On the question of returning DSA's I actually think that the LEA's
have some responsibility in this as well. To release the full amount
of DSA in the current climate of student poverty, whether it be for
Specialist Equipment or Non-Medical Help, is an act of folly if there
is not evidence that either this amount will be spent or has been
spent. It is really unfair to give a student additional funds and
expect them to manage the money, returning any residue, when they do
not have enough money to live on.
Wherever possible and acceptable to the student we will invoice the
LEA directly for support received each term, we invoice
retrospectively and just hope they will pay up, in all but one case,
they do. For equipment we offer a quote and funds are either sent
direct to the student or the supplier. We are not being control
freaks about this, just trying to ensure everyone gets what they need
and there is no margin for defraud.
At the time of writing there is still one midlands LEA who pay out the
full amount direct to the student and 'ask no questions' they also are
reluctant to communicate directly with the University and 'sort things
out' with the students themselves, to my knowledge, considerable
amounts of DSA have been wasted by this action, students, far from
rubbing their hands with delight are very concerned about the residue
and ask me for guidance, what can I say ?
A bigger problem which we have experienced only once was where a
'student' (an ex-police officer I might add) obtained an assessment
from us, got his equipment prior to the start of the course, then
never turned up to enrol, when I told the LEA they were forced to
'write it off' as there are no guidelines for such instances.
Sorry this has turned into a bit of a ramble, but I do feel that
students are concerned about overpayments, based on our experiences
here.
Chris
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