More than 20,000 students in England enrolled on weekend courses at 15 universities and colleges have been told to repay maintenance loans and grants they received in error. Student Finance England said the funding eligibility determinations were based on course details provided by universities that did not reflect weekend-only attendance. Students received letters indicating the universities made “an error” by not disclosing weekend attendance, and that any overpayments must be repaid. Some students also received childcare grants, which typically do not require repayment when eligibility is correct. Universities involved said the issue stemmed from an “abrupt” government decision and are considering a legal challenge, while the Department for Education said students were let down by “incompetence or abuse of the system.” The episode is likely to strain student budgeting and campus support systems, as affected learners face immediate repayment pressure after months of living costs funded by the maintenance package.