My name is Temitope Oketokun, I am 28 years old. I was brought to the UK when I was 13, as a minor, to save my life. We applied for asylum, and six years later it was granted. 

I had always dreamt of being a nurse. I went to school, got my GCSEs and A Levels. I was accepted on a university course,  but when I tried to apply for a student loan I was classed as ineligible, because the status I was granted, was ‘limited leave to remain’ under private and family life which does not allow individuals under this status to access student loan for level 3 and university level. 

I can vote, pay taxes, work, access the NHS and even access universal credit, yet I am unable to get a student loan because of my immigration status. I just want the Government to invest in people who have lived here their whole lives and want to access to further education.

I created this petition to get the law changed to allow those who call the UK their home and have lived in the UK more than half their lives to be able to access student loans, so that we can get further education, progress as individuals and contribute to the economy.

I want to see a change for my siblings and anyone else who comes after me and encounters the same issue. It is incredibly unfair and is stopping asylum seekers from contributing fully to British society. Please sign and share if you agree.