The Student Room Group

Moving Online Due to Disability and Maintenance Loan

Hiya, this may be a long one. I’m currently a second year university student studying illustration in person. I have a range of illnesses and disabilities which the university were aware of before I joined and reassured me they would be accommodating and inclusive etc. my first year was a struggle but my teacher made it manageable for me to be there. However this year it took me months to fight for any reasonable adjustments with one day working at home etc as they upped the days suddenly in the second year, and I wasn’t able to manage all of them, with both the second year tutor and course leader trying to fight back and say I couldn’t and if I did I would fail the unit or be kicked out when my friend (same uni and course) was allowed the same day as I wanted off (Wednesdays) as she had work. Unfortunately now they are arguing with me on if I should be there or not and telling me to evaluate if this is right for me. The thing it I love the course and my work, it’s just having them constantly on my back for trying to get extensions or reasonable adjustments and the fact I’m struggling to travel in and having them argue about my attendance that I can’t cope with anymore. My health has gotten worse over the time now and I’m struggling to make it in, and my mental health is deteriorating with them constantly saying they may kick me out although the student support said they can’t do that, so I’m not sure. So the question is would I be able to receive a maintenance loan if I moved to an online course with Falmouth and re take my second year due to not being able to keep attending the physical uni and the fact they won’t accommodate me any more. I tried talking to someone on the phone but he had no clue and was sending us in circles, and unfortunately Falmouth don’t know either. I’m really hoping someone can help me as this is definitely making it all worse.
Thanks

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Hi 1Chloe,

You may be eligible for a maintenance loan for a distance learning course, you would need to complete a medical declaration form with your GP and send this to us for us to review.

Thanks,
Calum
Reply 2
Original post by Calum SLC
Hi 1Chloe,
You may be eligible for a maintenance loan for a distance learning course, you would need to complete a medical declaration form with your GP and send this to us for us to review.
Thanks,
Calum

Hi Calum,

Thanks, so just to clarify it is possible to get a maintenance loan even if I’m moving to online and re taking my second year ?
Hi 1Chloe,

Yes but we would need medical evidence that you cannot attend a course in person.

Thanks,
Calum
Reply 4
Original post by Calum SLC
Hi 1Chloe,
Yes but we would need medical evidence that you cannot attend a course in person.
Thanks,
Calum

Hiya thank you so much, I found that much out. I was just confused as a lot of it said first time applicants only etc so I just wanted it all clarified before I deal with the process etc. how does the switch work, as based on what Falmouth are saying I will need unenroll from my current uni and re enrol through Falmouth site doing a credit transfer. Would this count etc or is there a specific way in which I would need to do it to gain the maintenance loan if the evidence is all good ?
Hi 1Chloe,

You would just need to make a new application with us for Falmouth. Once your current university informs us that you have withdrawn you should be able to apply online. For any information about credit transfer you would need to speak with the university.

Thanks,
Calum
Reply 6
Original post by Calum SLC
Hi 1Chloe,
You would just need to make a new application with us for Falmouth. Once your current university informs us that you have withdrawn you should be able to apply online. For any information about credit transfer you would need to speak with the university.
Thanks,
Calum

Hiya, thank you - sorry so to just clarify, I need to unenroll in my current uni, enrol in the new one then do a new finance application for Falmouth and send evidence etc ? - the start date for Falmouth would be September, so I would un enrol and enrol at the end of this year - so for my April maintenance payment due is that all okay, or would I owe any back immediately for any over payments etc
Hi 1Chloe,

25/26 applications for September won't open until around March. You would need to make a new application for Falmouth and send the medical evidence. We would need to calculate if you have an overpayment once your university informs us you have withdrawn.

