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Important News for International Students
Visa Extensions
It is essential that you make your visa extension application before your current visa expires. The Home Office are rejecting a large number of applications that are made 'out of time'. If you have made an application after your visa expires or your visa has expired and you are about to make an application, please seek advice from the International Adviser in the Advice and Support Centre.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme
The Government havelaunched the new Academic and Technology Approval Scheme for students studying certain science and engineering courses. From 30th November it wil be compulsory to apply to the scheme before you can extend your visa. If you are in one of the following schools then please click on our page inthe left hand menu or click here for further information click here.
You could be wasting money on invalid insurance
Do you have a credit card or personal loan? Do you have repayment insurance (PPI) on the account? You are probably paying quite alot of money each month for this insurance so that if you are sick or lose your job, your loan or credit card repayments continue. But if you are a full-time student, it is highly unlikely that your insurance is valid and that you would be able to claim on it.
As a full-time student, even if you work along side your studies, it is doubtful that for the purposes of the insurance policy, you could be classed as "employed". Your status is that of "student" and any paid work you do is ancillary to this. Your main income is regarded to be your student support i.e. student loan/grants, not your wage packet. Therefore, if you were unable to work because of ill-health or because your employer terminated your contract, you would not be able to claim on your insurance.
If you have an insurance policy like this, it is worth contacting the provider to check whether the policy is valid. If it is not, then we advise you cancel it and stop paying for a service you cannot use.
If you have become a full-time student since taking out such an insurance policy then the onus is on you to tell your lender and insurance provider, your change of circumstances and check whether this insurance remains valid.
If you were already a full-time student when you were sold this policy and you had made the lender aware that you were a full-time student, you could argue that the policy has been mis-sold to you if it turns out to be invalid. In this case, you may wish to not only cancel the policy but to ask for a refund of the insurance payments you have made so far.
If you think you may fit into either of the above criteria and wish to know more or to ask for assistance, please do not hesistate to contact the Advice and Support Centre where our finance advisers will speak to you confidentially.
Essential life skills - Managing money
Life can throw up many difficult situations and learning how to cope with them is a skill in itself. Essential life skills is a must for all students.
The Advice & Support Centre offer life skills workshops free of charge:
Making the most of your Money:
Refresh your memory or learn how to budget, make your money go further.
Make more informed spending decisions.
Prepare and stick to a budget.
Our workshops will give you some positive things you can do to take control of your finances.
For details on the above and more visit the Advice & Support Centre
Scam telephone calls re: bank charges
