Pendle Lib Dems are concerned about stressed "freshers" waiting for cash

Published on Wed 7th Oct 2009

Lib Dem PPC Afzal Anwar said "It's freshers' week at universities right across the north west and there is one recurring topic of conversation on everyone's lips - student loans."

Lib Dems want to scrap tuition fees

"Whether they have received them, how long it took to get through on the phone, and most importantly for some, how they are going to cope without any money."

Afzal Anwar added "Some of these fresh-faced youngsters are gripped with a fear that they will have to stump up thousands of pounds in cash unless their tuition fee loans come through in time".

University managers say that for the vast majority of students this is unlikely, but some have confirmed that undergraduates who do not get a loan or cannot show they have applied will have to find some way of showing they can pay.

Afzal said "Students have had numerous problems with the student loans service starting with the processing of parent proof of income forms. They just don't know what's happening. They have filled in forms and sent them off but have heard nothing."

"Students say it's an impossible situation. If students phone they are told to go to the website, and if they go on the website it tells you to phone. It's really confusing."

Afzal Anwar said "Some people may become the hidden victims of this crisis. There could be students who do not take up their university place because they do not think they can make it work with only the basic maintenance grant."

He says: "My biggest concern is for single parents. These people who are most in need are being hit worst by this situation. They need to be helped with their funding problems. Moving to university is stressful enough without the added pressure of having to chase up unpaid funds".