Students have accumulated nearly £500 million in 'hidden debts' to UK universities, according to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request. The debts include library fines, unpaid accommodation fees, and support loans, with approximately 180,000 students and graduates owing a total of £486 million, averaging around £2,650 each.
Tim Schwarz, a spokesperson for Vanquis, said that living costs are putting a strain on students' finances, leading them to seek extra support from their universities. He noted that these additional debts do not disappear upon graduation and can affect credit scores if left unpaid, unlike government-backed loans which are more flexible.
A spokesperson for Universities UK highlighted that maintenance loans have not kept pace with rising costs, and called on the government to commit to loans that better track the cost of living. The Office for Students stated that universities are autonomous and have their own debt recovery processes, but should act sensitively and proportionately.
