Applying after deadline + Cover letter

Hello,

I am an eu student but because of settled status I am classified as home student. I started uni when I was already 21 and I am currently in my last year of study.
For 2024/2025, I applied for tuition fee back in august. Then in february, I decided to try to apply for both tuition and maintenance because of having settles status (while previously only having pre-settles)

This resulted in having my previous application cancelled. When I noticed this in March, I called Student finance and they told me my application is under review so I need to wait. I called again in April as I was worried about the new term starting, and they said the same thing, and that they will try to push it forward and I should check in 10 days for any updates. I got busy with my disseration and other uni stuff, and only called back on 20th of May. They said that my new application got cancelled, and that they will flag it so that someone can look at it again.
I was very stressed at this point because the 31st May deadline was so close. They said I need to wait 10 working days again.
I called on 30th because I was so stressed and they said I still need to wait, because it was under revision.

Today I recieved an email saying as I've been classified as a dependent child of a migrant worker. Turns out the eligibility I thought I had with my settles status, doesnt count because I didnt have 3 years in the UK before the start of my course year, which I assumed I did because I am considered a home student in all other aspects.

Now this is really stressful because I might not be able to prove my dependence on my parent (haven't recieved much financial support these past years).
The woman I was on call with was very lovely and called Student Finance Eu to ask what I can do, considering the 31st May deadline passed. They said I should include a cover letter saying why I am applying aftter deadline. I am not entirely sure what to say in this cover letter, which is what I would need some help with, if possible.

I will try to explain everything clearly and let them know that I applied on 11 February for Student Finance England and they only got back to me today, which detered me from being able to apply to Student Finance Eu again before the May deadline. I will also provide the emails I had.
Will this be enough? On one hand I feel like it's my fault that I didn't realise I won't be able to fulfill the criteria asked by SFE. On the other hand, if I got a reply from them between 6-8 weeks as they say the waiting period is, I would have been able to change my course of action in time.

Thank you for reading this and for the help.

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 1

Stephen SLC

Official Rep

Hi there, On the covering letter, I would advise to give a time line of everything that has happend with regard sto the application process and the advice provided, this will allow for the assessor to understand everything that has happened and why the applicaiton has came through after the deadline. The more information you can provide will allow for a details review of the application. I would be uable to confirm if this would be enough or not (not an assessor), however, if your letter / evidence / etc clearly shows the reason for the delay, then we would hope that this can be processed. Stephen.