Student Cunty Loans question

[_angel_]

Well, that's what they told me.

it's all academic now: I didn't repay then, and although I am now, I can afford it so I'm not bothered.

Think your mistake was to ring and tell them beforehand. If taken over a twelve month period your earnings weren't sufficient then you'd be deferred. If you told them what you were earning upfront, probably their 'system' would presume it was permanent and try and charge you accordingly.

Nothing to do with the government tax/ benefits has any comprehension on temporary work or fluctuating hours and income, I've found.

 

[Roadkill]

That might be the new system, angel. I went to uni in 1997 (and got a grant! ) and I'm on the old system which, I believe, works off your income at the time they send the deferment forms out, with annual earnings not taken into account. So I've been given to understand, anyway.

 

[JTG]

To be honest, it looks like it could work either way, although I do think taking benefits money is dreadful.

why?

 

[LilMissHissyFit]

sorry to derail, but have you seen how much interest they charge? I got a statement today, and each month they added nearly £20 per month interest onto what I owe.

Considering that repayment isnt due to start until april next year, they've added over a year's worth of £20-per-months onto what I originally owed.

Wankers!

Thats what they dont tell you when they are urging you to take a student loan and convince you that you can go to university etc
I wish id never bothered

 

[Herbsman.]

why?

maybe he's a benefit snob like gf

 

[Herbsman.]

Thats what they dont tell you when they are urging you to take a student loan and convince you that you can go to university etc
I wish id never bothered

Me too, especially because I dropped out therefore will not gain anything from it!

 

[scifisam]

I think it would get them off your back, even if its just in the short term

Honestly, I don't think it would. Not for a private arrangement for repaying arrears. They'll pursue that as long as they can and will probably be quite nasty about it.

However, Wookey, if you can't afford to pay it, then just don't pay it for a while. It would take them months to get anywhere near a court, which will give you some breathing space, at least.

Course you would have been offered insurance if you'd taken out a bank loan - but, if you'd decided not to take it up, then you'd stll be liable for the repayments once you became unemployed. That's why your agreed repayments are still payable now that you're unemployed. They shouldn't be, but you are.

I'm the same as you, by the way - I've never earned over the threshhold - not even close - but have ended up paying almost all my student loan back!

@JTG - that would probably be because unemployment benefit is supposed to be the minimum you can live on. Take money off that, and you are openly leaving people with less than the minimum money to live on.

 

[JTG]

@JTG - that would probably be because unemployment benefit is supposed to be the minimum you can live on. Take money off that, and you are openly leaving people with less than the minimum money to live on.

ah, hang on, we're reading Wookey's statement differently. I'm reading it as Wookey saying it would dreadful for him to take benefit money. You're seeing it as it would be dreadful for the SLC to take money from someone on benefits.

 

[scifisam]

ah, hang on, we're reading Wookey's statement differently. I'm reading it as Wookey saying it would dreadful for him to take benefit money. You're seeing it as it would be dreadful for the SLC to take money from someone on benefits.

Ah, I see! Well, that explains Herbsman's comment too.

 

[LilMissHissyFit]

Honestly, I don't think it would. Not for a private arrangement for repaying arrears. They'll pursue that as long as they can and will probably be quite nasty about it.
.

Not if you are claiming benefits
They cant take from you if you are claiming benefits when they are taking disproportionately more than you have.
If they want to pursue you to court and youve made an offer to pay, reasonable to the amount you are recieving then they wont get an order for more.
They can pursue it all they want, private arrangement or not. If you dont have it and you did when you made the original agreement but have made another offer commensurate with what your circumstances now are then you wont get a judgement against you if you pay up every month what youve offered- thats whether they accept it or not BTW

 

[scifisam]

Not if you are claiming benefits
They cant take from you if you are claiming benefits when they are taking disproportionately more than you have.
If they want to pursue you to court and youve made an offer to pay, reasonable to the amount you are recieving then they wont get an order for more.
They can pursue it all they want, private arrangement or not. If you dont have it and you did when you made the original agreement but have made another offer commensurate with what your circumstances now are then you wont get a judgement against you if you pay up every month what youve offered- thats whether they accept it or not BTW

Yep - but you can't not pay at all, and they will try to pursue you for the higher amount of money even if you have offered them a lower amount due to your change in circumstances.