Thanks,
Calum
Reply 8
Original post by Calum SLC
Hi 1Chloe,
25/26 applications for September won't open until around March. You would need to make a new application for Falmouth and send the medical evidence. We would need to calculate if you have an overpayment once your university informs us you have withdrawn.
Thanks,
Calum

Hiya, okay thank you, actually the Falmouth one is open on their site, I’ve been in contact back and forth with them. Okay thank you 😊
Hi 1Chloe,

Applications for student finance will open around March. You're welcome, have a nice evening :smile:

Thanks,
Calum
Reply 10
Original post by Calum SLC
Hi 1Chloe,
Applications for student finance will open around March. You're welcome, have a nice evening :smile:
Thanks,
Calum

Hello again, sorry I was just doing some reading and started stressing out - can I ask if the specific course I aim to go into will allow me to apply for a maintenance loan and full tuition loan (with the assumption that evidence is all okay) - I’m looking at :
Illustration BA (Hons) (Online) Part-Time accelerated degree (three years) at Falmouth
The hours are 27-33 hours a week
I will unenroll at the end of this academic year (year 2)
I will be retaking my second year and completing my third year there.
I am doing this due to disability and illness
So will I be able to receive the full tuition fee for retaking my second year and taking my third year and is the maintenance loan possible (obviously based on evidence)
Thanks
Chloe
Original post by 1Chloe
Hello again, sorry I was just doing some reading and started stressing out - can I ask if the specific course I aim to go into will allow me to apply for a maintenance loan and full tuition loan (with the assumption that evidence is all okay) - I’m looking at :
Illustration BA (Hons) (Online) Part-Time accelerated degree (three years) at Falmouth
The hours are 27-33 hours a week
I will unenroll at the end of this academic year (year 2)
I will be retaking my second year and completing my third year there.
I am doing this due to disability and illness
So will I be able to receive the full tuition fee for retaking my second year and taking my third year and is the maintenance loan possible (obviously based on evidence)
Thanks
Chloe

Hi Chloe, when are you looking to begin this course? Thanks, Jason
Reply 12
Original post by SFE Jason
Hi Chloe, when are you looking to begin this course? Thanks, Jason

Hiya, I’m looking to start September 2025
Original post by 1Chloe
Hiya, I’m looking to start September 2025

Thanks Chloe,

Just to also check - have you gained a qualification yet? Also, you've mentioned the full tuition fees, but you plan on studying part time, is that correct? Thanks, Jason
Reply 14
Original post by SFE Jason
Thanks Chloe,
Just to also check - have you gained a qualification yet? Also, you've mentioned the full tuition fees, but you plan on studying part time, is that correct? Thanks, Jason
I haven’t gained any qualifications as of yet, I’ve just started my second year. It is a Part time online accelerated course. I think I I worded it wrong I just meant would I get the full tuition amount for that course for the two years I plan to be there, as well as is the maintenance loan possible (obviously based on evidence etc)
Original post by 1Chloe
I haven’t gained any qualifications as of yet, I’ve just started my second year. It is a Part time online accelerated course. I think I I worded it wrong I just meant would I get the full tuition amount for that course for the two years I plan to be there, as well as is the maintenance loan possible (obviously based on evidence etc)

Hi Chloe,

Illustration - Online - Part time, 3 years at Falmouth University is normally funded by SFE. As long as that course still attracts funding next year and you can provide the medical declaration form that confirms you are unable to attend the course in person, you should be eligible for both Maintenance Loan and Tuition Fee Loan.

Thanks, Clare
Reply 16
Original post by SFE Clare
Hi Chloe,
Illustration - Online - Part time, 3 years at Falmouth University is normally funded by SFE. As long as that course still attracts funding next year and you can provide the medical declaration form that confirms you are unable to attend the course in person, you should be eligible for both Maintenance Loan and Tuition Fee Loan.
Thanks, Clare

Hiya Claire,

Thank you so much - so will it all work funding wise to re take my second year and compete my third year there - as I read you can be funded for the three years and an extra

Thanks
Hi 1Chloe,

If you are referring to the part time illustration course, we don't consider your previous full time funding prior to that, so you would be eligible for support.

Thanks, Clare
Reply 18
Hiya, also by un enrolling at the end of this year to re enroll for September someone prior mentioned there may be money I owe back from the maintenance loan - can I pay this back in instalments etc and would it effect any new maintenance loans. Also can I clarify that your saying my current two years full time loans won’t be taken into account when switching to the new online part time accelerated course - so if I needed to start at year 1 because the credits don’t match I could get the full three years funded and it won’t matter about the two years I just had funded ?

Thanks
Hi Chloe,

That's correct, as long as you haven't obtained a qualification, you would be eligible for support for the entire duration of the new part time course. If you have a Maintenance Loan overpayment, it will be clawed back from your future Maintenance Loan payments, from each of the 3 terms, rather than taken back in a lump sum.

Thanks, Clare

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