I'm a student midwife single mum, and Universal Credit classes my student loan as income. It's not income because it has to be paid back. In the old system, it wasn't classed as such. Student midwifes only get 7 weeks' holiday, which is taken up by revision for exam and huge assignments, so we don't have the holiday left to get part-time jobs, we are struggling for money. We also aren't entitled to the free child care government scheme whilst training to work for the NHS.

Student loan is not income! Universal Credit, stop taking our money.

This is ridiculous a student loan is not income as this WILL REQUIRE PAYING BACK at the end of the course, I would like an explanation into how it is INCOME as this is a LOAN to pay for course fees so surely be CLASSED as OUTGOING not INCOME

Retired

Level 4 Change Maker

You seem to have a problem there. Is it a local issue? How did you manage to have your loan money reported to UC as 'income'? It certainly is not. Student Loan Company should not be reporting this as income to SSD, as it IS NOT INCOME. It is a commercial loan, at a horrific interest rate I suspect. You could take the loan from anyone, and if you have taken out a bank loan instead, then this would not be counted as 'income'. Indeed, your loan interest should be counted as 'expenses', and potentially increase your benefit amounts! Have you asked a Union to help with this? It seems an excess cost to involve an accountant, but maybe someone with experience of accounting could help?

Health and Social Care

This is complete balderdash from the DWP, this is in no way classed as income. It is a complete cockup by your loan provider in supplying your details to the DWP or the DWP are pulling the wool over your eyes and pocketing the money!I would seek clarification from your loan provider or seek guidance from you student Union Rep ASAP

I had this problem too and it took time for UC to sort it so I'm now in debt with them and short £55 a month as they left it to hit £5K before fixing it 🙃 their error has left me penniless some months

Retail

Wrong! It's disgusting that your losing UC on a LOAN that will be repaid. It's NOT income!

Mental Health

All students are automatically members of the Students' Union at their college. please take this up urgently with your Students' Union and the SU HQ office. As commented by many this is a loan, not income. Unless you have been granted a 'bursary', which is non-repayable. The SU will take this up, but will need to have all cases reported to them to be able to act. Hope we can get this done soon. Best wishes