Student loan process 2010

will keep ya posted on findings...
Anybody else wonder about the having your money 28 days in the bank before your granted the Tier 4 Visa...I think there are exceptions with student loans...still need to look into...

There is no 28 day period for student loans because that money won't make it into a bank account until you're here.  The ECOs know that the money goes through your uni first, but this is why you HAVE to have hard copies of something from the lender verifying that you have been approved for the loans.  The ECO needs proof that you will be receiving the funds.

ahhh man!! I don't like the sound of after 1 july, that is cutting it close!

Tell me about it, I have to apply for some sort of clearance to actually do the course I'm intending to do...and I need to know whatever sponsors/loans/scholarships I'll have before applying...After applying for the Clearance, I have to wait 20 days for a certificate before I can (finally) Apply for a visa.

So I will definitely be cutting it close!  I emailed a few people to get a better idea of how detailed all this financial information needs to be..

Also,

Anybody else wonder about the having your money 28 days in the bank before your granted the Tier 4 Visa...I think there are exceptions with student loans...still need to look into...

I believe the 28 days will only apply for if you are self funding your studies.  So for example, if you are doing part loans/part self funded, then the amount that's not covered by loans, will have had to be in your bank account for a month prior to the visa application.  (i'm pretty sure, anyway)

Hello everyone,

This is the newest information posted by my uni:

UPDATE: Due to the recent Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 having been passed successfully, FFELP loans will cease as of June 30th 2010.  These loans, which included Stafford and Grad Plus loans, will be replaced by Direct Lending between the US Government and our students.  Details of how Direct Lending will work exactly is yet to be determined by the Education Department in the US.

As we are meeting with representatives from the US Education Department in June, it is unlikely that we will have further details until early July.  Please return to this website in July for further information.

At this stage, we ask that you complete your FAFSA application as mentioned below.  Once you’ve done this, please bear with us while we wait for information from the USA.

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I really hate waiting but that is all to do now.

PickledSakura, where are you in NC?

PickledSakura, where are you in NC?

I live in Greensboro, and I'm working in Winston-Salem.  Are you in the area?  I see this was only your first post. Welcome to UKY! Where are you looking to go to school?

I live in Greensboro, and I'm working in Winston-Salem.  Are you in the area?  I see this was only your first post. Welcome to UKY! Where are you looking to go to school?

Oh hey, I have family in High Point

I live in Greensboro, and I'm working in Winston-Salem.  Are you in the area?  I see this was only your first post. Welcome to UKY! Where are you looking to go to school?

Yes, this is my first post.  Thank you for the welcome.  I have been lurking for a week or so.  Teatime45 actually told me about this site and I am happy to know it is here. 

You are quite close to me.  I live in Hillsborough.  I will be going to City University London. 

You are quite close to me.  I live in Hillsborough.  I will be going to City University London. 

Oh hey, I have family in High Point

Small world!   I originally came down here for college.  My parents moved to the southern OBX, so I've passed Hillsborough more times than I can count. hehe

thanks so much for all the great info, everyone. i too am an american getting ready to start studies in london in september. i've been so confused at this whole loan/visa process with all these ridiculous changes going on.

i'll be attending ucl in september, and for now, i've done everything i can for my loans and just have to wait until june when the universities will be trained on the new loan process. i can't stand this - i'm definitely a 'get things done ahead of time' kind of person. 

Welcome, sasbury85

I'm actually going to City University London, pennylane.  I wrote to the US loans person at my school (sasbury85, message me if you want his contact info) and all he said was to check their web site for more info about the loans.  He also said it probably wouldn't be ready till later in the summer, but most students applied for visas in July or August. 

I'm still holding out hope to apply for mine in July..  Argh I just know I'm going to end up applying in August, getting my visa like 3 days before my planned departure date, and paying exorbitant prices for plane fares.

yeah i hope its not august because like you said its gonna be force to buy plane tickets and train tickets last minute, sky high prices, and rush everything else. I really hope july at latest!

  I'm still holding out hope to apply for mine in July..  Argh I just know I'm going to end up applying in August, getting my visa like 3 days before my planned departure date, and paying exorbitant prices for plane fares.

