If you are a student who is taught exclusively on the weekend many of you will already be in receipt of communication from both The Student Loans Company and Canterbury Christ Church University with regards to the classification of weekend teaching as ‘distance learning’ and how it impacts your ability to access maintenance loans, and the implications of what they are calling ‘overpayments’.
We recognise this must be deeply upsetting for you and understand the impact this will have on your day-to-day lives and, as your Students’ Union that is independent from the University, are doing all we can to make sure you get a fair resolution to this. Our purpose is to support and represent you.
We believe the actions of the Student Loans Company and the decision-making of the Department for Education are unfair and will have a significant negative impact on you, as many of you rely on the maintenance loan to support yourselves and your families whilst you study. We are speaking to numerous institutions and sector bodies to lobby for your cause and believe this decision needs immediate rethinking, with a solution that does not adversely affect students who have entered into these agreements in good faith.
What are we doing, with others, to help?
- Christ Church Students’ Union has been in regular contact with the National Union of Students (NUS), who are working on a number of levels and are in discussion with the Government to raise your concerns and encourage a more favourable outcome.
- NUS are also seeking legal advice as to if this action can be at least paused to permit more time for a resolution to be sought.
- NUS also have launched a campaign against these actions on their website, and their petition to the Government. We encourage you to sign it - over 10,000 people just like you have already got involved.
- We will shortly be writing to the Secretary of State for Education on your behalf, as well as your MPs, and the Office for Students.
What are we doing with CCCU to help?
We are independent of the University, but we work closely with them in your interest. This past week we have been lobbying Canterbury Christ Church University to:
- Ensure clear and frequent communication with you.
- Provide you options for your future, that are fully and clearly explained, and being given appropriate time to make an informed decision.
- Be ready to provide direct financial support in the event your next maintenance loan instalment does not arrive.
- Provide your Students' Union with the contact details of all affected students - which they are resisting - to help us to help you.
We know Canterbury Christ Church University are also challenging the Department for Education’s decision and requesting the reinstatement of maintenance loan eligibility.
We will keep you updated on a regular basis, if you have concerns, please let us know. You can also contact us via weekend@ccsu.co.uk.