More Support For Students While Studying

The student support package for 2012/13 for new and continuing students, including those at alternative providers, has been announced by David Willetts, the Universities and Science Minister today.

Maintenance grants will be increased for existing undergraduates at the start of the 2012/13 academic year, making it the first increase in maintenance in three years.

Maintenance grant loan levels for particular groups of undergraduates starting in 2012/13 – such as those living away from home and studying in London and those living at home while studying – and distance learning students will be entitled to tuition loans on the same basis as full-time students for the first time.

Undergraduates at higher education providers not funded by HEFCE will now be entitled to borrow up to £6,000 to cover their tuition costs, so long as their course is designated by BIS.

David Willetts, the Universities and Science Minister, said: “All our higher education reforms are designed to place students at the heart of a more dynamic sector. We are focussing support on those students who need it most because no one should be deterred from higher education on financial grounds. Continuing students and new students will both benefit from more generous maintenance rules, while part-time students and distance learners will be entitled to new support to cover the costs of tuition.

“The new system will be more responsive to student choice. As a first step, we are making sure students at alternative providers can benefit from the more generous tuition loan system in place from 2012/13.

“Looking further ahead, our forthcoming higher education white paper will consult on further liberalisation of the sector. Today’s announcement is an important step towards the goal of public spending following the decisions of learners.”

(BMcN)