Hard-up students on Scottish campuses are being increasingly targeted by loan sharks as bank credit dries up.

The National Union of Students in Scotland is receiving reports that unscrupulous lenders are gaining a foothold across the country. Two weeks ago, The Scotsman revealed universities are running out of hardship cash to give to students in dire financial straits.

University principals said part-time jobs were drying up and parents were struggling to help their children as they also found themselves in financial woe. Now, "private lenders" are taking advantage of the harsh climate.

NUS Scotland president Gurjit Singh said: "We are very concerned by a number of reports of students turning to unreputable lenders for credit. Interest payments on these kinds of loans can very quickly become a problem for those with little or no income. We advise avoiding this kind of credit.

Source: The Scotman Newspaper
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