University to probe bursary error

Student Darren Williams said the letter was a "scary christmas present"

University finance chiefs are to investigate why some of their bursary students were sent erroneous letters cancelling their cash.

Darren Williams was among a number of University of Reading students who received a letter over Christmas.

The mistake led to hundreds of people backing a plan to demonstrate on the social networking website, Facebook.

The university said the letters were sent without its authority by the Student Loans Company (SLC).

However it added that it was not in possession "of all the facts" and wanted "to give the Students Loan Company the opportunity to respond".

The SLC undertakes the administration of the university's bursaries.

We are baffled and very upset on behalf of our students Jennifer Ghandhi University of Reading

A statement posted on the Facebook website on behalf of Jennifer Ghandhi, director of student services at the University of Reading, read: "The University of Reading would like to reassure students who have received letters relating to their bursaries that no bursaries have been cancelled.

"All students entitled to receive bursaries will continue to do so."

Ms Ghandhi later told BBC News: "Absolutely unequivocally we have not altered any of the bursary arrangements.

"We are baffled and very upset on behalf of our students.

"My first job on Monday morning will be to find out exactly what has happened from the people who administer the scheme on our behalf.

"There would appear to have been at least some error in the way the system has operated."

The university also apologised for "the anxiety that receipt of the letters may have caused".

Mr Williams, who already works at a supermarket 24 hours a month to supplement his bursary and loan, received his letter on 22 December.

"It was a very scary Christmas present," he said.

"I have been very lucky to get a second chance and the possibility that that was going to get snatched away scared the life out of me."