The department is continuing to work closely with both the Student Loans Company (SLC) and providers on this issue.

To provide clarity for affected students, we instructed the SLC to recover loan payments through the student loan system in line with existing loan terms and to pause any action on recovery of targeted grant funding until at least September while we review the position.

Around 85% of affected students have now transferred to an eligible in-attendance model and are receiving the maintenance support they are entitled to.

We have been clear that providers should support affected students, including through appropriate advice and guidance, hardship support, and signposting to relevant sources of information during this period.

The department understands the anxiety caused by students affected by the misclassification of weekend-only courses by providers, which has resulted in students receiving maintenance support they are not entitled to. We have been clear that providers should put in place appropriate hardship support so that students receive the help they need during this period. To provide clarity for students, we have instructed the Student Loans Company to recover loan payments through the student loan system in line with existing loan terms, and to pause any action on recovery of targeted grant funding until at least September while we review the position.

All students may volunteer, provided they are still able to prioritise their studies.

Voluntary work involves working under a contract, unlike volunteering where you give your time freely. Only students with permission to work can do voluntary work. Students on a part-time course are not permitted to work, and so cannot do voluntary work.

This is set out in the Student and Child Student caseworker guidance, which is published on Gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/points-based-system-student-route.

As part of our work to protect public money in higher education (HE), we take swift and proportionate action to identify fraud and error in the student finance system.

Where fraud or error has been identified, students may be required to repay the funding they have received in error. The Student Loans Company (SLC) will agree affordable and flexible repayment plans with students, with low or deferred repayments where students face hardship, so that no one is asked to repay more than they can reasonably afford.

Where the fault is due to provider error, we expect education providers to put in place appropriate hardship support so that students receive the help they need.

This is essential to safeguard students and taxpayers’ money and ensure the system operates fairly for all.

To provide clarity for students affected by the weekend course issue, we have instructed the SLC to recover loan payments through the student loan system in line with existing loan terms, and to pause any action on recovery of targeted grant funding until at least September while we review the position.

The SLC is also working closely with providers who have misclassified weekend courses to identify students transferring onto eligible courses and the department is working to understand the number of students who will remain on distance learning courses and so do not receive additional maintenance grants and loans (in addition to tuition fees loans, and Disabled Students’ Allowance where relevant).

As part of our work to reinforce protections to public money, we are strengthening oversight and assurance to ensure course classifications are applied consistently, transparently, and in a way that cannot be misused or inadvertently misapplied in ways that mislead students and risk public funds. The Office for Students (OfS) is looking at this issue closely and will consider whether further regulatory engagement or action is required. Additionally, the department is reviewing the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2011 in relation to attendance and distance-learning classifications and will update the sector as this work progresses.

Much of the affected provision is delivered under franchise. This is a part of the sector where the department and the OfS have highlighted significant concerns in terms of oversight and exploitation and where we are already tightening oversight. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, wrote to the HE sector on 9th December 2025 setting out her expectations to identify abuse of the HE system and provide students and taxpayers with assurance that money is being well spent.

As part of our work to protect public money in higher education (HE), we take swift and proportionate action to identify fraud and error in the student finance system.

Where fraud or error has been identified, students may be required to repay the funding they have received in error. The Student Loans Company (SLC) will agree affordable and flexible repayment plans with students, with low or deferred repayments where students face hardship, so that no one is asked to repay more than they can reasonably afford.

Where the fault is due to provider error, we expect education providers to put in place appropriate hardship support so that students receive the help they need.

This is essential to safeguard students and taxpayers’ money and ensure the system operates fairly for all.

To provide clarity for students affected by the weekend course issue, we have instructed the SLC to recover loan payments through the student loan system in line with existing loan terms, and to pause any action on recovery of targeted grant funding until at least September while we review the position.

The SLC is also working closely with providers who have misclassified weekend courses to identify students transferring onto eligible courses and the department is working to understand the number of students who will remain on distance learning courses and so do not receive additional maintenance grants and loans (in addition to tuition fees loans, and Disabled Students’ Allowance where relevant).

As part of our work to reinforce protections to public money, we are strengthening oversight and assurance to ensure course classifications are applied consistently, transparently, and in a way that cannot be misused or inadvertently misapplied in ways that mislead students and risk public funds. The Office for Students (OfS) is looking at this issue closely and will consider whether further regulatory engagement or action is required. Additionally, the department is reviewing the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2011 in relation to attendance and distance-learning classifications and will update the sector as this work progresses.

Much of the affected provision is delivered under franchise. This is a part of the sector where the department and the OfS have highlighted significant concerns in terms of oversight and exploitation and where we are already tightening oversight. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, wrote to the HE sector on 9th December 2025 setting out her expectations to identify abuse of the HE system and provide students and taxpayers with assurance that money is being well spent.

