I was promised a £16,400 tuition loan but all they gave me was 50 quid

A performing arts second year who was promised a £16,400 tuition loan had her dreams shattered after she received just £50. 

Brooke Hayes, 18, was over the moon when she was offered the substantial loan so she could continue her course in musical theatre.

But the Student Loans Company withdrew their offer—and handed Brooke a paltry £50 as an apology.

Now she won’t be able to follow her lifelong dream of studying theatre because she can’t pay her course fees.

Distraught Brooke, of Burgess Hill, West Sussex said: “In reality, £50 covers two days of fees at college.

“I’m insulted that they’ve given me so little money.

“I was promised something—they can’t just take it away.

“I don’t understand how they’re allowed to put students in this position.

“It’s been so stressful trying to sort this out on top of being at college full time.”

Student Loans Company claim Brooke’s course was re-designated a Higher National Diploma, so they weren’t obliged to pay for her education.

Brooke’s old headmaster at Brighton Academy, Tim Newman was furious at the decision.

He said: “It’s a moral outrage that they can do this.

“Even if they can technically get away with it, morally they shouldn’t.

“They have a complete disregard for people’s futures.”

Brooke’s furious mother Jayne Hayes added: “My daughter can’t complete this course, which is her life’s ambition, without this funding.”

The Government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills decides whether institutions can be designated for student funding.

But it is believed in this case Brighton Academy failed to reapply for designation.

In normal situations the Student Loans Company continues to fund existing students when designation is pulled if they have started already their courses.

A spokesman said: “When Miss Hayes’ application was processed it was not identified that designation had been removed for new students to her course for the 2014/15 academic year and funding was awarded in error.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and have offered Ms Hayes a compensatory payment of £50.”

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