Current status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 14 January 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Student Awards Agency Scotland regarding the recent audit of student loans by the agency, and what its position is on any additional loan balance adjustments discovered as a result of the audit being added to people’s loans retrospectively, including in cases where it was believed that the loan had been paid off.
The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) have not conducted an audit. They worked jointly with the Student Loans Company (SLC) to conduct a reconciliation exercise. This identified a small number of customers whose loan balances required correction. This exercise relates to the correction of historic Tuition Fee Loan data, and not the creation of new liabilities. The corrective action taken ensured that loan records accurately reflect what customers had borrowed and was due to be repaid under existing loan terms in the declaration signed by the student.
SAAS recognises the sensitivity of retrospective corrections and is working closely with SLC to ensure that affected borrowers are treated fairly, clearly informed, and supported where adjustments are required.
Scottish Ministers are accountable for the use of public resources and the way in which public funds are spent. This includes payment of student loans and repayment of outstanding balances.