IT SEEMS THAT the finely-honed, well-tested software system that is Portico has struck again, this time highlighting a (calculated?) flaw in UCL’s finance administration. When paying tuition fees using the system, the final screen asked for a credit card payment of £600 to confirm the booking. For students whose fees are paid by the Student Loans Company, this screen was meant to be ignored in lieu of an option to await loan payment. However, the confusing nature of Portico has (as a Finance Division employee admitted to The Cheese Grater) led to many students paying £600 when they didn’t need to.
Now here’s the fun part! Upon receiving an excess payment, one would assume the Finance Division would contact those who’ve paid more than necessary. Not quite. Whilst the Finance Division is more than apply in writing, it does not appear prepared to warn those who are currently owed money by College. When asked if this meant that, should someone not notice they are owed a refund, UCL would never tell them, Finance Division told The Cheese Grater that this was an “incorrect assumption” but refused to comment further on whether not they would notify parents or students who had overpaid.
Finance Division stated that: “It is our policy to refund only if we receive a written request to do so”. However, Finance staff have said this is a common problem and that many people have either yet to notice or contact UCL about it. Surely, if UCL is aware it is taking too much money from the students there should be a systematic procedure for refunds? Unsurprisingly, UCL would rather keep quiet and pocket the cash.