Of course, if it went to court they'd only be allowed to take £3pw or something - there's a legal limit to how much they can take and I think that's the amount - so an actual court case wouldn't do them any good at all.

 

[xenon]

I don't understand this, when peple are saying they've been paying theirs back. Despite earning under the threshold.

IIRC according to my agreement, I'd need to earn 18K PA before I start paying. Never have, so have deferred every year. Including when I've been on the dole. I also instructed my bank to break the direct debit mandate, due to not trusting the SLC's rapidity of response upon recieving my deferment application. In short, they've not had penny 1 from me. And won't til I earn the requisit amount.

The threshold was lowered for peple who took agreements out in subsequent years. They realised many graduates just weren't getting that kind of pay.

Good luck Wookie.

 

[scifisam]

I don't understand this, when peple are saying they've been paying theirs back. Despite earning under the threshold.

In my case, it's because they repeatedly lost my deferral forms. They even denied signing for one that I'd sent registered delivery. So, in my PGCE year, they refused to pay me my student loan and dependant's grant unless I paid them c.£2,500. I worked out that I'd end up about £300 better off by paying them, and would have some debt off my back, so borrowed the money very short-term and paid the bastards.

I've ranted about it many times - that company and their debt collectors are utter, utter shites. They lied, harrassed me, threatened me, and cost me tons of time (several hours p.w. over several months) and money in phone calls.

They've lost my deferral forms again. This time I'm refusing to discuss anything with them and am prepared to go to court.

I dare say some other people have similar stories.

Please note: again, this is old-style, not new-style loans. My new-style loan (from the PGCE) has been administered impeccably. So far.

 

[Wookey]

ah, hang on, we're reading Wookey's statement differently. I'm reading it as Wookey saying it would dreadful for him to take benefit money. You're seeing it as it would be dreadful for the SLC to take money from someone on benefits.

My fault, I wasn't very clear. I meant that I think it's wrong for benefits to be accessible to money-lenders, they should be inviolate as a (very) minimum living wage, imo.

 

[Wookey]

In my case, it's because they repeatedly lost my deferral forms.

Exactly the same as me - I sent two off, which they denied getting, and since the deferral date had since passed they started charging me, first 300, then 600 quid. I sent a recorded delivery version, which they also completely denied getting. Now I owed 900 quid. I admit that out of frustration (and inexperience) at this point I stopped speaking to them and telling them where I lived - after so many lies, mistakes and downright dishonesties on the phone I had lost all faith in them treating me properly. Then the interest started to be added, and I realised this was not the deal I had signed up for.

In retrowhatsit, I should have fought them, but not having a phone or a permanent address makes that nigh on impossible at some times in your life.

 

[JTG]

mine's been fine so far (1996-99 loans). one year they took a month's payment but that was because I was late returning the deferment forms.

 

[_angel_]

My fault, I wasn't very clear. I meant that I think it's wrong for benefits to be accessible to money-lenders, they should be inviolate as a (very) minimum living wage, imo.

Exactly. Hence my disbelief at the guy in the govts own appointed debt 'help' agency suggesting I apply for my sons DLA 'so I could pay back the bank faster'.

Money for a disabled child going to the banks.

Apols for derail.

 

[xenon]

Yeah I've had to send in more than 1 form before. I think I must have got the repeat forms in before the deadline as they never started taking any money.

They are scum.

 

[xenon]

mine's been fine so far (1996-99 loans). one year they took a month's payment but that was because I was late returning the deferment forms.

That's the same era mine are from. You've got a higher earninggs threshold it seems though. Swine

 

[Hellsbells]

My loan was 96-99 aswell. I have to be earning over 25K before I'm forced to pay it back. At one point, despite earning loads under the threshold, I was paying a small amount back each month (through choice). But I stopped that, thought i might aswell keep deffering as long as possible. Don't know when i'm likely to be earning over 25K. Not for a few years at least.

