Students on the South Coast say they’re “hopeless” as maintenance loans withdrawn

We’re hearing how a student finance error has impacted students

We’re hearing how a huge error which led to thousands of weekend students having their student finances withdrawn is impacting students across the South Coast.

It’s after maintenance loans were withdrawn from more than 20 thousand weekend-based students and told they need to repay the money.

Southampton Solent University, alongside eight other UK universities, say they’ll now be taking legal action against the Department for Education and the Student Loans Company.

Kacper Pawelek studies Cyber Security at the university’s campus in Manchester, and said: “I personally know a couple of students that lost their jobs because the business could not accommodate them.

“So they had to leave a job and I wouldn’t say the maintenance loan was the main source of income, but it was a big chunk of household income that all of a sudden was removed.

“That rendered a lot of people in financial detriment.”

Southampton Solent University say the withdrawal’s affected students balancing work, caring responsibilities, and education and that the loans are essential to basic living costs.

Kacper told us how he’s finding it.

He said: “At the moment, I’m left with around £200 a month to live on as well as obviously commute to university with extra days.

“Petrol is expensive, so we’re talking about £50 a month extra, and then that brings me down to £150 for food.

“I don’t think that’s feasible.”

Southampton Solent University released a statement on their pre-action letter.

Professor James Knowles, Southampton Solent University: “Universities have faced a prolonged period of inconsistent and unclear advice from the Student Loans Company, creating significant uncertainty for institutions and students alike.

“The decision to block access to student finance, announced with minimal notice, is the latest and most concerning example of this approach and is unjust in its impact on students who are already navigating complex personal and financial circumstances.

“This action runs counter to the government’s stated ambition of supporting flexible education routes that reflect the realities of modern learners’ lives.

“At a time when the UK urgently needs to upskill and reskill its workforce, restricting access to finance risks undermining opportunities for individuals and dampening progress towards national economic goals.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “I have long been clear about our commitment to crack down on university franchising arrangements that do not deliver for their students and abuse the system.

“I will always prioritise protecting students and safeguarding taxpayers’ money.

“This is not students’ fault.

“Too many organisations have let their students down, through either incompetence or abuse of the system.

“Many of these organisations lack the necessary governance and oversight to properly implement clear guidance.

“Others have used this loophole as another opportunity to abuse public money.

“Either way, this is not the standard I expect from our world-class university sector.

“Universities must take immediate action to support students who will face financial difficulties as a result.”

We’ve reached out to Southampton Solent University and the Student Loans Company.

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