I got a £10,000 loan for my nursing degree. Now they say it’s an error and I have to pay it back
Students face unexpected repayment demands
David Robinson, a recent graduate of Edge Hill University in Liverpool, has been informed that the £10,538 maintenance loan he received for his postgraduate nursing course must be repaid immediately. The loan, which he applied for alongside an NHS bursary and personal savings, was initially seen as a key step toward advancing his career in healthcare. However, a recent email from his university revealed the course was ineligible for financial support, leaving him in financial uncertainty.
“We expect that the SLC’s ‘overpayment notification letter’ will request immediate payment of your outstanding maintenance loan balances,” the email stated.
The issue has affected over 22,000 students enrolled in weekend-based programs, according to BBC News. These learners, including Robinson, were told their courses had been misclassified under funding rules. Though Robinson’s program included full-time study and clinical placements, it still fell under the category of one-year postgraduate courses, which are not typically eligible for maintenance grants.
Confusion and financial strain
The Student Loans Company (SLC) acknowledged some institutions had “incorrectly categorised distance learning courses,” but students now face rapid repayment. For those like Robinson, who are already working in the NHS, the burden is significant. “I was concerned, I can only repay what I can afford,” he said, emphasizing the lack of clarity in the process.
“It just doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever,” Robinson added. “It may not instil any confidence in people wanting to undertake the course that I have done, and be a nurse.”
Teaching assistant Lou Osborne, who pursued an education degree at the University of Sunderland, shared a similar experience. Her accelerated two-year program, featuring Saturday lectures and written assessments, had been “amazing” and her final 12-week assessment was set for 2027. Yet, she and her peers were suddenly told their £3,500 maintenance loan would be reclaimed “immediately” with interest, despite being full-time workers.
“We all went into a bit of a panic,” Osborne said. “We’re paying into the economy by working and are now told, ‘You don’t deserve help because you’re part-time.'”
Universities and policymakers respond
Several universities have expressed concern over the revised funding rules, with some considering legal action. In a joint statement, they noted the decision could impact students’ ability to complete their studies. The SLC assured that repayment plans would be “affordable” where possible, but critics argue the change has caught learners off guard.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson called the situation “not students’ fault,” blaming “incompetence or abuse of the system” by institutions. “Universities must take immediate action to support students facing financial difficulties,” she urged.
Edge Hill University confirmed it would continue advocating for its students with the SLC, while also offering short-term assistance to those struggling with costs. “Further support is being provided for current students whose studies could otherwise have been disrupted by financial hardship,” a spokesperson said.