 

[ddraig]

good luck wookie, they are a nightmare to deal with whether you're in the right or wrong!

my loan must be pre 96 (maybe 92/93) and i was paying it off for a while, think i got it down to about £2k owed.
then i just moved a few times and whenever they rang my parents they just said, 'he's in london, don't know where'
not heard anything for a few years now...

do they ever give up? or just keep adding interest and 'fees' to your account til they get ya?

cos although i paid most of mine off it'll have shot back up with all the added extras, inerests and hitmen they've added! and i don't want to stick my head above the parapet to be be noticed again! (even though i would love to know how much i owe the feckers)

 

[Wookey]

good luck wookie, they are a nightmare to deal with whether you're in the right or wrong!

my loan must be pre 96 (maybe 92/93) and i was paying it off for a while, think i got it down to about £2k owed.
then i just moved a few times and whenever they rang my parents they just said, 'he's in london, don't know where'
not heard anything for a few years now...

do they ever give up? or just keep adding interest and 'fees' to your account til they get ya?

cos although i paid most of mine off it'll have shot back up with all the added extras, inerests and hitmen they've added! and i don't want to stick my head above the parapet to be be noticed again! (even though i would love to know how much i owe the feckers)

ime they're like a terrier with a bone, they won't forget. And they can add charges and interest for as long as they like - unless you get in contact with CAB or CCCA help and ask that they freeze the interest and give you a realistic payment plan. For twenty quid a month you need never worry about it again, it'd be gone in a few years with no sweat. Even with all the hassle and the lies and the ineptitude this company show, I do prefer paying off the debt than wondering: 'When are they gonna find me.'

They should still burn in Hell though. Along with my money.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Wookey, as someone else also said, you should still sign on so that your NI contributions are paid... otherwise come pensions time, they'll say there's a hole in your contributions record.

And you've paid your dues over the years, why shouldn't you receive JSA if you're entitled to it?

I appreciate it can be a bit grim, and it's sometimes a difficult hole to get out of -- you can spend more time and effort being a 'professional claimant' dealing with the nightmare bureaucracy and administrative cockups than on looking for a new job! -- but the NI issue is a very valid one.

 

[Wookey]

Wookey, as someone else also said, you should still sign on so that your NI contributions are paid... otherwise come pensions time, they'll say there's a hole in your contributions record.

And you've paid your dues over the years, why shouldn't you receive JSA if you're entitled to it?

I appreciate it can be a bit grim, and it's sometimes a difficult hole to get out of -- you can spend more time and effort being a 'professional claimant' dealing with the nightmare bureaucracy and administrative cockups than on looking for a new job! -- but the NI issue is a very valid one.

You're exactly right, the NI issue is the clincher. I don't have a problem with claiming dole, in principal. It's just that given the choice to interact with the state I'd rather not, iyswim. I guess I'll have to.

 

[Teaboy]

I really really hated dealing with the Student Loans company. Worse company I've ever had the displeasure to come in contact with.

Like the op I had a problem with arrears after they 'lost' a deferrment form. It seems that as soon as you are in arrears your fair game and all your rights go out of the window. I agreed a payment plan which they dident stick to, in fact when they decided they wanted more they just took it. I dident have the energy to argue and in truth I was fortunate enough to be able to afford it. I am clear of the fucks now and will make sure my children never have to deal with these nasty people.

 

[Wookey]

I really really hated dealing with the Student Loans company. Worse company I've ever had the displeasure to come in contact with.

Like the op I had a problem with arrears after they 'lost' a deferrment form. It seems that as soon as you are in arrears your fair game and all your rights go out of the window. I agreed a payment plan which they dident stick to, in fact when they decided they wanted more they just took it. I dident have the energy to argue and in truth I was fortunate enough to be able to afford it. I am clear of the fucks now and will make sure my children never have to deal with these nasty people.

Make sure you do. No-one needs this scum in their lives.

 

[skyscraper101]

how come people on here don't have to pay back until earning over 25K???

I've been earning less for a loong time and still have had payments coming out of me back account

 

[Teaboy]

how come people on here don't have to pay back until earning over 25K???

I've been earning less for a loong time and still have had payments coming out of me back account

It's because they have different policies depending on which year you took your loans out. It may also be because they just want you to pay and will happilly mislead or at the very least not tell you about deferment. My opinion (for what it's worth) is that if you can afford to pay then do it. Get rid of it as quick as possible and then set about with the hate mail, it makes me chuckle on cold evenings.