The burden of student loans is not unique to American students. Students in the U.K. are also struggling with financing their higher education.
It was previously reported that a new study by Citizens Bank found how three out of four people find the student loan application process more stressful than applying to college. Americans aged 18 and older, which includes students and parents, found the process stressful.
Moreover, more than half of the survey participants also revealed that they do not fully understand the student loan process. This is because of confusing terminology and unclear paperwork.
Even more stressful is when it's time to pay back these loans. According to Telegraph, majority of students in the U.K. are relying on credit cards and payday loans to pay for their higher education.
This is based on data from research done by Future Finance. The survey asked 1,000 full-time students and 31 percent revealed how they turned to credit cards, overdrafts and payday loans for expenses while in university.
Unfortunately, the data also revealed how some students do not see payday loans and credit cards as forms of debt. 70 percent of students also admitted that the loan they got from the government was not enough to cover university costs.
The research notes growing concerns on how students are forced to turn to alternative means just to be able to get a degree. In another report by the publication, it was found that some university students have turned to gambling, adult work and medical trials to finance their college education.
"It is worrying that significant numbers of students rely on credit cards, payday loans and overdrafts without even seeing them as debt," Brian Norton, CEO of Future Finance, said. "For many students, going to uni is the first time they're required to stand on their own feet financially. It's a big change in their life and it can be a steep learning curve."
