Student loan process 2010

Teatime, I got a little excited when I read the new update on City Uni site.  

Our US loans guy actually emailed me last week saying he was about to update the web site, and I've been obsessively checking it every day, so it wasn't that exciting for me, ha.  I'm excited that I've been able to start applying for the loans online, but I'll be truly excited when I have that loan letter in my hand.

I sent everything off by 8 a.m. UK time yesterday, and haven't heard anything today.  Fingers crossed for tomorrow- or that everything was perfect and my letter is in the mail.

The flow chart my uni used made it really easy to know the exact forms they wanted.  They even wanted some screen shots. Fingers crossed, that I'll have my loans certified asap, or that they already are.

Our US loans guy actually emailed me last week saying he was about to update the web site, and I've been obsessively checking it every day, so it wasn't that exciting for me, ha.  I'm excited that I've been able to start applying for the loans online, but I'll be truly excited when I have that loan letter in my hand.

Well you must get excited about the little things.  I was out of the country last week with no access to internet so I was out of touch with everything.  Not that it would have made a difference.

When will this wait end?!?!   

When will this wait end?!?!   

I know!  I can't wait to go from stressing about the loans to stressing about the visa.  Ha.

The only good thing about this is it makes the school year seem REALLY soon.  As in, 'Oh crap, I only have a month and a half to get this all sorted!  ..Wait, that means in 1.5 months hopefully I'll be in London!  Yay!'

Wow I'm so "glad" that I'm not the only one who is having an anxiety attack about this!  Today I spent the day calling the Federal Aid departments for foreign schools as well as normal customer service, because yesterday I was told my school that the USDE is lying to American students because they do not have access to the system because the guy hasn't sent it to them yet.  He also said that he contacted the person last Wednesday and was told he was suppose to get the information by Friday, and he is still waiting.

So in the end I spent the day calling the USDE because the rep at my school was out and hasn't done anything about calling for this information, and was able to find out the guy's name who is handling the Uni of Westminster systems and talk to a supervisor who gave me the number for the school to call to get this all sorted out.

So who knows where this all is going to lead to, I kind of feel like it's a big mess and people are either lying and or just being lazy, but I am crossing my fingers, because I was suppose to be in Europe for a festival 2 days ago, that lasts almost 2 months, so it's a bit frustrating and disappointing for me.

I wish everyone better luck than me!  I hope your schools aren't having the same issues with this as I am!

I received an email today saying that my visa letter had been sent and was to be here within 5-7 days.  (University of Leeds)

I received an email today saying that my visa letter had been sent and was to be here within 5-7 days.  (University of Leeds)

Lucky you, your university seems to be on top of things.  Guess I'll email mine tomorrow and bother them again..

I received an email today saying that my visa letter had been sent and was to be here within 5-7 days.  (University of Leeds)

Yeah wow lucky u, my school hasnt done so yet, yesterday it was "hoping to have full access tomorrow" but nothing!!! This is driving me crazy, i dont want to wait for the letter to be sent out neither!!
Your school is def on top of things, must be nice!

Are y'all attending Red Bricks?  It seems like they should all be on the same page.    Sorry to hear you're getting the run around. 

My school (City University London) is not a red brick, no.

argh so frustrated!!! My loan still not certified, its driving me crazy!! not sure what else i can do, cant keep bugging her. Anyone else still in my same boat?!! i just want to know what is going on!!! man

argh so frustrated!!! My loan still not certified, its driving me crazy!! not sure what else i can do, cant keep bugging her. Anyone else still in my same boat?!! i just want to know what is going on!!! man

I would keep bothering her.  Perhaps she can't certify it yet, but she should at least be able to tell you why and maybe give you a time line.

I'm still having the same problem.  They were suppose to attend another workshop today and my person told me they were going to start certifying this week, but I'm highly doubtful because I have been hearing this for weeks now.  I don't know, I keep calling and e-mailing and it's the same thing, they have access now but they don't know what to do.  I don't know how this is possible!

I got a loan email yesterday and will try to make sense of it tomorrow.  But I am happy they are finally getting it figured out.

Well, I have an update, finally.  My school sent me my 'award letter' by email -- it gave the maximum amounts of each loan (subsidized Stafford, unsubsidized Stafford, Grad PLUS) I could take out.  Then I had to fill out the form with how much I wanted.

I was originally told the cost of attendance would be £15,000 but it has now been changed to £16,120.  That is fine with me and I'll take it, but it's a little frightening to see the total amount of my loans edge past $40,000.  Eek.

Nevertheless, I'm sure the extra money will help, and I'm certainly glad things are moving along with this process.  I'll have to make a quick last minute trip to New York to run my documents up to the Consulate.  Anyone else doing the in-person visa appointments?