Chileconcarne,
I was asked if I had any preference over start date, but I just said "as soon as possible"!!! I would have thought that there would be a maximum of 30 applicants going for the places, seeing as the interviews were spread out over 4-5 days. But having said that, it's probably only going to be about 18.
I've already sent my loan application off as i'm hoping to go out to Jerez in September if I don't get through on this scheme. I would be a bit worried about going to Jerez without the finance sorted - what happens if for some reason your loan application got rejected?! You said that some were 4/5 months behind schedule - would that mean that you'd have to wait that long until you received the money through?? Scary thought - could be close to your first set of exams and then have the plug pulled on you!
Hopefully not.
Frank