By Beds SU
Monday, 20 May 2024
Why were payment dates changed?
It is our understanding that a tightening of protocols at the Student Loans Company (SLC) resulted in changed payment dates for students on Nursing and Midwifery courses who – due to the hands-on nature of their course – are still at Uni much later in the academic year than many other students.
The SLC distributes maintenance loans to qualifying students which can then be spent on whatever students need to help them dedicate their time to their studies: for some students this is transport to Uni and learning resources, and for others it covers basic needs such as rent, bills, and childcare. This year, payment dates moved from September, January, April to September, January, June.
How are students being supported?
When students realised, they raised this with their teaching team, and Beds SU via their elected Reps. Students shared their concerns of financial hardship as they needed to stretch their second payment for two extra months: students with caring responsibilities and childcare costs to pay over this period were particularly concerned.
Since students bought their concerns to us, in January, our Sabbaticals Officers and staff have been working hard to try and resolve this issue for the benefit of the students involved.
This has included communicating with all students on these courses about the Access to Learning Fund and by the Easter break, nearly half of the cohort had applied for crucial hardship funding to support them in continuing with their studies.
Students and Beds SU were initially led to believe that payment dates could be changed, but upon further interrogation this was found to be impossible. Unfortunately, this was not communicated to students in a timely manner: students told us that this uncertainty led to additional strain on their wellbeing. After representations from Beds SU, the Head of School sent a clarification to all students on Monday 13th May, which we hope has provided some closure. We understand that the Faculty is exploring the possibility of changing the structure of the course moving forward, which would again change the payment dates: the Faculty is currently consulting with students on this.
Where can students get further support and advice?
A number of students have chosen to exercise their right to complain about the delay in communication and a lack of clarity on this issue and are being supported by Beds SU’s free and independent Advice Service: if you have been affected by the same or similar issues, please get in touch with us at help@bedssu.co.uk to speak to an Advisor.
We continue to recommend that any home* student facing difficulties making their money stretch apply for the Access to Learning Fund. This is a private process that is not notified to anyone else, and if your application is successful this is money that you do not need to pay back. Read more about it on the University website. Beds SU Advice Service can also help you to explore your options, independently of the University.
Beds SU would like to thank all of the student representatives who brought this matter to our attention and continued to be a liaison between students and staff throughout this, volunteering their time to try and make positive change for their classmates.
*International students should contact InternationalStudentSupport@beds.ac.uk to access support.