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, who completed his nursing degree in summer 2025, now faces the prospect of repaying all the financial aid he received. The course, which he undertook at Edge Hill University in Liverpool, had initially been approved for maintenance loans and grants. However, a recent email from the university revealed that his one-year postgraduate diploma in adult nursing was ineligible for such support, prompting an accelerated repayment plan.
The Impact on David Robinson
Robinson had combined NHS bursaries and personal savings to fund his studies, which included clinical placements. He had also secured a tuition fee loan and a £10,538 maintenance loan. The university’s email, shared with the BBC, informed him that the SLC had reclassified his course as ineligible, requiring immediate repayment of the loans he had received.
“I was concerned, I can only repay what I can afford,” Robinson said, now back in NHS nursing. “It just doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever, and it may not instil any confidence in people wanting to undertake the course that I have done, and be a nurse.”
Broader Student Affect
The BBC reported that 22,000 students enrolled in weekend courses had been notified by the Student Loans Company (SLC) or their universities that their programs were not eligible for loans or grants. While Robinson’s course was full-time, it still fell under the new criteria, as one-year postgraduate programs are not typically funded under current regulations.
Universities affected by the change expressed concern, stating they were “extremely concerned” about the decision and considering legal action. They emphasized that supporting students would remain their priority while reviewing the situation. The SLC, meanwhile, noted that some institutions had misclassified distance learning courses and pledged to assist with “affordable repayment plans” where applicable.
Financial Strain and Support
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the issue as “not students’ fault,” blaming “incompetence or abuse of the system” by institutions. She urged universities to act swiftly to help those facing financial hardship. The university that enrolled Robinson assured students their qualifications were unaffected and “fully recognised,” while continuing to advocate for their case with the SLC.
Other Student’s Experience
Teaching assistant Lou Osborne faced a similar dilemma. She resat her GCSE exams to qualify for an education degree at the University of Sunderland. Her two-year accelerated program, which included Saturday lectures and written assessments, had been “amazing” in her eyes. Yet, this week, she received a letter stating she would have to repay a £3,500 maintenance loan immediately, with interest, and without options for extended repayment.
“We all went into a bit of a panic,” Osborne said. “We’re all working full-time and can’t afford not to work full-time. We’re paying into the economy by working and are now told, ‘You don’t deserve help because you’re part-time.'”
Osborne used the loan for books and transport, but the SLC’s decision has disrupted her plans. She argued that the funds were earned through her commitment to the program, stressing that the loans should be repaid on the original terms rather than being retroactively adjusted.
