For students throughout the entire world, the student loan holds short term joy alongside long term anxiety. The loans themselves are the main form of direct government support for students in higher education in the UK. Money is loaned to students at a subsidized rate that helps contribute towards maintenance costs as well as tuition fees.

The whole notion is seen to financially support as much as possible, trying not to deter potential students who may be put off by the economic restraints associated with university.

The current system in place however does have its critics, with the maintenance loan often becoming an issue with a large number of students whose parents earn more than the average amount.

Many view university, or higher education as the perfect platform to mature, both academically and personally. This learning curve includes financial dependency for the majority of students, who are encouraged to use their loans wisely in what is fast becoming an economically strained society.

The value of the maintenance loan has severely increased over the last twenty years, with the average annual sum standing at £390 per student in 1990/91, when only 28% of eligible students accepted their loans. 1995/96 saw an increase to £1,250, whilst the turn of the millennium saw an even larger increase, with the annual average reaching £2,900. This academic year has seen the highest average at £3,700 per year, or just over £1,200 per term.

The whole idea behind a maintenance loan is to cover accommodation fees and imperative living essentials. However following on from last weeks article which focused on the party culture in the UK, this modern society we live in is failing to grasp what is viewed by many as one of universities, if not life’s fundamental learning stations.

More and more parents are naively agreeing to pay their children’s accommodation fees, which in turn leaves the said student in possession of the entire maintenance loan to spend how they wish. With a figure of over £3,000 million a year spent on student loans throughout the United Kingdom, it is obvious that in many cases this can amount to a lot of money.

Even though many parents feel they are providing beneficial financial support to their children, in many cases, individuals are left with over £1,000 a term, to spend how they wish. With a term being no more than a few months long, students who have this luxury are able to live fairly comfortably, a standard or living not associated with student life.

The excessive amounts of money available to students despite the stereotypical beliefs surrounding modern students is astonishing, which leads onto last week’s article that highlighted the party culture, excessive drinking and illegal drug taking that has become accustomed at many universities throughout the United Kingdom.

The stereotypical views associated with students, in these particular cases, are down to their own doing, and lack of financial responsibility. To be presented with such a large sum of money at the start of term and then to reach the final week’s and be well into your overdraft is an unnecessary deterrent that is easily avoidable.

Although it’s often said that years spent at University are the best of your life, this current party culture seems to take this term too literally which in turn is seen to jeopardize their academic studies and financial stability.

Although this financial ‘blessing’ doesn’t lend itself to every student in the UK, those who may be considered unfortunate in the short term will definitely benefit from their style of living, as they work hard to make the money they need to survive, developing good values and even better morals.

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FICO’s quarterly survey of bank risk professionals found growing concern for the stability of the student loan market and deepening fears about the nation’s housing sector. The survey, conducted for FICO by the Professional Risk Managers’ International Association (PRMIA), shows that bankers expect delinquencies on most types of consumer loans to rise, balances on credit cards to grow, and global economic forces to put increasing pressure on the U.S. economy.

Delinquencies on student loans causing concern

Student loan debt now exceeds credit card debt in the U.S., with experts estimating that $750 billion in student loans are outstanding. In FICO’s survey, 67 percent of respondents expected delinquencies on these loans to rise. That is 19 percentage points higher than last quarter. Only eight percent of respondents expected a decline in delinquencies.

“Evidence is mounting that student loans could be the next trouble spot for lenders,” said Dr. Andrew Jennings, chief analytics officer at FICO and head of FICO Labs. “A significant rise in defaults on student loans would impact lenders as well as taxpayers, who could be facing big losses due to these defaults. Our survey results underscore the ongoing challenges that millions of American households face as they try to cope with their debt during these uncertain times.”

Global concerns impacting U.S. economy

Survey respondents were also asked about global issues that could put pressure on the U.S. economic recovery. When asked about the most likely trigger for a possible double dip in the U.S. economy, the Eurozone debt crisis was cited most often (38.8 percent), just edging out U.S. government policies (38.4 percent). Another 19 percent are most concerned about the lack of spending and investment by U.S. companies.

Survey respondents were also asked about the economic growth of China as it relates to the future strength of U.S. consumers. Sixty-five percent of respondents felt that the global influence of Chinese consumers would overtake that of U.S. consumers within 5-10 years. By contrast, 28 percent felt that U.S. consumers would continue to wield more influence for another 20 years or longer.

“Whether it’s debt trouble in Europe or economic growth in Asia, there are significant implications for the near-term and long-term strength and health of the U.S. economy,” said Jennings. “There are risks, challenges and opportunities all around us. To compete in this increasingly complex global environment, we’re seeing more U.S. companies embrace innovative analytic technologies to help them understand and navigate the global playing field.”

Consumer credit seen weakening, led by housing concerns

Regarding mortgages, 47 percent of respondents expected mortgage delinquencies to rise and 13 percent expected delinquencies to decrease. That is slightly more pessimistic than last quarter. When asked about credit cards, 45 percent expected delinquencies to rise while 21 percent expected a decline.

That is also more pessimistic than last quarter and another sign of deteriorating confidence among bankers. In addition, 54 percent of respondents expected credit card balances to increase. These expected increases are likely due to higher spending by some consumers and financial stress for other consumers who are unable to pay down their balances.

Auto lending had a fairly balanced outlook with 33 percent of respondents expecting an increase in delinquencies, 22 percent expecting a decrease, and 45 percent expecting no change in the level of delinquencies.

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