Report Calls For Better Financial Support For Part-Time Students

Fri, 15 Jan 2010

The Million+ group, which represents new universities, has called for part-time students in England to be given the same loan and grant support as those in full time education .

In its ‘Fair Funding for All’ report, the group says it wants the introduction of a single unified system of student finance, which will apply equally to all undergraduates .

Part-time students in England currently account for 43 per cent of the total student population, but according to the report they receive an average grant of just £360 per year, over £1000 less than the average full-time student receives.

It also reveals that part-time students do not have access to student loans, while full-time students receive an average maintenance loan of £3,758.

Furthermore, those in part-time education are expected to pay tuition fees up-front, while full-time students do not have to start repayment of tuition fees until after they graduate .

Les Ebdon, chair of Million+, said the "inequality" of the funding system has been an obstacle in broadening entry to university and expanding more flexible ways of studying.

The Million+ report claims funds for the expansion of current student finance system can be raised by increasing interest on student loans to 2 per cent, extending the number of years over which students must continue to repay their loans and by restricting payment holidays.
add to favouritesnewsletterlink to this pagesend to friendpost comments

Link to this page

Copy and Paste the following HTML into your page.