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 recent graduate from Edge Hill University in Liverpool, has faced a sudden financial upheaval after learning his one-year postgraduate nursing course was ineligible for maintenance loans and grants. The news came via an email from his university, which confirmed the Student Loans Company (SLC) had reclassified his program, requiring him to repay the full amount he received at an accelerated rate. Robinson had relied on a combination of NHS bursaries, personal savings, and a tuition fee loan to fund his studies, which included clinical placements and full-time university attendance.
The Broader Impact
According to BBC News, this issue has affected over 22,000 students enrolled in weekend courses. These students were informed their programs had not qualified for the financial support they were granted. While Robinson’s course wasn’t entirely weekend-based, he still found himself impacted by the revised rules, which now consider one-year postgraduate courses as less likely to be funded.
Some universities have expressed concern over the SLC’s decision, with a joint statement revealing they are “extremely concerned” and contemplating a legal challenge. The affected institutions emphasized their commitment to supporting students during the review process. The SLC, meanwhile, stated that a few universities had “incorrectly categorised distance learning courses,” promising to collaborate with students for manageable repayment plans where possible.
Student Reactions
Robinson, now working as an NHS nurse, voiced his frustration: “I was concerned, I can only repay what I can afford. It just doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever, and it may not instil confidence in people wanting to undertake the course I have done, and be a nurse.” He argued that the repayment terms should reflect the original agreements, not a sudden shift.
“We expect that the SLC’s ‘overpayment notification letter’ will request immediate payment of your outstanding maintenance loan balances,”
the university email stated, adding that it had assured students this would be handled through an affordable repayment plan. However, Robinson’s case highlights the uncertainty many face as they scramble to adjust to the new financial obligations.
A Similar Struggle
Teaching assistant Lou Osborne, who resat her GCSE exams to pursue an education degree at the University of Sunderland, has also encountered this problem. Her two-year accelerated course, which featured Saturday lectures and written assessments, had been “amazing” in her eyes. She was set to graduate in 2027, with a final 12-week assessment remaining. But this week, she received a similar email, forcing her to confront an immediate repayment of her £3,500 maintenance loan with interest.
“We’re paying into the economy by working and are now told, ‘You don’t deserve help because you’re part-time,'”
Osborne said, reflecting the panic among her peers. The SLC’s decision to require instant repayment has left many in a difficult position, especially those balancing full-time work with studies. She noted that a longer-term plan was no longer an option, emphasizing the financial strain on students who had already invested significant time and effort.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the situation as “not students’ fault,” blaming institutions for “incompetence or abuse of the system.” She urged universities to act swiftly to support those facing hardship due to the changes. Meanwhile, the university continues to advocate for its students, asserting that their qualifications remain “fully recognized” and that they will persist in challenging the SLC’s rulings.
