VILLAIN: The Student Loans Company

[ambersalamander]

Bloody bastards!

These wonderful student loan giving people have decided that I earn enough to give them their money back. I don't, but they're taking it anyway. This is not what I'm complaining about; I do owe them the money after all. It's what I've just discovered by looking at my statement.

The total amount they took off me over the last year was 470.00.

BUT

Interest added to my account: 317.49.

I don't remember being informed that I'd be paying almost as much in interest as I'm able to pay back. Does this mean I'm doomed to pay back my loan forever? Oh yeah- this is how they make their money, the bloody bastards, preying on poor students who have no alternative

So I've worked hard, lost more than I can really afford (that amount of money would see me safe from threatening bank letters at least) only to have paid back a measly 152.51. Well excuse me for thinking I'd paid back the best part of five hundred quid! I can't believe they're taking 3 times as much off me in interest as I'm actually paying back. And now I'm studying again and have no money to pay my tuition fees, the bloody bastards.

I still have to pay them 11307.53.

Or is it three times that?

[medibot]

Sly bastards.

They won't even give me my money

[amberaleman]

I'm extremely grateful that I was a university student in the days when we got grants rather than loans, and didn't have to pay the tuition fees.

Nowadays it seems that unless you can walk straight from university into a City job, you face being screwed by the *ankers for years to come.

The system stinks.

[medibot]

Yes, well, it's what will happen when the country is run by numpties who think 50% of people should go to university when quite honestly for most people, they shouldn't, don't need to and/or probably don't deserve to either.

[ambersalamander]

Don't forget that a lot of people don't want to. I know an awful lot of people who didn't go because they didn't want to. They could have done, but chose not to because it wasn't for them.

[medibot]

Good point

[Col ISIHAC.]

ambersalamander said:

Don't forget that a lot of people don't want to. I know an awful lot of people who didn't go because they didn't want to. They could have done, but chose not to because it wasn't for them.

Good point.

I wouldn't have got where I am today, if I'd spent three years at Uni!

Doesn't bear thinking about.

Have worked in the public sector for more than 20 years, and had dealings with all sorts of incomings and outgoings income related and otherwise, as well as with provision of education from 16 upwards. I have my own views on student loans, the further education system in the UK, the amount of added value a degree offers a prospective job seeker, and the standard of education offered.

These will stay with me.

Wouldn't want to depress anyone.

[DJhinckley]

Let's not forget that the Student loan is only repayable after the loanee earns a fair whack of income. If you don't get a high paid job then you don't pay back your loan. My wife has two loans hanging over her head, but doesn't pay a penny back, hasn't paid a penny back in the last 15 years and probably never will.

There was one occasion when the Loan Company started taking money, as seems the case with you Sal, but it was because they had f*cked up her deferment documents. She simply stopped teh direct debit straight away and contested the decision. It seems they had simply lost the documents and started taking payments anyway. A bit of arguing later and they were soon put straight.

[ambersalamander]

Thanks for pointing that out DJ- I think that might be something I should do especially as I've just started studying again. Last year I earned about 15.5K after tax; I live alone and a third of my income last year went towards paying my rent, not to mention household bills, council tax etc which aren't included, so it's already difficult hence the bank being constantly at my back and trying to get me to take a credit card (no way Jose!)

What was the first step your wife took towards challenging the SLC?

[frankiegth]

Never understood student loans.

























Who'd want to borrow a student I'll get me coat

[ambersalamander]

I wouldn't mind borrowing one if it did all my housework and everything I told it to do.
















Hmmm.... come here a minute would you Martello?

[frankiegth]

I'm sure if you ask nicely you could get a student to do pretty much what you want .

[ambersalamander]

As long as you feed and water it!

I see there's now an advert at the top of this page for dodgy Career Development Loans! Having tried and failed to fill in an application for one for the last hour or so, I'm not too impressed!

[stretfordendling©]

Sorry to hear of your troubles Sal *Hugs*

Its the one thing thats put me off going to Uni is the student debt. Looking back now, considering my family declared bankruptcy last month its the best decision i've made since buying a Hayes Season ticket

[bonehead]

Don't talk to me about student loans!

The ex-mrs bonehead went to Liverpool Uni as a mature *cough* student in the mid-90s and took out stacks of loans. Some were for good reasons - like re-carpetting the house. Some were for bad reasons - like paying off the £1,200 phone bill she ran up in a quarter to one number in Sweden. She now lives in Sweden. Infer whatever you want from that. And I still get letters/phone calls from Student Loans (Mafia) Inc trying to get money back from her.

Maybe that's your answer, ms iguana! Run off to Sweden!*

*First ensuring medibot films all Sutton games for you