HOW MANY ST ALBANS FAMILIES HAVE BEEN CAUGHT UP IN THE STUDENT FINANCE SHAMBLES?
September 14, 2009 10:55 AM
Sandy Walkington, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for St Albans, has slammed the total chaos of this year's student finance arrangements. As the parent of two children applying for loans, he has had first-hand experience of the problems, which will have been shared by many St Albans families with children starting university.
"I have been so frustrated by this year's student finance process," Sandy said. "Both my sons successfully registered their details on-line. But when my wife and I tried to register and input our supporting data, we both got locked in a loop of endlessly having to change passwords, not being recognised, and eventually being locked out. As for the "helpline", it has been either always engaged or a recorded announcement explains that they are overwhelmed with the demand (why am I not surprised?) and try calling later."
"Even when doing it by hard copy and sending off by post which is what we have finally done, I am struck by the complexity and impenetrability of the forms. It just seems to be designed to be as difficult and incomprehensible as possible."
"There must be many other families caught up in the same stress. It is so unfair, the Government knew that there was a record number of applications this year, they ought to have staffed up to cope and ensure that the new website platform which was supposed to make everything easier was robust," Sandy concluded.
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