Do i have to pay them back?

[utternutter]

I left my university on friday the 13th june (nothing to do with the date) and in the process i withdrew from my course. I was studying student nursing and the government was paying me just over �500 a month. I recieved a payment on the 21st of june which i believed i was still entitled to then the next month ( i was paid on the 3rd friday of every month) i recieved another payment.. i was told it was not my responsibilty to tell the bursary people i had left, it was the uni's responsibility so i spent the money as im unemployed and broke at the moment. Now im nearing the next *pay day* and am worried i will get paid again. but again im broke and my 18th birthday is coming up so im tempted to spend it if i get paid again. My mum was a legal secretary and said its thier fault if they pay me, and i shouldnt have to pay it back.. but i just wanted a second opinion. Any ideas (sorry bout the essay) thanks.

[notSarah]

not sure, but I'd say you would probably have signed a declaration at the end of an application form, and I'd say it probably puts the onus on you to inform them of relevant changes in your circumstances.

[utternutter]

thing is though. i handed back my uniform, badge and id badge with a letter to confirm my course withdrawel. i personally asked if it was my responsibility to inform the bursary people they said no.. im very confused and worried about money. Its alot to pay back but when your living on the bread line its too hard to just ignore the money in our account.

[Eve]

Is it an NHS student bursary?

http://www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk/

Quoted...

What happens if my circumstances change?
You should report any change in your financial circumstances (or your family's, where a parental or spouse contribution applies) to your college and to NHS Student Bursaries as soon as it occurs.

It is also your responsibility to tell Student Bursaries if you have to leave or interrupt your course before the normal completion date.

I'd check with them direct in case they are able to claim it back.

[factor-fiction]

If you are worried you might spend the next instalment if you receive then why not post off a cheque to repay the money as soon as you get it. Or out it into a separate account.
Normally when you sign up for a bursary there is a clause saying you agree o pay back any overpayments.

[utternutter]

ok thank you.. thing is thought i would have happily agreed to inform them.. they told me i didnt have to.. now maybe the money i thought i was entitled to i will have to pay back aswell.. which means im going to be in alot of debt which isnt my fault. Ok thank you for the information people =)

[bednobs]

sorry, i beg to differ, it IS your fault you are in this situation - you spent money you knew you weren't entitled to (the July payment)
In any case you must pay it back, and depending on whether they paid in arrears or in advance, you may have to pay the june payment back. To prevent compounding your situation, DONT SPEND the next payment, but get in touch with them tomorrow to let them know your changed circumstances

[Eve]

Another point is that it's not a private company's money, from a moral point of view as well it's the NHS's and they probably need every penny.

[Skyline D]

I'm absolutely astonished incidentally that a legal secretary would suggest that "if it's their fault you don't have to pay it back" which is complete and utter rubbish.

Long and the short of it, if it was paid in error, regardless of whose fault it was, you do have to pay it back. Clearly the last one and the next one (if it comes) will be paid in error and repayable. The June one probably is too.