Student Loan Company delays: Kirklees students affected

Sep 18 2009 by Katie Grant, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

STUDENTS from Kirklees starting university this month could be left without their loans – but the University of Huddersfield is already taking steps to help any students who are struggling.

The Student Loans Company (SLC) yesterday confirmed up to 60,000 UK students may not receive full funding because of delays in administration.

But University of Huddersfield Vice- Chancellor Prof Bob Cryan said last night the university would do all it could to ease the financial plight of those students facing a cash crisis.

He said: “It’s too early to gauge how many of our students will be affected, but we are putting in a contingency and if students are facing hardship we will find a way of helping them.

“Anyone in this position should contact Student Support and we will find a way to help them through those critical first few weeks. We do not want them to struggle and we are in talks with the Student Union on this.’’

Student Union president Junaid Ejaz has already heard of teenagers having problems getting their loans.

“The students I’ve met so far have been having great difficulties,’’ he said. “It’s just taking forever. It isn’t great news, especially during the recession when nobody has much money.