Just checked the WorldBridge website to see if there was any news on Tier 4 visas/whether they'd be opening up any of the consulates this year for the "Be your own Expediter" thing like last year. But alas, just "Tier 4 students should not apply more than 3 months prior to the earliest start date. All Tier 4 student visa applications submitted to the UK Border Agency outside this period will be void and returned unprocessed. "  Sounds like none of us will be having this problem, anyway!

Also, instead of paying crazy exorbitant prices for plane fares, it seems it might be cheaper to just pay the extra ~$100, and use an expediter (if they don't do the appointments this year)...Which will mean 1) You'll get your visa sooner and 2) You can buy flights more than 3 days in advance.

Just checked the WorldBridge website to see if there was any news on Tier 4 visas/whether they'd be opening up any of the consulates this year for the "Be your own Expediter" thing like last year. But alas, just "Tier 4 students should not apply more than 3 months prior to the earliest start date. All Tier 4 student visa applications submitted to the UK Border Agency outside this period will be void and returned unprocessed. "  Sounds like none of us will be having this problem, anyway!

Last year, they didn't announce the in-person appointments until early June and the in-person appointment service was only available from:

- June 1st to September 30th (Mon-Thurs, 10am-11am only) at the Chicago consulate,
- June 16th to September 30th (Tues, Wed and Thurs, 10am-12pm only) at the New York consulate
- July 1st to September 30th (Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-11 am only) at the LA consulate

(from this thread: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=54797.0)

So they still might do it again this year, but possibly not for a few more weeks.

I don't see why people are worried about getting a plane ticket late. Why? The visa process is pretty clear-cut. Either you have the proper amount of funds or you don't, and the minimums are available on UKBA's website. If you meet the requirements for the visa, there's very little chance they won't let you in. I have known quite a few people who have gotten their tickets before their visas. Secondly, since most incoming students are coming in September, ticket prices tend to be cheaper as people aren't visiting the UK at that time. Try to relax a little bit as getting over here is stressful enough that it doesn't need added stress!

See this thread I started on buying a plane ticket before having your visa: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=62630

Also, personally, I am hoping to enter the UK in August, not September.

It looks like they've just announced the Tier 4 in-person application possibilities, available from June 1st (https://www.visainfoservices.com/Pages/Welcome.aspx - select United States from drop-down menu and then Additional Services on the Welcome page under Latest News).

However, it seems to fall under the new changes for expedited applications, which means that you'll have to pay an extra $100 to apply in person:

Premium Service (Tier 4 Students and Dependents)

Available at the UK Border Agency in Los Angeles, New York or Chicago. Please note that, this service is only available to applicants based in the USA.

Cost: $100 USD + taxes

Tier 4 Student applicants and their dependents may book a Premium Service appointment at their designated visa section in the US, to enable them to deliver their application and supporting documents in person to Entry Clearance Staff at the visa section. This appointment will also be valid for any Tier 4 dependent applicant, although it is not necessary for dependants to attend the appointment in person. A Premium Appointment can be scheduled at any time; however, applicants must ensure that 24 hours elapse between completion of their biometric appointment at the Application Support Centre and their Premium Appointment at the designated UK Border Agency visa section.

Premium Service allows applicants for Tier 4 category visas (Tier 4 applicants and their dependents) to book an appointment at their designated UK Border Agency visa section in Los Angeles, New York or Chicago, to submit their application in person and, under normal circumstances, collect their adjudicated application the same day. Applicants must ensure that they book their appointment at the designated UK Border Agency visa section in Chicago, Los Angeles or New York, based on their state of residence, as advised by www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk.

Available for applicants who have the following profile:

1.    Have not previously been refused a visa for the UK, and/or;

2.    Have not been refused leave to enter the UK, and/or

3.    Have not previously been deported, removed, or otherwise required to leave the UK, and/or;

4.    Have not overstayed a period of leave in the UK, and/or;

5.    Have not been refused leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office, and/or;

6.    Have not previously been refused a visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United States of America nor the Schengen countries.

7.    Have not been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or the USA.

Important notes:

The UK Border Agency strongly recommends that applicants with any form of adverse immigration history do not use this service.

The amount paid for the Premium Service, as well as visa fees, is not refundable if visa application is refused or, in exceptional cases, it takes longer than same day service.