Hi All,
I have recently come to a crossroads and was hoping for some advice!
I am a dual Australian/Hungarian citizen. For the most part of the last three years (Since December 2014) I was living in London, England. I had to move back to Australia in August 2017 as my visa [Tier 5 Youth Mobility] expired, and I had to apply for my Hungarian passport.
Here's where it gets tricky... I recently applied for university in London (commencing this September 2018). I was accepted into my first preference course (yay!) however there has been an issue with distinguishing which fees I will be expected to pay (UK/EU fees, or International fees). When I was living in London I was on my Australian passport, HOWEVER, I was then (& now) a dual citizen.
So... I still have been an 'ordinarily resident', which is one of the factors of determination (see below - according to Student Finance UK):
"The main purpose for the three years' residence in the UK and Islands must not have been to receive full-time education during any part of it, unless the student is a European Union citizen (but not a British citizen) and immediately prior to the three-year period was ordinarily resident in the European Economic Area, Switzerland or qualifying overseas territories (see below)."
When I reached out to Student Finance UK, they mistakenly judged me for having previously being on a Tier 2 Visa which is a work sponsorship visa. The response I received was "No, you will not be eligible as you were living on your Australian passport, not EU citizenship."... But this is where I am confused - I was still a dual citizen? Does this mean that the passport you travel on is the only recognised citizenship you are?
I still have the same name. I just find it quite unfair that in spite of being an EU citizen, and in spite of having lived in England for THREE years prior to my course starting, I won't be acknowledged for Student Finance.
**I won't be leaving after my studies, I intend to permanently reside in England for the rest of my life after once graduating.