University Lends Helping Hand To Cash-Strapped Students

Fri, 23 Oct 2009

The University of Plymouth has come to the aid of hundreds of cash-strapped students for the second year in a row.

The institution has helped its students who have been affected by the backlog in student finance applications by handing out 269 loans totalling £50,000, almost double last year's temporary pay-out of £27,000 in 170 short-term loans .

Last month the Student Loans Company (SLC) announced it was struggling to process all student loan applications in time for the start of the new academic year, leaving thousands facing the prospect of heading to university without sufficient funds.

However, Higher Education Minsiter David Lammy said around 70,000 students are still waiting to have their funding approved.

Aleshia Sampson, president of the Plymouth University student union, said: "It's a huge problem as there are so many students affected. We have been told that all applications will be dealt with by the end of October so we are hoping that comes through."

"The university and student union are doing everything they can to help, handing out money from hardship funds if necessary.

The SLC said it has dealt with more applications than it had at this time last year, but has apologised for the loan delays and for difficulties people have had in getting through on help lines.

It added that it was "working flat out to get money to students as soon as possible".
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