Aibu to ask, how long ago did you graduate, and how much have you got left to pay?

[Mannerscostnothing84]

I totally realise this is all relative. I am just curious as to whether anyone gets theirs paid off in a reasonable amount of time.

I am sick to death of seeing it come out my pay, and have made some over payments in the past to clear it faster.

I earn a decent salary, but have had 2 years maternity leave so no payments made during those periods.

I graduated 11 years ago and still owe £5500 !

I graduate this year, I will owe 48k....before they start adding interest

I will never pay it off which feels odd but I didn't design the loan system

I am pushing for us to start recruting legal apprentices who study whilst working, seems like we all have a responsibility to make sure a degree education is accessible for those who are very capable but deterred by the debt - whether it is donating to alumni funds or encouraging high level apprenticeship schemes etc

£48,000

Graduated in 2015. Still have the full £35k left to pay

Graduated 2001, I'll pay mine off in Feb 2017.

I graduated just over 6 years ago (summer 2010, also did a year post grad but employer paid for that). I'll be student debt free in about 18 months. I'll clear it aged 30, which seems pretty reasonable to me. Would've been slightly sooner but had 6 months mat leave.

If the loans are never paid back how are they different from paid tuition, as I had?
Or are the designed to only be paid back from the very high earners, and that does the job?

No criticism of individuals, as I mentioned I was in the last year or two who did not pay, but the system seems flawed.

Having read previous posters maybe it's more... I never got the letter with the full amount nor have they taken any deductions yet. I'm living in ignorant bliss.

throwing our first batch of legal apprentices started in September - they're really impressive and it's a fab route in.

Ooh prosecco would love to hear more about it. We missed the boat this September but am keen to start next September. Would love to have any tips etc if you have time to pm

I think it is a really good route in and I am passionate about promoting it to ensure the profession doesn't lose its hard won diversity!!

stealth it is effectively a graduate tax, just "packaged" as a loan to make it less politically controversial.

Graduated in 2004 with a £9k debt. I haven't earned enough to pay any back so I think it's over 10k now.

I graduated 11 years ago, have approx £8,000 left to pay I think. Have made minimum or close to minimum payments since graduating.

I recently realised the interest rate on it is 1.25%. Given that my savings are 'earning' 0.25% interest, I really should just pay it off outright, as I have enough money to do that.

I left uni in 2007 and finished paying it off this year.

Graduated in 2001 with £1700 left to go. Only really got onto decent money in the last three years. Will be glad wgeb it is paid off!

Graduated in 2001, owed £6000 then and now owe around £7000, i defer every year as first was part time and then became carer for my dd, the baby i had first year of my uni course.

I paid off all my student loans three months after graduating from my postgrad degree.

I didn't have a holiday for 8 years during uni as I worked every summer, every day, and I paid it off as I went. I also worked term time, and I was awarded two scholarships as I worked my butt off academically as well.

You don't have to have debt if you are prepared to make the sacrifices. I was the Queen of Frugal during my uni time. Brought my lunch in, ate dinner at home (vegetarian) didn't 'go to get a coffee', didn't go out. Didn't drink. Didn't fly. Got a first; a fantastic postgrad. Joined everything that was free. Had a blast.

Paying interest is a mug's game.
University seems to be a lifestyle choice for so many. Not sure it's any use for a lot of people... they don't seem to be driven, or focused.

I think apprenticeship is the smart way to get ahead now.

Graduated in 2015 with no debt. I had financial help from my parents and I was able to work 8-16 hours a week while studying. I went to a London uni and lived at home. I realise I'm really fortunate to have my parents living in london, and I worked really hard because I didn't want any debt hanging over me.

DH graduated in 2008 and will pay off his loan in 2017. He took a couple of years off in between to start a business so he has done well. It will be great to have it all paid off!

Even though uni is expensive I believe that it opens up so many doors for you. Also there has been studies that show a uni graduate earns a lot more on average over the course of their career, than someone who hasn't been to uni.

Graduated 1998, borrowed £6,500 (took the maximum loan each year on 4 year degree), paid off in 2005, just before I had DD1.

Not that this is relevant, since I live in Canada and things are so different here... but I graduated in 1996 and finally paid it all off in the spring of this year.

1996, so 20 years ago.
No loan, or fees, had 3 part time jobs.

10k from about 15 years ago. Took me about 9 years to pay off through wages.

Graduated 9/10 years ago...never want enough to start paying it back...think i owe about 15k now but not 100% sure as don't ever think about it tbh

Graduated 1996. Lived at home, got a good grant whilst working weekends as a nurse. Never had so much money!

Graduated 10 years ago with about £17k on student loans. Still owe around £13k. Had a year of maternity leave and now work part time so haven't paid much in the last few years, the interest is now higher than repayments so it's not going anywhere soon.