No full loans for many new students
Ministers were urged to come clean about problems with the student loans system as it emerged that tens of thousands of teenagers will be starting university without full funding.
Numerous students have made complaints about delays in processing applications, as the Student Loans Company (SLC) struggles to cope with demand.
The Tories called the delays an "appalling administrative cock-up" and urged ministers to explain how they are dealing with the problems.
Most English universities start their new terms over the next two weeks.
But the SLC confirmed that between 50,000-60,000 students may not receive their full funding when they start university. The SLC said that some students who have applied to be "means-tested" will receive "basic funding" - which consists of tuition fees and basic maintenance grants and loans, as they start their course.
The balance of funding, if it is proved that they qualify for it, will follow by late October, they said. Students mainly from poorer families who are eligible for the "means-tested" extra payments are the most likely to be affected.
SLC deputy chief executive Derek Ross said the situation was not unusual, and happens every year when students submit applications late, or without the right paperwork.
"There are a number of students, who, for whatever reason, their means-tested support isn't in place. What happens is rather than say 'you won't be getting anything while this is sorted out' they get the initial payment."
Mr Ross added: "This is a positive feature of the system, it actually allows more students to have payments at the start of term than was the case five or six years ago."
Delays to processing applications have been caused by record increases in the number of applications to university, fuelled by workers returning to education in the recession, which is putting pressure on the system. Most of the complaints have revolved around problems getting through to advisors, and the SLC says it has opened up 50% more phone lines to deal with calls.
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