Students at a number of colleges have experienced delays to their maintenance loan payments. In emails seen by Varsity, Student Finance England told students that their date of payment would be “delayed by a few days.”

Students from Hughes Hall, Trinity College, Downing College, Christ’s College, and Churchill College have received emails from Student Finance England informing them of payment delays.

The emails stated that the “reason for the delay is because we’re still waiting for confirmation from your university or college that you’ve registered/enrolled with them” and explained: “we can’t pay you until that has been confirmed.

“Universities and colleges usually confirm registration very close to, or shortly after, the first day of term, so we expect to get it very soon.”

One student who has experienced a delayed payment told Varsity: “it’s frustrating as a student who relies on part-time jobs during both term time and holidays to have the student loan payment delayed.

“If this is the fault of individual colleges, it’s disappointing, if not surprising, that they didn’t register returning students in time,” they continued.

Another student explained: “the uncertainty and lack of control is the worst thing”.

They stated: “I’ve been told my payment is delayed but haven’t been given a new expected date. It says on Moodle that my money won’t be released until I have my tutor meeting but my tutor wouldn’t let me book a slot before Friday which doesn’t seem fair to be honest.”

Students at Churchill received an email from the College’s tutorial office on Monday 3 October, which explained they were aware that a number of students had been notified of the delay. The email stated that “payments are usually made within 3 working days of the start of Full term after the college have confirmed that students are in attendance.

“This happened today, so please be assured that you should receive your loan by the end of the week, there is no delay.” 

Speaking to Varsity, a spokesperson for Hughes Hall said that the College was not aware of unresolved loan payment delays, stating they had “received a small number of enquiries about SFE payments which we understand are all now resolved.

“Hughes Hall’s new student induction and registration took place on Saturday 1 October therefore we were able to confirm students’ official enrolment with SFE the next working day (Monday 3rd).”

The College said: “our students have all been updated accordingly, however, should any member of college have concerns, financial or otherwise, they are encouraged to contact our tutorial team who are always happy to help.” 

Meanwhile, the Master of Downing College, Alan Bookbinder, told Varsity that the College pays out loans to students as soon as they confirm their attendance and claimed: “they know they need to do this and it’s very straightforward – either online, or when they meet their Tutor, or in person in the tutorial office”.

Varsity contacted the University of Cambridge, Trinity, Christ’s, and Churchill for comment.