As of 20 May 2026, the department is aware of 24,689 students that have been affected by the issue of higher education providers incorrectly classifying weekend-only courses on the Student Loans Company’s (SLC) course management system.

The number of affected students is based on the latest data submitted by providers to the SLC. This number may differ from previously reported figures due to updated data submitted by providers.

The SLC and the Office for Students are working closely with providers to ensure students are given the necessary support and advice, including access to hardship support where appropriate

To provide clarity for students, we have instructed the SLC to recover loan payments through the student loan system in line with existing loan terms, and to pause any action on recovery of targeted grant funding until at least September while we review the position.

As of 20 May 2026, the department is aware of 24,689 students that have been affected by the issue of higher education providers incorrectly classifying weekend-only courses on the Student Loans Company’s (SLC) course management system.

The number of affected students is based on the latest data submitted by providers to the SLC. This number may differ from previously reported figures due to updated data submitted by providers.

The SLC and the Office for Students are working closely with providers to ensure students are given the necessary support and advice, including access to hardship support where appropriate

To provide clarity for students, we have instructed the SLC to recover loan payments through the student loan system in line with existing loan terms, and to pause any action on recovery of targeted grant funding until at least September while we review the position.

The government recognises the uncertainty being faced by students affected by the misclassification of weekend courses and that the support offered has not, in all cases, yet been delivered with the consistency or urgency these circumstances require by their institutions.

We have therefore instructed the Student Loan Company to recover overpaid loan funding through the student loan repayment system as normal, and to pause recoveries of overpaid grants until at least September while we consider next steps.

We have been clear that the responsibility for the classification of courses for student finance purposes rests with higher education providers. The department provides clear guidance on eligibility requirements, including the distinction between in‑attendance and weekend‑only courses. We are continuing to insist that all new maintenance funding for students enrolled on ineligible weekend-only courses must stop.

The Office for Students is also looking closely at this issue, and we expect it to take robust action where necessary to address any regulatory breaches.

In parallel, we are strengthening oversight and assurance to ensure course classifications are applied consistently, transparently, and in a way that cannot be misused or inadvertently misapplied in ways that misleads students and risk public funds.

The government recognises the uncertainty being faced by students affected by the misclassification of weekend courses and that the support offered has not, in all cases, yet been delivered with the consistency or urgency these circumstances require by their institutions.

We have therefore instructed the Student Loan Company to recover overpaid loan funding through the student loan repayment system as normal, and to pause recoveries of overpaid grants until at least September while we consider next steps.

We have been clear that the responsibility for the classification of courses for student finance purposes rests with higher education providers. The department provides clear guidance on eligibility requirements, including the distinction between in‑attendance and weekend‑only courses. We are continuing to insist that all new maintenance funding for students enrolled on ineligible weekend-only courses must stop.

The Office for Students is also looking closely at this issue, and we expect it to take robust action where necessary to address any regulatory breaches.

In parallel, we are strengthening oversight and assurance to ensure course classifications are applied consistently, transparently, and in a way that cannot be misused or inadvertently misapplied in ways that misleads students and risk public funds.

The government recognises the uncertainty being faced by students affected by the misclassification of weekend courses and that the support offered has not, in all cases, yet been delivered with the consistency or urgency these circumstances require by their institutions.

We have therefore instructed the Student Loan Company to recover overpaid loan funding through the student loan repayment system as normal, and to pause recoveries of overpaid grants until at least September while we consider next steps.

We have been clear that the responsibility for the classification of courses for student finance purposes rests with higher education providers. The department provides clear guidance on eligibility requirements, including the distinction between in‑attendance and weekend‑only courses. We are continuing to insist that all new maintenance funding for students enrolled on ineligible weekend-only courses must stop.

The Office for Students is also looking closely at this issue, and we expect it to take robust action where necessary to address any regulatory breaches.

In parallel, we are strengthening oversight and assurance to ensure course classifications are applied consistently, transparently, and in a way that cannot be misused or inadvertently misapplied in ways that misleads students and risk public funds.

The government recognises the uncertainty being faced by students affected by the misclassification of weekend courses and that the support offered has not, in all cases, yet been delivered with the consistency or urgency these circumstances require by their institutions.

We have therefore instructed the Student Loan Company to recover overpaid loan funding through the student loan repayment system as normal, and to pause recoveries of overpaid grants until at least September while we consider next steps.

We have been clear that the responsibility for the classification of courses for student finance purposes rests with higher education providers. The department provides clear guidance on eligibility requirements, including the distinction between in‑attendance and weekend‑only courses. We are continuing to insist that all new maintenance funding for students enrolled on ineligible weekend-only courses must stop.

The Office for Students is also looking closely at this issue, and we expect it to take robust action where necessary to address any regulatory breaches.

In parallel, we are strengthening oversight and assurance to ensure course classifications are applied consistently, transparently, and in a way that cannot be misused or inadvertently misapplied in ways that misleads students and risk public funds.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.