I discuss sports with one, while I have discussions while working out with another. I have many wonderful uncles and aunts with whom I share a cup of tea or a beer. I don’t see all of them equally much, some only once a year during our family weekend. One of my uncles was, until recently, the one I saw most of. Although we did not have meaningful discussions, that was okay with me. I always looked forward to his regular visits on the 24th of each month.
I am, of course, referring to Uncle DUO. Many a student’s greatest ally. A beacon of stability in uncertain times. But our relationship is about to take a turn. The flow of money has come to a halt, and the cash flow is about to change direction. The uncle helped the loan system child mature, and soon, it will be time for payback. Lots and lots of payback. Speaking of which, Uncle DUO sent me a message this week entitled: “A decision has been made about your interest rate”.
This message makes as much sense as an inebriated uncle does
You know the drill. The typical DUO style of communicating. Start with a general subject line, followed by: ‘How does this affect you?’. Then, there are the small plus symbols you must click to reveal the decision, which will unveil the essence of the decision. Let’s take a look at the interest rate. I click the plus.
I click open and see: ‘You don’t have to repay yet.’
A letter bearing the title “A decision has been made about your interest rate”, which doesn’t tell me what the interest rate is. The current interest percentage is not shown anywhere in the letter. This message makes as much sense as an inebriated uncle does. Perhaps lay off the beer and have a cup of tea, Uncle DUO?
Could an employee have completed the wrong form? It is a blessing that this doesn’t concern an application for benefits (the benefits affair, remember?). At least I don’t have to fear filling out anything the wrong way. I will have to repay in full. With interest or something.
Steven Snijders (26) has recently graduated with his MSc in Economics and Policy and is currently in the no-mans-land between studying and the life of a working person. He writes about the post-student era.
