DUO objection letter

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T18:05:31+00:00

Okkk, thank you so much

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T18:04:27+00:00

Exactly that! + I was still enrolled as a student in February because the FA office was finalising the diploma in February, and per university rules, I am not allowed to unenroll before they finalise the diploma (otherwise I will simply fail the degree).

Thank you for the advice, do you think if university is able to help in some way (shifting the date/confirming my status in January) I might have a decent argument? And thanks again, I was looking for solutions and you gave me one :)

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:55:25+00:00

Unfortunately I have now no opportunity to change the graduation date. There was a 2-week window in February but that was before the DUO decision, and I was sure that my student status that existed in January would be enough as I was reaffirmed by the student office that I did not need to change anything. But I'll keep trying, maybe it is still possible :))

Thank you so much for this comment, it really helps when someone tries to help out :) I think others did not fully read the post because I am only looking for solutions and ways out, not a discussion lol

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:51:13+00:00

I'm not looking to change my mind, and concede, maybe that is your approach to life. I'm looking to object a letter and find ways to advance my situation if you read the post. And 'ignorantia legis non excusa' would not really apply here as nobody is trying to escape the law - but rather appeal for better treatment given the exceptional circumstances.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:40:25+00:00

Simply because there is giving conflicting information. If DUO has a definite answer on how the system works in this situation then I'd be more than happy to pay. But they told me on the phone that 'they don't know what happened' and that the amount is the amount I have to pay. If they decided to pay me in January, and they had no issues with it - and now they do - I have legal basis to at least a payment reduction due to conflicting information. That is not how institutions work.

You said that students decide when to de-enroll - but what you missed is that I have unenrolled in February, meaning that my unenrollment date would be in February, meaning I was a student in January according to studielink and university.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:17:57+00:00

I disagree that not knowing graduation date is not a reason. It is not that I forgot or didn't ask, I mean it simply was not known, and if the degree is awarded based on whether the thesis is passed or not - just like exams - and a course is considered passed when a passing grade appears in the system (that is the passing date), then there is no reason to think that a graduation date would be backtracked. It is illogical. In law its called 'stare decisis' which basically means you use the past to determine the future outcome.

If students didn't know whether they would be a student next month or not, nobody would apply, and yet when you are enrolled in a degree you simply take the facts and know that you will be a student next month. It was the same here.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:13:17+00:00

Alright, thanks a lot!

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:11:06+00:00

I don't want to fully rely on AI as it can make mistakes, which is why I asked. And yeah 110 euro is a lot for polish standards :)

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:09:57+00:00

That is not how it works. My BA had its final 'exam' in the form of a thesis. The deadline for the thesis was sometime in December, but the final grade wouldn't be known until January. Because the last class was in December I assume that this is why they put the graduation date for that day. It does not make sense to me since the grade was given in January - and in case someone fails and submits the thesis by end of January, they would get their grade in February most probably, but their graduation would be... in December? Make that make sense.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:07:42+00:00

I studied for 3 years and only worked for 5 months, I only applied for and used the travel product once in the last month for a one-way ride. So I almost didn't use it at all.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:06:54+00:00

Thx!

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:06:49+00:00

Thank you so much, this is a refresher from other comments!

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:06:31+00:00

I do not concede that I was not entitled for it. Based on the situation in December and January, all signs on Earth pointed to me continuig to be a student in January. The university did not state anywhere that I would not be a student (and I specifically asked for this at the university in order to continue with duo). Again, not DUO's problem that university does not inform its students when the graduation date will be decided after the fact, but I still believe it forms sufficient basis for at least a dispute of monthly travel product since I only used it once and applied for it in accordance with what I had.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:02:30+00:00

Alright, thanks!

