Hi WD,
I am exactly the same position, I have just finished my MSc Sep 2005 and have a total debt of about £10 000, if your credit rating is good then it wont limit you when approaching Banks. If on the other hand you have a poor credit score then you could find yourself a bit tight.
The SL is considered a debt that is payable only after finding suitable employment above a certain threshold and payable directly to the SLC so I dont think the banks will concern themselves with this?
I may be wrong, but when I made some initial enquiries, this is what I was told. Its purely to do with your credit rating and whether you have any SUBSTANTIAL COMMITMENTS such as a mortgage and the SL is not considered as substantial.
No doubt someone will slate me and say that Im wrong but hey
Best thing to do is approach your bank manager directly.
Good Luck
Scoobs