Over 20,000 university students in England who have received substantial government maintenance loans and grants have been informed that they must repay these funds due to inaccuracies in their universities’ eligibility assessments. These students, enrolled in weekend courses across 15 institutions, recently received notifications from Student Finance England, a branch of the government-run Student Loans Company, indicating that their universities incorrectly reported their course attendance. The letter stated, “Unfortunately, they didn’t inform us that you only attended on weekends.”
According to guidelines set forth by the Department for Education, students who are enrolled solely in weekend courses are ineligible for long-term maintenance loans intended to support living expenses. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson attributed the issue to either “incompetence or misuse of the system” on the part of the universities, which she claimed have failed their students by inaccurately registering these weekend courses. The total amount of incorrect payments made has reached approximately £190 million.
Phillipson emphasized that the fault does not lie with the students. “Many of these institutions lack the governance and oversight necessary to effectively implement clear guidelines. Others have exploited this loophole to misuse public funds. Regardless of the reason, this is not the level of accountability I expect from our esteemed university sector,” she remarked.
In response, several of the affected universities, including Bath Spa, Solent, and Oxford Brookes, are contemplating a legal challenge against this decision. “We are deeply troubled that maintenance loan payments for students nationwide have been abruptly halted,” stated representatives from London Metropolitan University and other unnamed institutions through Universities UK, the sector’s representative body. “We are currently seeking legal advice to contest the actions of the Department for Education and the Student Loans Company.”
The National Union of Students (NUS) has labeled this incident a “scandal,” asserting that it has caused significant distress for those impacted. NUS President Amira Campbell noted that many of the students facing sudden repayment requests are from lower-income backgrounds and have family obligations, often needing to work during the week to support their education. “Many of these individuals have never had the opportunity for higher education, entering the workforce and starting families before realizing they could enhance their skills,” she explained.
Campbell further stated, “Maintenance loans serve as a crucial support system for mature students seeking higher education. The removal of this support creates substantial barriers for a government that claims to advocate for individuals from non-traditional backgrounds to pursue higher education. This situation starkly contradicts that goal.”
Cosmin Visan, a 34-year-old student, shared his experience with the Guardian, stating that he and his partner, Elena Braisteanu, 25, are enrolled in weekend business management courses at the London College of Contemporary Arts. While he works in construction during the week, Braisteanu looks after their seven-month-old son. Although they have not received official communication regarding the amount they must repay, he estimates it could exceed £30,000. Visan expressed his difficulty in articulating the stress they are under, noting that his partner is beginning to show signs of anxiety. “I can’t display my feelings, but I am quite distressed about this situation,” he confessed.
Although the couple has transitioned to midweek courses, Visan fears that the repayment demands may force them to withdraw from their studies to seek employment, complicating their childcare arrangements. “I really don’t know what we would do,” he lamented. He criticized the government for not providing clearer regulations and also pointed fingers at his college, which is operating the course under a franchise from the University for the Creative Arts. “They’ve taken advantage of the situation, and now we find ourselves in this predicament,” he concluded.
