No Maintenance loan after repeating the first year

When I started the 6 years BA English course with foudation I was 58 and I was awarded the maintenance loan at the first University year at Birkbeck University.
Last year I lost the year because I was suspended for 18 months then I won the discrimination case with OIA as the University refused to make adjustments out of my autistic condition and the University had to pay a compensation and readmit me to my study. Although it was already the end of June and I should have repeated the year therefore I decided to change University.
Now Student Finance is not awarding me the maintenance loan because they say I started this year course at the age of 60 years old.
This is awfully unfair to me as this year is just a continuation of the course I started at the previous University.
And it is not my fault if I had to withdraw because I could no longer study there after what happened.
The problem is that they did not consider it as continuation and I had to reapply again.
If they won't award me it will mean that I have been not just discriminated by the previous University but also deprived of about 30 thousands pounds of loan.
Now I hope they will consider this as an exception. I need the maintenance loan. I feel terribly anxious.

When I started the 6 years BA English course with foudation I was 58 and I was awarded the maintenance loan at the first University year at Birkbeck University.
Last year I lost the year because I was suspended for 18 months then I won the discrimination case with OIA as the University refused to make adjustments out of my autistic condition and the University had to pay a compensation and readmit me to my study. Although it was already the end of June and I should have repeated the year therefore I decided to change University.
Now Student Finance is not awarding me the maintenance loan because they say I started this year course at the age of 60 years old.
This is awfully unfair to me as this year is just a continuation of the course I started at the previous University.
And it is not my fault if I had to withdraw because I could no longer study there after what happened.
The problem is that they did not consider it as continuation and I had to reapply again.
If they won't award me it will mean that I have been not just discriminated by the previous University but also deprived of about 30 thousands pounds of loan.
Now I hope they will consider this as an exception. I need the maintenance loan. I feel terribly anxious.

Hi there. Does your previous application on your online account show as withdrawn or did you suspend from the course with the intention of returning? When was the last Academic Year you had an approved application? Thanks, David

Hi c.nadia,
You would be best making an appeal against the decision, I have provided a link to the appeal procedure to help you with this.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/appeals-procedure
Thanks, Clare

Hi c.nadia,
You would be best making an appeal against the decision, I have provided a link to the appeal procedure to help you with this.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/appeals-procedure
Thanks, Clare

Hi Clare, I called this morning to know when I will receive an answer explaining that I have sent them the cover letter and evidence and ask if I should also start a formal appeal . The advisor told me to wait for their response but he also said that it will be most likely negative and that also the appeal won't do much. Is this true? and if I am not satisfied with the appeal outcome what other options would I have ?

If the Appeals team aren't able to change your entitlement you're able to request a Stage 2 appeal.
So, your appeal will be reviewed further by a separate team who will consider your case again.
Just to say, if you're planning to make an appeal we'd suggest doing it by e-mail, since that's quicker than sending any documents by post.
Thanks, Graeme

If the Appeals team aren't able to change your entitlement you're able to request a Stage 2 appeal.
So, your appeal will be reviewed further by a separate team who will consider your case again.
Just to say, if you're planning to make an appeal we'd suggest doing it by e-mail, since that's quicker than sending any documents by post.
Thanks, Graeme

I ve done some online research and I found out that because of my age and perhaps also my disabilities I am eligible to Special Support element. I was in receipt of it in the past years because disable. This would solve the problem without the need to appeal. Actually it would be a better solution than the previous loan. The maintenance loan was entirely deducted from the Universal Credit payment and at the end all I got in the past years was the same amount given with the special element..

Hi there,
Is your course full time or part time?
Thanks,
Claire

It is part time but because of my age and disability I was eligible. In fact I was awarded also in the past years and disregarded in the universal credit maintenance deduction

Hi c.nadia,
You would be best making an appeal against the decision, I have provided a link to the appeal procedure to help you with this.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/appeals-procedure
Thanks, Clare

Thank you very much for your help

I have received today the response for the appeal outcome and it doesn't change their decision. Therefore the stage 2 appeal is to the Independent Assessors (IAs) ?

Hi there, if the email has an email address to send a second appeal - then yes, you can submit it via that email address. Thanks, Jason

Hi there, if the email has an email address to send a second appeal - then yes, you can submit it via that email address. Thanks, Jason