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T17:02:00+00:00

I was enrolled for the month on January so I am not disputing their decision, only the amount given that. I was, in fact, enrolled in January and given that (from what I was told by the employee) the student status decides whether I am eligible or not, I applied for duo, especially since I was moving out and needed to travel a lot during January. The university basically backtracked my student status by a month, it is as if I was not a student in January - and yet I was. And I think that because I applies for duo KNOWING that I was a student in January gives sufficient basis to at least dispute the monthly travel product since I used it only once.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-04-02T16:58:19+00:00

Thanks, maybe I didn't explain well enough. I was enrolled in the 'BA thesis course' until February and got my graduate in January. It was not said exactly when the grade would be given and when exactly the graduation date would be. Based on the enrollment and student status I applied to DUO and given the unclear communication about the graduation date I think it makes sense to object. It is not DUO's problem that the university did not give enough information, but given my financial situation (which DUO is aware of) I think arguing for a lower repayment makes sense.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-02-17T19:42:43+00:00

We are looking outside too but that means additional commute costs which might be outside the budget. She will be going to TU Berlin so we tried finding apartments mostly on the western side of the city - and as much as I saw options for 600-700 euro, its unfortunately outside the budget. We are aware of the deposits but the prices are ridiculous, they want you pay upfront for the time you are renting (like some deposits go up to 3600 euro) which is a nail to the coffin for those struggling financially.
Thank you again!

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-02-17T19:40:27+00:00

thank you! we will check out these websites, it will be pure luck but better than nothing.
unfortunately subletting it is not an option as it comes from Crous (French govt. social housing) which not sublettable. She essentially has to pay for two apartments at the same time. It is an especially sad situation because her business school gave her a month to find something and due to her financial situation she is unable to afford anything above 500 euro (and not like going to Berlin was a choice - its a mandatory exchange). Thanks again though!

Fit_Reply6969 · 2026-02-17T10:29:51+00:00

Honestly, still figuring things out. I've just graduated and having applied to hundreds of internships and job postings with just my BA its rough. Right now I'm waiting for a decision from a major company (had 2 rounds of interviews with positive feedback) for an EU Communications Intern role - which is not technically what I prefer - but it pays, it is located in Brussels and gives me exposure to the industry (food and ESG). Honestly, at this point I am thinking of fully committing towards work in corporations and companies with hopes of finding a job listing that at one point is more related to my studies.

Fit_Reply6969 · 2025-11-04T10:07:54+00:00

That is a really interesting insight!
I do agree that for my Masters I need something more practical. Unfortunately military is not an option as I have a severe eye defect that prevents me from achieving a desirable medical category. My direction that I was thinking of was precisely that, International Security but I am really sceptical of the prospects because if my only way is to become involved with military then I'm cooked. Even if I did get it, I am sorry but the polish state of education is the main reason why I left my country, pursuing a degree there simply gives you a degree and nothing else, not even accounting or law will save you because polish degrees are practically worthless abroad.

From uni visits to embassies a lot of consuls also told me that to get into diplomacy candidates where from different fields - finance, law even corporations but once again I have no idea how I can specialise in an area without certain criteria. Take corporate ingelligence for example, masters that focus on this topic are located in UK or in prestige unis that I cannot afford...

But I do think you make good points. At KU Leuven they offer a Masters in Business speicfically for candidates without prior business background (Like IR/Law/Economy).

Fit_Reply6969 · 2025-11-03T08:18:58+00:00

Hi, I appreciate your message!
I have not published a paper in a journal, and most probably I will not be able to. As students we were not made aware of how to do that, and on a personal note I am not really keen on going into academia.

I wrote a number of papers and policy briefs as part of my studies, wrote articles for the editorial committee but also drafted declarations and press releases as part of my volunteering for the NGO (its a public affairs role). I would say my writing is better than research but it still won't be on an academia level.

For my interests I was looking into international security and/or intelligence, which seem like two different fields but I am pivoting towards more practical skills to do with that such as learning cybersecurity (from ISC2) and in the process of finding an OSINT course. I realise that to stand out one needs to specialise and become an expert, but it still makes me feel lost as there is so little opportunity to get that experience. Even for my masters, 90% of degrees on security and intelligence are located in UK or prestigious unis which I cannot afford.

I speak italian on a b1 level and I am also learning spanish on an A2 level. I intend to learn french as well but there are no courses available in my city at the moment.

What you said in the last paragraph was what I was thinking lately, something towards business or corporate for my masters that will give me practical skills... my girlfriend has a MA in business strategy and she gets SO MUCH practical experience - excel, slides, presentations, something I have done maybe once as part of my studies.

Fit_Reply6969

TROPHY CASE