s allowing the UK authorities to deduct monies owed from employment income overseas. It seems that their is no escape from the first few years of hardship after graduation.

To make matters worse many students have taken on additional debt on credit cards and bank overdrafts. A recent survey in the UK found that the average student ca

In a worrying development on the subject of Student Loans, it is claimed that more students than ever are suffering financial hardship, with figures from Scotland supporting the case. The Scottish National Party recently released figures showing that the number of students who are unable to service even the interest on their loans has risen from 13,000 to 36,000 in only two years.

While the loan is obviously important in the initial stages of student life, allowing the student to cover living expenses, and educational costs, the spectre of an ever growing debt after graduation seems more daunting then ever. While the pressure of further education can be an emotional rollercoaster for many, the added pressure of how to pay off their debts when in employment has been known to “break” some students.

In a recent survey it was also claimed that 53% per cent of new graduates were not in a position to purchase their first homes after gaining employment, and a disturbing 46% of graduates believed that they would not be able to join the property ladder for another two to ten years. Under this extreme financial pressure, many students have considered moving abroad for employment, with the intention of leaving their student debts behind. Unfortunately, the government have recently negotiated agreements with many of the major overseas governments allowing the UK authorities to deduct monies owed from employment income overseas. It seems that their is no escape from the first few years of hardship after graduation.

To make matters worse many students have taken on additional debt on credit cards and bank overdrafts. A recent survey in the UK found that the average student can

n from 13,000 to 36,000 in only two years.

While the loan is obviously important in the initial stages of student life, allowing the student to cover living expenses, and educational costs, the spectre of an ever growing debt after graduation seems more daunting then ever. While the pressure of further education can be an emotional rollercoaster for many, the added pressure of how to pay off their debts when in employment has been known to “break” some students.

In a recent survey it was also claimed that 53% per cent of new graduates were not in a position to purchase their first homes after gaining employment, and a disturbing 46% of graduates believed that they would not be able to join the property ladder for another two to ten years. Under this extreme financial pressure, many students have considered moving abroad for employment, with the intention of leaving their student debts behind. Unfortunately, the government have recently negotiated agreements with many of the major overseas governments allowing the UK authorities to deduct monies owed from employment income overseas. It seems that their is no escape from the first few years of hardship after graduation.

To make matters worse many students have taken on additional debt on credit cards and bank overdrafts. A recent survey in the UK found that the average student ca

llercoaster for many, the added pressure of how to pay off their debts when in employment has been known to “break” some students.

In a recent survey it was also claimed that 53% per cent of new graduates were not in a position to purchase their first homes after gaining employment, and a disturbing 46% of graduates believed that they would not be able to join the property ladder for another two to ten years. Under this extreme financial pressure, many students have considered moving abroad for employment, with the intention of leaving their student debts behind. Unfortunately, the government have recently negotiated agreements with many of the major overseas governments allowing the UK authorities to deduct monies owed from employment income overseas. It seems that their is no escape from the first few years of hardship after graduation.

To make matters worse many students have taken on additional debt on credit cards and bank overdrafts. A recent survey in the UK found that the average student ca

would not be able to join the property ladder for another two to ten years. Under this extreme financial pressure, many students have considered moving abroad for employment, with the intention of leaving their student debts behind. Unfortunately, the government have recently negotiated agreements with many of the major overseas governments allowing the UK authorities to deduct monies owed from employment income overseas. It seems that their is no escape from the first few years of hardship after graduation.

To make matters worse many students have taken on additional debt on credit cards and bank overdrafts. A recent survey in the UK found that the average student ca

s allowing the UK authorities to deduct monies owed from employment income overseas. It seems that their is no escape from the first few years of hardship after graduation.

To make matters worse many students have taken on additional debt on credit cards and bank overdrafts. A recent survey in the UK found that the average student can expect to leave higher education with debts up to ?12,000, which is a five fold increase since the 1990s. Indeed, Barclays Bank (www.barclays.com) have predicted that if the current trend of rising student debt was to continue then the average student would be in debt to the tune of ?33,000 by 2010, after finishing a 3 year course.

In what is sure to become a political “hot” potato over the coming months, the Scottish National Party have announced plans to abolish student loans, and revert back to the tradition student grant system, which would take away a lot of today’s financial pressure. In the political world talk can be cheap, although there is no doubt that such a move would be welcomed by large grops of the electorate. Time will tell if the party has sufficient power to push the changes through.