[andrewaylett]

With the system as it existed in 2000, it was very much "free money". That was before the introduction of fees, which are still not applicable for Scottish students studying in Scotland, and in combination with the interest rate increase would very definitely tip the balance for me.

I have a decent career that means I've paid off my loan. I can easily imagine that many folk with fees and modern loans won't ever even cover the interest payments.