bump

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/students/122392-student-loans-mackenzie-hall.html a little long winded i am afraid!

Hi, I am about to be taken to court on a matter which is featured on this site, I would like some advice regarding a solicitor. I have completed the defense application and allocation application, and I guess I am now waiting for a date. I would be happy with the court duty solicitor, but is there anything I need do before I arrive at court? Also I may be eligible for legal aid. Does this need applying for before hand? Many thanks in advance H

Ok Latest Update, The university is taking me to court, can anyone offer any advice for pit falls to look out for. I am about to write my defense, would someone be able to read some drafts? Many Thanks H

My Partner keeps getting calls from someone from the Bank of Scotland asking for me when I am out. She called back the number and the line just kept going dead. I have never had anything to do with the back of scotland so I am wondering if this is a Student Loans trying to get into verbal conversation. Are they allowed to do this?

Received a letter from TNC Collections today regarding payment of PGCE course. Not heard from them since I made them an offer back in February. They state that unless payment is received within the next seven day's, court proceedings will be instituted. I think I will wait and see if they take me to court, do you think thats wise? regards H

Yes they have, my own foolish fault, but it will be the last mistake I make regarding loans. Will pay for my goods outright from now on. Many Thanks again H

Thanks ODC, will do so immediately! Though I would'nt mind setyting the dogs on them:D While I have your attention I have another financial issue which may become an issue if I don't deal with it properly. I have another loan account with the AA for aprox £5000. Up Until recently I have been paying them £122 pounds every month. After losing my work due to illness I wrote them to tell them of the situation and would they except a reduced payment of £32 and if they could freeze the interest so that I could be paying the loan off in total. My reply was basically they did not make deals and I could make a payment of £40 and this would mean my debt would be in arrears. I have been doing this for a nearly 6 months now with no improvement to my situation except I am healthy again and trying to get some work going. We can just about manage the £40 a month but I feel that the debt will just increase with arrears mounting. I have one more month which they can except my reduced payment after which they will take legal proceedings. What is my best corse of action here. Write them with my reduced payment plan before the next payment is due? Many Thanks for your help, it is good to slowly sort all this stuff out. Regards H

Hi ODC, Haven't heard anything from McKenzie Hall to date. Today I received a letter from Meritforce informing me of an authorized collector visit, and should the collector receive no positive comment towards clearing the debt, the account will be returned to the office for potential action. What would be the best way forward here, I was thinking I should send them the same letter as I sent Mckenzie Hall. Am I right in thinking this?

I have an account with the AA for aprox £5000. Up Until recently I have been paying them £122 pounds every month. After losing my work due to illness I wrote them to tell them of the situation and would they except a reduced payment of £32 and if they could freeze the interest so that I could be paying the loan off in total. My reply was basically they did not make deals and I could make a payment of £40 and this would mean my debt would be in arrears. I have been doing this for a couple of months now with no improvement to my situation. We can just about manage the £40 a month but I feel that the debt will just increase with arrears mounting. I have to phone them today to come to another arrangement fee with them. Can someone advise as what would be the best course of action. Many Thanks Hum

They wont do it. If the worst comes to the worst then I have a witness who will state that they told us "that the course was mandatory and we wouldn't have to pay". This is now a common con from what I hear. It has all gone quiet on this front for now anyway since I told them that I had evidence to the contrary. Thank you for your advice, will get the letter off this afternoon and keep you posted.

Yes, they told me it was mandatory. Should I send it recorded?

Received a letter from mackenzie hall saying that they have sanctioned a doorstep visit on my property by field collector merit-force. Alternatively they will suggest to their client to take court action. Not sure if I should reply to this?

Looking through statement that I received from SL, It would seem that they have been charging interest twice in a month each month. Is this right? The two payments are around £3 and £13. Can anyone explain this? Having Checked all admin charges it would seem that there were £129.74. Haven't replied to McKenzie Halls request and I haven't heard from either.

To Update, Debt 1: I have written to SL offering to pay 40% of the debt pro rata at 10.92 per month. I have now received a letter from Mackenzie Hall requesting the money. Not sure what to do about this. Debt 2 I wrote an offer of full and final settlement for £140, in return for my PGCE certificate. No reply from them. I wrote to both around the 28th of February.

Ok on the second debt, I think I am going to write back saying Il see them in court. Is this sensible?

Hi there noomill60, I will try and clarify my position as I am in desperate need of advice and guidance. There are two debts involved here and I have a query with both. Debt 1: This debt with student loans goes back to when I was a student from 1997 to 2001. I want on to do a Post grad in 2000 and presumed in my naivety that as I was still a student and no action would be required. This was not the SL's point of view, who insisted I should have deferred the loan following my undergraduate years. As I was still a student and had no way of repaying I was left with one option which was ignoring them for many years and it is for this I feel I had been unfairly treated. When I begun work I paid back some of this loan, but for a reason which I will go on to explain I left my work and am now unable to afford repayment. I have recived all my account details from them, but I am unsure as to what to do next. 1. Can I fight their initial decision to call in the loan whilst I was still a student? 2. Now I have all this information, how does it help. Do I need to reclaim unfair charges and are there likely to be any? 3. Do I pursue a settlement, taking into account my circumstances? 4. Do I ask them to write off the debt taking into account my position? Debt 2: has just recently come to light. I have received a letter from TNC Legal Services demanding Payment of the PGCE course or subsequent legal proceedings. I was told when I started the course that it was a legal requirement to do the course or I could lose my job or be on a lower pay scale, I was also told I would not have to pay for the course. I may have someone who will corroborate this. Today I have received a letter from Slone Portland Associates, Litigation Service Devision demanding payment or court proceedings may be instituted. What would be the best thing to do here? If anyone can offer advice I would be very grateful Many Thanks H:(

Does anyone know if student loans can call in a debt whilst the borrower is still a student?

I Have recived SL details and am about to go through it all this afternoon. Is there somthing I should be looking out for?

AH!! Just found the second page!:o

Hello there Hippy Chick, How are you? I must apologize as I wrote you season's greetings on the forum but do not seem to have come up, so sorry for that and let me wish you a Happy New Year. I am expecting student loan details to come on saturday, but I have just received a letter from TNC Legal Services demanding Payment of the PGCE course or subsequent legal proceedings. I was told when I started the course that it was a legal requirement and would not have to pay. What would be the best way to sort this out? Hope you are well and out of the snow!

Hello HC, Received a reply from SL who say they will get back to me by the 26th of January with all the details. Anyway enough of that boring stuff, hope you have a lovely holiday at this festive time. Thanks for all your help, and will wish you good fortune for the new year. Merry Christmas Huw xx

lol Letter all sent so now miss! will see what the damage they have been up too. I'll be really glad to get all this sorted! )

Looks like you did have a good time, don't envy your head this morning though lol sorry shouldn't laugh. I'l get back to that letter and let you get some rest.

Ahh just remembered! Have you heard Terry Collier. Not much about her on the net but she's out there! Cant wait to get all my music out now, the house is a building site, but not for long hopfully! Seems I'm not the only one unable to sleep!! Cheers