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’s Financial Shock
David Robinson recently completed a nursing degree, which he believed was a valuable investment in advancing his NHS career. He had relied on an NHS bursary and personal savings to fund his studies, along with a tuition fee loan. Additionally, he secured a £10,538 maintenance loan to cover living expenses. However, a recent email from his university upended his plans, revealing that his one-year postgraduate diploma in adult nursing was not eligible for maintenance loans or grants. This means he must now repay all the money he received at a faster pace.
“I was concerned, I can only repay what I can afford,” said Robinson, who is now back working as an NHS nurse. “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.”
The Student Loans Company (SLC) has informed 22,000 students enrolled in weekend courses that their studies were ineligible for financial support. Though Robinson’s program was full-time, including clinical placements, it still fell under the new rule. According to regulations, one-year postgraduate courses are not typically funded, leaving students like him in a precarious position.
Some universities have expressed concern over the SLC’s decision, with a joint statement noting their “extreme concern” and consideration of a legal challenge. They emphasized their commitment to assisting affected students during the review process. Meanwhile, the SLC stated that a few institutions had “incorrectly categorised distance learning courses,” and they would work with students to establish “affordable repayment plans” where possible.
Lou Osborne’s Uncertain Future
Teaching assistant Lou Osborne resat her GCSE maths and science exams to qualify for an education degree at the University of Sunderland. “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember,” she said. The two-year program, featuring written assessments and Saturday lectures, was “amazing” for her. She was set to graduate in 2027, with a final 12-week assessment remaining. But this week, all students on the course received a similar notice, prompting panic among them.
“We all went into a bit of a panic,” Osborne said. “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 been approved for a £3,500 maintenance loan to cover books and transport. When she contacted the SLC, she was told the funds must be repaid “immediately” with interest, and longer-term plans were no longer an option. “It’s not a handout, we know we have to pay,” she added.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the issue, stating it was “not students’ fault” and that many institutions had “let them down through either incompetence or abuse of the system.” She urged universities to act swiftly to support those facing financial strain. The university also assured students that their qualifications remain “fully recognised” and would continue advocating with the SLC for their case.
