I got a £10,000 loan for my nursing degree. Now they say it’s an error and I have to pay it back
I got a £10,000 loan for my nursing degree. Now they say it’s an error and I have to pay it back
David Robinson, a nurse, recently found himself in a state of uncertainty after discovering that the financial support for his postgraduate diploma was revoked. He had relied on NHS bursaries and personal savings to fund his studies, alongside securing a tuition fee loan. Additionally, he was granted a £10,538 maintenance loan to cover living expenses. However, an email from his university last week revealed a critical mistake: his one-year course was not eligible for such loans, requiring him to repay all funds at an expedited pace.
Robinson’s program, though full-time and including clinical placements, had been incorrectly classified. The Student Loans Company (SLC) and universities have now informed 22,000 students enrolled in weekend courses that their eligibility for funding was flawed. The SLC stated that some institutions had improperly categorised distance learning programs, but adjustments are necessary. Universities, in a joint statement, expressed concern and hinted at potential legal action, prioritising student support while reviewing the situation.
“I was concerned, I can only repay what I can afford,” said Robinson, now back in NHS work. “It just doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever, and it may not instil any confidence in people wanting to undertake the course that I have done, and be a nurse.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the issue, attributing it to institutional errors or system abuse. She urged universities to act swiftly to assist affected students. The university also assured Robinson that his qualification remains valid, while continuing to advocate with the SLC for reconsideration.
Teaching assistant faces financial setback
Teaching assistant Lou Osborne, who resit her GCSE exams to pursue an education degree at the University of Sunderland, is also grappling with the repercussions. Her accelerated two-year course, involving written assessments and Saturday lectures, had been “amazing” and set to conclude in 2027 with a final 12-week evaluation. Yet, this week, all students received similar notices, causing panic.
“We all went into a bit of a panic,” Osborne shared. “We’re all working full-time and can’t afford not to work full-time. We’re paying into the economy by working and are now told, ‘You don’t deserve help because you’re part-time.'”
Osborne had received a £3,500 maintenance loan for books and transport. When she contacted the SLC, she was informed repayment must be immediate, with interest applied. A longer-term plan was ruled out. “It’s not a handout, we know we have to pay,” she concluded, reflecting the shared frustration of affected students.
