Letter: Student loan delays sorted out

Sir: The Student Loans Company has acknowledged and apologised for the problems which resulted from the introduction of a revised application procedure for loans in the autumn of 1994.

Your report (22 March) fails to put these problems into perspective. The delays - whilst undeniably serious - affected a small proportion of students. The problems were short-lived: they were fully resolved by 15 January 1995. Around 93 per cent of students who applied for a loan in academic year 1994/95 had their applications dealt with in a timely fashion.

The difficulties have now been fully overcome, following the introduction of an improved procedure for 1995/96. This followed the internal review to which you refer.

Colin Ward,

Chief Executive

Student Loans Company Ltd

Glasgow