million+ comment on report into student finance delivery
Responding to Sir Deian Hopkin’s review of the delivery of financial support to students by the Student Loans Company, Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of the university think-tank million+ said: “This Report confirms that students and universities were correct in their assessment of the failings of the Student Loan Company. The SLC clearly failed in its responsibility to deliver the Customer First Programme which was intended to provide a one-stop shop service for all students applying for loans and grants to support their studies at university.
“The wide-ranging recommendations are to be welcomed but many of them are basic. It is disappointing, for example, that the SLC has had to be told the obvious and that a responsive student service requires additional well-trained staff to be available during peak periods. It also remains of huge concern that some disabled students and students entitled to childcare grants are still waiting for a final assessment.
“The report is correct in its conclusion that some universities have lent well in excess of £100,000. While it was never the intention of this review to address any future problems which institutions may face in recouping loans from students who were left without support, universities will certainly expect to be compensated in the event that they cannot recoup these loans in full.
Universities which offer courses starting in the early part of 2010 will want an assurance that the delay in opening applications for 2010/11, agreed by Ministers to give the SLC the opportunity to put its house in order, will not disadvantage students intending to commence study at university in January and February 2010. The litmus test for the SLC will be the company’s capacity to implement these robust recommendations in full and to a deadline which ensures that students and universities are not disadvantaged in the future.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- Professor Sir Deian Hopkin’s review into the delivery of student finance is available at http://www.bis.gov.uk/hopkin
- For more information please contact Victoria Mills on 0207 7171655 or 07900 277819