Mature dependent applying for grant with history of previous dropout over 5 years ago

Oral Surgeon

Hi guys, I'd be very grateful for some advice please;

My friend started a science degree in 2008/09 and dropped out within the first year. She has now been accepted to a teaching degree as a mature student (24 years old) to start in 2014/15 year. She has been refused susi assistance based on the fact that she did year one of a science degree and gave it up… Someone in a college open day mentioned a "five year rule" that her previous record would be effectively wiped. It has been 5+ years…. So she is confused….

Does anyone have any advice on this or any experience of this situation?

Many thanks,

OS

BonkeyDonker

Get your friend to appeal the decision based upon the fact that it was more than five years ago. State the facts clearly, along with any supporting documentation.

Oral Surgeon

BonkeyDonker wrote: »

Get your friend to appeal the decision based upon the fact that it was more than five years ago. State the facts clearly, along with any supporting documentation.

Thanks for the reply. So is this 5 year rule a reality?? Do you have a link please?

Regards,
OS

Greenmachine

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

Hi guys, I'd be very grateful for some advice please;

My friend started a science degree in 2008/09 and dropped out within the first year. She has now been accepted to a teaching degree as a mature student (24 years old) to start in 2014/15 year. She has been refused susi assistance based on the fact that she did year one of a science degree and gave it up… Someone in a college open day mentioned a "five year rule" that her previous record would be effectively wiped. It has been 5+ years…. So she is confused….

Does anyone have any advice on this or any experience of this situation?

Many thanks,

OS

From memory: The five year rule applies to the free fees portion of susi assistance. Has your friend being living independently the last few years. If so she may be entitled to BTEA instead of the grant. Unfortunatley there has been no double payments for the last few years.

Oral Surgeon

Greenmachine wrote: »

From memory: The five year rule applies to the free fees portion of susi assistance. Has your friend being living independently the last few years. If so she may be entitled to BTEA instead of the grant. Unfortunatley there has been no double payments for the last few years.

Thanks GM,
She has been working so I don't think the BTEA applies to her. Do you have a link to this 5 year rule as I am finding it difficult to see it on the suss website….

Many thanks,
OS

maki

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

Thanks GM,
She has been working so I don't think the BTEA applies to her. Do you have a link to this 5 year rule as I am finding it difficult to see it on the suss website….

Many thanks,
OS

The Student Grant Scheme SI for this year is here.

Page 12:

A mature student pursuing an approved course following a break in studies
of at least five years, in circumstances where the mature student previously
attended, but did not successfully complete, a course and is returning in order
to pursue an approved course in the relevant academic year, shall be known as
a “second chance student”.

Page 16:

Notwithstanding paragraphs (6), (7) and (8), a second chance student or
second chance tuition student, in accordance with article 13(6), returning in
order to pursue an approved course, may be considered eligible for a grant to
pursue an approved course, including where this provides for a repeat period of
study, subject to the rules of progression, as provided for in this Scheme and
section 2 of the Act.

Annasopra

maki wrote: »

The Student Grant Scheme SI for this year is here.

Page 12:
Page 16:

Just reading the bit from page 12. Its very technically worded. I think it could possibly be read in a way that would exclude. So for example on your "first chance" you had to be a mature student.

maki

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Just reading the bit from page 12. Its very technically worded. I think it could possibly be read in a way that would exclude. So for example on your "first chance" you had to be a mature student.

Perhaps, although I'd doubt the usefulness of the entire concept at that stage. Mature students generally tend to have a significantly lower drop-out rate than non-matures, so the amount of mature students that would drop out of a course, wait 5 years, then start a new one would be pretty insignificant.

I suspect that it does apply to anyone, and is there as insurance for the plethora of people fresh out of school who make an incorrect course choice and drop out as a result.

I could be wrong on that, and I'd be interested to find out the real story. I have yet to hear of anyone actually using the 5 year rule though.

BonkeyDonker

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Just reading the bit from page 12. Its very technically worded. I think it could possibly be read in a way that would exclude. So for example on your "first chance" you had to be a mature student.

Nope - your first chance is when you first attended college, irrespective of age. My first chance was when I was 18.

maki wrote: »

I could be wrong on that, and I'd be interested to find out the real story. I have yet to hear of anyone actually using the 5 year rule though.

I used it this time last year to go back and do a course in the field I want to work in. I had previously started, but not finished a college course when I was 18, this was more than five years ago(well 1998). SUSI, being SUSI initially rejected my application as I had already started a course, and despite me having carefully time-lined everything (I had worked for eleven years after finishing the initial course).

I appealed it, and carefully laid out my reasons for the appeal - including quoting the tow chapters above, and getting other supporting evidence from various sources such as my previous college to state the years I was there and that I had not gained a qualification (not that this would have mattered as the original course was a level 6 and my current a level 8). I also got a letter from my previous employer stating I had worked for them for eleven years, thus busting the five year limit.

I also got a lot of help from the SUSI helpline, who basically talked me through my appeal application and pointed out where they thought I had omitted information.

Thankfully I won my appeal and I'am now looking forward to going back to start my third year in September.

Oral Surgeon

Thanks for all the replies guys, very helpful
OS

Triri

Hi all,


I'm returning to college this year as a mature student after not completing a level 8 in 07-09, so I suppose the 5 year rule applies to me here.

I have been requested to send my support documentation to SUSI so I'm assuming I've passed the initial assessment.

Does anyone know if it's far more likely than not that you'll receive the grant if you get to this stage and aren't denied on first assessment?

Thanks