Universities and
Science Minister David Willetts urged students to apply online now
for their student loans and grants during a visit to the
processing centre in Darlington today. Mr Willetts saw for himself
how Student Finance England is getting ready for the busy summer period.
David Willetts said:
“Enrolling at university is an exciting time for students and a
very busy time for Student Finance England. Applying as soon as
possible will help students avoid unnecessary stress.
"I am here today in Darlington looking at
what's being done to ensure that students and parents
don’t suffer a repeat of last year's unacceptable
service.
“Student Finance England is getting ready for the peak processing
season, and has put processes in place to ensure the service this
summer should be significantly better.
"To be sure of receiving their full entitlement,
students and their parents should focus on getting applications
completed online and on time.”
As well as the recent changes at Student Finance England to
strengthen leadership and improve processing arrangements,
investment in new technology is now starting to make the process
easier for customers:
· improved links with the Immigration and Passport Service mean
that identity can be validated without most customers having to
send in passports;
· there is now a more user-friendly online application process;
· students should apply as soon as possible - but we know that
things can change - so later this summer there will be a new,
simple online process for students to tell SFE their circumstances
have changed;
· from next year most parents will no longer need to send in
evidence to prove household income as this will be validated
directly with HMRC; and
· next year students will have a comprehensive system for
tracking the progress of their applications online.
Interim Chairman of the Student Loans Company, Professor Sir
Deian Hopkin said:
“The next few days are very important for students as the
deadline for applications approaches and we want to encourage them
to apply online as quickly as possible to ensure that we can
deliver funding to as many students as possible at the start of
term this year.
“We are determined to do all we can to avoid the problems of last
summer. There is a lot of work going on to implement improvements
with the urgency that is needed. We hope that the Minister will
come away reassured that we will deliver a good service this year.”
This financial year Student Finance England is expecting to make
loans and grants for tuition fees and living costs worth up to £7
billion to up to 1 million students studying at English
universities.
Notes to editors:
1. David Willetts was making his first visit to the Student
Finance England processing and call centre in Darlington today –
which is run by the Student Loans Company (SLC). He met with the
recently appointed interim SLC chairman, Professor Sir Deian
Hopkin, the interim CEO, Ed Lester, and toured the facilities.
2. The deadline for means-tested applications for the academic
year 2010/11 is 25 June 2010.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Emma Griffiths
Phone: 020 7215 5982
Emma.Griffiths@bis.gsi.gov.uk