The Student Room Group

SFE keeps asking for evidence

Slowly becoming more and more frustrated with SFE. Initially they wanted proof that I temporarily studied abroad for a year, which I had no problem providing. At the time I didn't realise it would become such a large issue. I waited 6 weeks only for the exact same request for evidence to be sent again. I uploaded this again with an updated cover letter and now after another 6 weeks I have been sent another request for different evidence! To make it clear, initially they wanted proof of my temporary study visas, accommodation abroad, and letter from my uni abroad that I am allowed to study there. They also wanted UK bank statements that show I maintained a connection to the UK. This is all straightforward stuff that makes sense to confirm I was abroad temporarily. However after providing all of this, they now want extra evidence such as proof that my family house in the UK is owned by my family?! And proof that said properties are being upkept?! Like what on earth. I have undergone security processing and criminal background checks for jobs that accepted all the evidence I provided to SFE the first time around, as well as applied to and been accepted for bank accounts and credit using aforementioned evidence, but apparently the SFE needs more.

During all this time, the customer service has been of no help, providing me with misinformation almost every time I call. Initially they said I can ignore the second request for evidence. Then a few days later when I rang to double check that I can ignore it, they said I need to upload evidence again because the first round of evidence was rejected due to it not being in English. This is however completely incorrect, and the only part of evidence that was not in English was the >name< of the company that provided my accommodation abroad. Finally the customer support person told me that in reality they can't actually do much because they aren't connected to the people who assess the applications, and I should try and plea my case through a cover letter which is then uploaded as evidence so that the assessors can actually read it. This is ridiculous, customer service should be there to help with very issues such as this, not just read over the same information I got in an email from SFE. All at the same time I have my university asking me to pay instalments for my tuition fee, which should have been agreed and covered by SFE by now. Albeit my university have been much more understanding and nice about the situation.
Original post by jray204
Slowly becoming more and more frustrated with SFE. Initially they wanted proof that I temporarily studied abroad for a year, which I had no problem providing. At the time I didn't realise it would become such a large issue. I waited 6 weeks only for the exact same request for evidence to be sent again. I uploaded this again with an updated cover letter and now after another 6 weeks I have been sent another request for different evidence! To make it clear, initially they wanted proof of my temporary study visas, accommodation abroad, and letter from my uni abroad that I am allowed to study there. They also wanted UK bank statements that show I maintained a connection to the UK. This is all straightforward stuff that makes sense to confirm I was abroad temporarily. However after providing all of this, they now want extra evidence such as proof that my family house in the UK is owned by my family?! And proof that said properties are being upkept?! Like what on earth. I have undergone security processing and criminal background checks for jobs that accepted all the evidence I provided to SFE the first time around, as well as applied to and been accepted for bank accounts and credit using aforementioned evidence, but apparently the SFE needs more.
During all this time, the customer service has been of no help, providing me with misinformation almost every time I call. Initially they said I can ignore the second request for evidence. Then a few days later when I rang to double check that I can ignore it, they said I need to upload evidence again because the first round of evidence was rejected due to it not being in English. This is however completely incorrect, and the only part of evidence that was not in English was the >name< of the company that provided my accommodation abroad. Finally the customer support person told me that in reality they can't actually do much because they aren't connected to the people who assess the applications, and I should try and plea my case through a cover letter which is then uploaded as evidence so that the assessors can actually read it. This is ridiculous, customer service should be there to help with very issues such as this, not just read over the same information I got in an email from SFE. All at the same time I have my university asking me to pay instalments for my tuition fee, which should have been agreed and covered by SFE by now. Albeit my university have been much more understanding and nice about the situation.

Hi there,

With your bank statements, were the accounts in use?

Thanks,
Ross
Reply 2
Original post by Ross SLC
Hi there,
With your bank statements, were the accounts in use?
Thanks,
Ross

Yes
Original post by jray204
Yes

Hi there,

We're limited in what we can advise as we don't have account access over social media. I would advise contacting us so we can check the evidence you sent and why it wasn't accepted and what else is needed. We're open tonight till 8pm on 0300 100 0607.

Thanks,
Claire
Reply 4
Original post by Claire SFE
Hi there,
We're limited in what we can advise as we don't have account access over social media. I would advise contacting us so we can check the evidence you sent and why it wasn't accepted and what else is needed. We're open tonight till 8pm on 0300 100 0607.
Thanks,
Claire

Hi,

Sure that is what I will do. But I hope you understand the issue is that I get told different things every time I contact you.
Original post by jray204
Hi,
Sure that is what I will do. But I hope you understand the issue is that I get told different things every time I contact you.

Once you do speak to one of our agents they will be able to advise accordingly.

If evidence has continuously been requested it could be that some of it wasn't accepted.

Thanks,
Ross
Reply 6
Original post by Ross SLC
Once you do speak to one of our agents they will be able to advise accordingly.
If evidence has continuously been requested it could be that some of it wasn't accepted.
Thanks,
Ross

Unfortunately they do not advise me accordingly. Also to highlight, >different< evidence is requested each time. Every time I submit the suitable evidence, SFE asks me for different and more evidence. Not because they rejected my initial evidence, but because they need more proof than what they initially asked for.

To my eyes it appears that SFE simply do not want to give me the loan, making it increasingly difficult for me to submit evidence each step of the way. This may not be the case, but to me it looks like that due to the way I have been dealt with.
Original post by jray204
Unfortunately they do not advise me accordingly. Also to highlight, >different< evidence is requested each time. Every time I submit the suitable evidence, SFE asks me for different and more evidence. Not because they rejected my initial evidence, but because they need more proof than what they initially asked for.
To my eyes it appears that SFE simply do not want to give me the loan, making it increasingly difficult for me to submit evidence each step of the way. This may not be the case, but to me it looks like that due to the way I have been dealt with.

Hi there,

As we can't access accounts on this platform, I'd advise contacting us on the live chat in your account so we can check what you've sent and assist with why further evidence is still being asked for. So we can then help get this resolved for you. Thanks, Jason

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