I'd be grateful for help on a particular case, which is a variant of the
general case outlined in the original question, and raises the question of
a student's status re. loans.
I have just been telephoned by a prospective student who will enter the
first year of one of our courses, having previously attended (but not
completed) an HND course at another institution. His LEA award was
suspended last year and will remain suspended until the final year of his
course at UEA, when the LEA will reinstate the award. The student will
therefore have to pay his own fees for the first two years of his course
with us. That much is clear. What is not clear is what his status is with
regard to a loan. Is he an existing student for loans purposes, or a new
one? The Loans Company apparently think he will be a new student, and it
would be in his interest to be a new student, since he would qualify for a
higher loan. However, I would have thought that logically he would be
classed as an existing student for both award and loan purposes. Since
logic doesn't necessarily come into these matters, I though I'd canvass
colleagues' views.
Eleanor Martin
At 12:35 30/03/98 +0000, you wrote:
>
>I have also spoken to Steve Blackett, who confirms that students whose
>1997-98 award is *suspended* under the circumstances outlined by Sybil
>Green *will* be regarded as "old award holders".
>
>This issue is covered in DfEE circular ACL 15/97, paras 24 and 25
>
>Roger Clark
>Academic Registrar
>University of Reading
>
>On Fri, 27 Mar 1998, greens wrote:
>
>>
>> I have just received a copy of the above. I was concerned to note
>> that the definition of "existing students" on Page 3 does not include
>> transfer students ie those who were granted an award for 1997-98 and
>> subsequently left their course but made transfer arrangements before
>> their withdrawal from the original course. Their situation is not
>> covered by any of the listed exceptions. They are not already on a
>> course of higher education if they have withdrawn! I had assured
>> such students that their existing award would be transferred and they
>> would not be subject to the new funding arrangements.
>>
>> I have checked with Steve Blackett of DFEE and he confirms that my
>> interpretation is correct and that possibly a separate category
>> should have been inserted in the booklet specifying transfer
>> students.
>>
>> Incidentally, I do like the booklet and like the clarity. How does
>> one go about achieving the Crystal Mark - our University regulations
>> could do with some input!
>>
>> Sybil Green
>> Senior Adviser
>> Cardiff University
>>
>>
>
>
============================================
Eleanor Martin, Assistant Registrar, Academic Division,
UEA.
Tel. 01603 592205
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