News

We need a solution to fund part-time students

The Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance has just started taking evidence. Its findings will reshape the financial context of higher education over the coming decade

Open Eye: A lay view of history

'Seven Ages of Britain' began on BBC1 on Sunday. Yvonne Cook talks to presenter, David Dimbleby

Inside News

Introducing the winner of The Independent's Best Adventure In The World competition!

Thursday, 4 February 2010

Last year Tourism Queensland, Qantas, Big Earth and The Independent teamed up to offer one aspiring travel writer the kick start to your gap year and career, And from hundreds of excellent entries the winner was chosen as

Paul Duffield from London

The 50 best stationery

Saturday, 9 January 2010

From colourful pencil sets and fine fountain pens, to fluorescent highlighters and designer diaries, Andy Sharman selects the coolest kit for the new year

Loans still delayed, pot noodle saves the day

Thursday, 12 November 2009

Thousands of UK students have still to receive their loans from the Student Loans Company (SLC), even though they are more than a month into term. Latest figures show that 109,000 students, with approved application forms, have still not seen any of the money they are due. Of these, 31,000 loan applications are still being processed, 39,000 are waiting for further information from students and 39,000 have only received basic funding, as their applications have only had a provisional assessment. With the increase of financial hardship during the recession, spurring an increase in applications, should the SLC not have expected a greater number of student loan requests?