MSE News: Student Loans Company slammed for payment delays

Former_MSE_Guy

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"Heads are expected to roll at the beleaguered Student Loans Company (SLC) after a damning report today criticised the firm's handling of the student finance system ..."

Read the full story:
Student Loans Company slammed for payment delays

purepink

My son STILL hasn't got the 'means tested' element of his student loan, which means that he cannot access the University bursary!!! It's a shame that he has had to spend 3 months worrying about money, rather than concentrating on his studies!

rrainbow

I'm still waiting as well which as a mature student and mum of 4 is a struggle... they tell me that as I have dependents my application has been passed on to the 'special cases' department, and it could be January before I receive it, which is when the second payment is due!

redmel1621

I have also been caught up in the student finance farce. As dramatic as this might sound, I really believe they have ruined my life!!!

I left a job to start university on the promise of finance to be able to support myself and my three children. I have been late paying my rent each month and now have the landlords on my back about it, I haven't even been paying gas/water/tv licence because I do not have any money to do so. My three children attend childcare and the chidcare providers are now threatening to remove my children from their care as I haven't been able to pay them and they are becoming increasingly worried that the bill is rising and I may be refused the childcare element (I won't but they are worried, naturally)

I have not been able to attend university for the last two weeks as I haves craped the bottom of the barrel and there is nothing left...I am now getting tutors on my back to attend meetings to discuss my absence, but I can't even get to the meetings!!

I am furious at SLC/SFE and if they had been open about the problems then I may have reconsidered leaving my job and attending university this year, at least I could have made an informed decision and it would have been my choice.

I hope heads do roll, I think it is a disgrace that students can be treated like this and I blame our current government as much as SFE as it is their half-baked decision to transfer all finance applications to this pathetic excuse of a company, instead of leaving it in the fully competent hands of the LEA's who have done an outstanding job for many years.

Mel x

Taiko

Just for those who want to see the full report: http://www.bis.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/publications/Delivery-of-Financial-Support-to-Students.pdf

There's a lot in there, including a bit about 1.3 million calls going unanswered in one week.

I'll be doing a more in-depth analysis for TSR, and will copy bits over here in due course.

adambro

I'd originally decided to go without a maintenance this year but considering applying now. Finances aren't too desperate but having to keep a very close eye on spending and I don't want that to become a distraction. I'm not looking forward to the likely hassle and long wait that seems guaranteed.

melancholly

most unis have put together hardship funds to help out students to try and help cope with the SLC's complete mess up of the situation. anyone in trouble should speak to student services asap as they may be able to help with short term cash flow problems.

benfilan

I had my own problems with student finance, I applied on the 5th of May and just got my loan through last week

A girl I'm friends with is a mature student and has a young daughter, she applied the same time as me and still hasn't got her loan, she was thinking of dropping out. Two people in my class have dropped out due to problems with student finance. Its been a nightmare, literally.

Lottie_Q

I'd suggest that anyone struggling with SFE should contact their MP. After my son wasting weeks trying to apply via their useless website and never being able to speak to anyone on the phone, I contacted my MP and the whole thing was sorted in just over a week. They must have access to a secret number not available to us mere mortals as they were able to actually speak to a member of SFE staff, which we never managed! Hope this helps.

teabythesea

redmel1621 wrote: »

I have also been caught up in the student finance farce. As dramatic as this might sound, I really believe they have ruined my life!!!

I left a job to start university on the promise of finance to be able to support myself and my three children. I have been late paying my rent each month and now have the landlords on my back about it, I haven't even been paying gas/water/tv licence because I do not have any money to do so. My three children attend childcare and the chidcare providers are now threatening to remove my children from their care as I haven't been able to pay them and they are becoming increasingly worried that the bill is rising and I may be refused the childcare element (I won't but they are worried, naturally)

I have not been able to attend university for the last two weeks as I haves craped the bottom of the barrel and there is nothing left...I am now getting tutors on my back to attend meetings to discuss my absence, but I can't even get to the meetings!!

I am furious at SLC/SFE and if they had been open about the problems then I may have reconsidered leaving my job and attending university this year, at least I could have made an informed decision and it would have been my choice.

I hope heads do roll, I think it is a disgrace that students can be treated like this and I blame our current government as much as SFE as it is their half-baked decision to transfer all finance applications to this pathetic excuse of a company, instead of leaving it in the fully competent hands of the LEA's who have done an outstanding job for many years.

Mel x

Uni will not leave you without. No uni will. Yeah okay you didn't get your loan on time, I still don't have mine BUT student finance do help, they HAVE to help. If you can't cope they have money to give you. If you can't attend uni like you said they will pay for your train/bus fare. Some people just like to cause drama for the sake of it... esp. if you have kids they won't leave you without!