University financial aid needed

[Eurox]

I'm currently at university, I did have the full student loan package and grants. The whole situation started when I got a letter at the end of the academic year saying I missed a �1500 payment on accommodation. I rang the university and they admitted it was theyre fault, they where trying to take it out of wrong bank account but they say they still need the money by the end of August otherwise I can't re-register for next year. Also my car's head gaskett has gone and I really do need a new car to get me to and from home as my mum is currently in and out of hospital. Is there anything I can do to get me enough money e,g. Loans, cards etc. and yes I am currently in full time employment but its just not enough to get that sort of money by August and family and friends ive asked cannot help. Can anyone else?

[Gok Wan]

Didn't you notice that you were �1500 better off than you should have been?

[factor-fiction]

Did you really blow all the �1500? And have you no savings from your full time work?

You might raise the �1500 if you sell the car- you won't need it at university. In the short term you'll have to use public transport/taxis to visit your mum in hospital but it's probably cheaper than running a car.

Alternatively take a year out of your course, carry on working, pay off your debt, and then return to uni.

Loans are dangerous- if you overspent by �1500 last year despite having a job I can't see how you'll be able to pay a loan back. from your student grant.

You also need to budget- tehre are some good sites such as Martin Lewis. The first tip is to stop spending unless it's a necessity.

Good luck.

[Eurox]

thanks for your answers, i dont know what happened with the university taking the money out because for the first 2 terms it did go out, so i assumed it went out the last term, but apparently it never. Obviously I am now spending absolute minimal from my wages but that still wont make up the money by when its needed, the car got valued at �150 as scrap metal which is the best I could afford. I only got told I needed the 1500 a week ago so its not like ive had lots of time and just not done anything about it, normally I am pretty good at this stuff but in the time allocated to me I'm a bit stuck

[factor-fiction]

It's a mess.
Can you do a deal to pay back say �100 a week between now and the end of the year,
I'm still puzzled though how you managed to accidentally spend an extra �1500 in the term between Easter and summer without realising.

[Eurox]

Well I did ask them if i could pay it out of my loan that comes in september but they said no, they need it by the end of august. I assumed they took it out and I was wondering why I had more than normal but I thought it was from work as I wasnt keeping upto date with what was coming and going.

[Eve]

There should be people around in the student's union even over the break.

Go in and speak to one of the welfare offices to see if you can apply for some kind of temporary hardship grant which you can pay back gradually and maybe offer to help out round the union more as help is always needed for charity events, campaigns, volunteering and such.

[bednobs]

lol jenna, how will volunteering help? :)

[terambulan]

In my youth I would have loved the chance to go to Uni but my parents couldn't afford to fund me.......there were no bank loans etc available then.........so I had to work and pay my way.

Get yourself a job and do an Open Uni Course (they're available on line) after your work hours. And you can do them at any stage of your iife.

[Eurox]

Thanks Jenna, defo will go into the finance office or wherever they are and have a word. tar

[Whickerman]

I know it's odd, but believe it or not your local bank, building society or credit union may be able, and willing, to help you out. Find a branch with student accounts, and talk to the advisor there. They can and do go that extra mile for students - allowing it's a course with real potential for earning power at the end, and not, say Art and Crypto-zooology - as they know that building up a relationship with a broke student can pay dividends when the broke student is earning a lot afterwards. Also, the fact that you're in full time employment shows your feet are on the ground, and that you're probably a safe bet.

Good luck either way.

[Eve]

i just though volunteering and helping out might be a nice way of showing gratitude if the union can help him money wise.

I used to do a lot of union work and so many things to do all help is gratefully appreciated.

[NiceCupOfTea]

I would have thought that even during this credit crunch period the banks would be flinging money at students - they did in my day lol.

Otherwise, get down to your library and write to every relevant listing in the Bursary Book (or whatever it's real title is). It lists every bursary available from every group, charity, company, or individual that donates money to money grabbing desperadoes doing a course. If your course or situation is relevant and applicable to a bursary, then apply. Apply to all of them. At least some will help. Your student union, even, may help with stamps if you can�t e-mail applications, so ask them too.