foundation year 0. I didn't enroll on year 1 so no I didn't start and drop out, but I had applied for student finance in advance to do the degree. However, by the time Sept came around my home responsibilities had changed. The degree I have started now is 4 years inc placement year, without a foundation year.

Since posting I've discovered that in my SF account it says they made a payment to me in Dec 2020, which would be in year 2 if I had enrolled. But on checking my bank statements I didn't receive the payment and have no idea why they would send one anyway!

Reply 3

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

21

If you don't mind I'm going to link to your other thread on the Ask SFE section, as I can see they are giving some guidance there as well:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7539817

Can't get tuition fees because of foundation year. Should I appeal?

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