A FRUSTRATED Newton Poppleford teenager feared she’d have to leave university after waiting nearly two months for her student loan to arrive.

Emily Irish, 19, of Exmouth Road, said a delay in dispensing the cash ruined her first term as a fresher and left her struggling to afford food.

Emily’s parents even had to borrow money to pay for her accommodation at the University of Glamorgan, near Cardiff.

The Student Loans Company yesterday paid Emily, who started university on September 19, her first instalment after receiving a phone call from the Herald .

“I’ve worked so hard to get here. It’s a life dream,” former Sidmouth College student Emily said before hearing the overdue news.

“It really does feel like they don’t want me to go to university.

“I don’t do a lot of drinking and going out but when I want to I can’t.

“My cousin had to drive all the way from Gloucester to buy me some food.”

Budding drama teacher, Emily, had to miss a friend’s birthday celebrations and has watched on while others have had freshers fun.

She says she’s spent around �100 on mobile phone calls to Student Finance England.

Mum, Lynette, said: “It’s absolutely crazy, she rang me up in tears and asked me ‘what have I done wrong’.”

Student Loans Company bosses said an application form issue was behind the delay.

Mark Cassidy, head of processing, added: “We can confirm that Emily will be paid her first student finance instalment today (Thursday, November 16).

“We’re sorry for the delay and wish her every success with her future studies.”