Committee publication · Correspondence · 19 May 2026
Letter from Office for Students on weekend maintenance loans, dated 12.05.26
From: Education Committee
Summary
Office for Students Chair Edward Peck responds to the Education Committee's inquiry into maintenance loan eligibility for weekend-only students. The OfS outlines its regulatory oversight of the crisis, confirms it was not formally consulted on the DfE's repayment decision, and sets expectations for provider support. It acknowledges regulatory gaps around misuse of Student Loans Company funding and signals intent to pursue legislative reform alongside DfE colleagues.
Key findings
- OfS was not aware of material ambiguity over weekend-only course eligibility until February 2026, when providers proactively flagged incorrect course uploads to DfE or SLC following a December 2025 Secretary of State letter.
- OfS was not formally consulted on DfE's decision to pursue student repayments, but shared concerns about implications for students and providers in subsequent multi-agency meetings.
- OfS does not regulate SLC financial support provision or SLC guidance on course data submission; cannot comment on clarity or consistency of guidance over time.
- OfS expects providers to offer affected students hardship support, compensation in lieu of maintenance loans, or refunds; students transferring to eligible courses should receive ongoing support; students remaining on weekend-only courses will lose future SLC funding with repayment terms still outstanding.
- OfS identifies legislative reform as necessary to close regulatory gaps preventing full mitigation of SLC funding misuse; has established triumvirate information-sharing arrangements with DfE and SLC since 2024 and strengthened initial and ongoing registration conditions.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Professor Edward Peck CBE, Helen Hayes MP, Office for Students, Department for Education, Student Loans Company, Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education, Rowena Rowley
Notable line
“It is regrettable that affected students have been put in an extremely difficult situation through no fault of their own.”
Key Quotes
“… from misuse. However, the OfS does not regulate the provision of financial support from the SLC to students”
“While the OfS was not formally consulted on the DfE's decision to pursue repayments for affected students itself, the proposed approach to implementing this decision was discussed through regular meetings with DfE, SLC, OfS and OIA.”
“Despite the OfS's new regulatory interventions and the new information sharing working arrangements, we believe without legislative reform a gap will remain that does not allow the OfS, DfE and SLC to fully minimise risks to the misuse of SLC funding.”
“If students do not agree to the change, then our expectation is that you will allow them to continue on the weekend course and if this is not possible or they wish to withdraw, offer refunds and compensation in compliance with consumer protection law.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