Govt to ‘debunk’ uni funding myths
The government will launch a renewed campaign in a bid to prove university students have adequate financial support.
A multimedia campaign will launch on November 5 highlighting the variety of funding sources available to higher education students.
The campaign is designed to target the 100,000 additional students eligible for partial funding under new rules brought in by Gordon Brown.
Universities secretary John Denham announced in July more students would be eligible for partial grants.
Students starting university in 2008 will be eligible for some financial support if their family income is below £60,005 a year, up from £39,305.
Full grants worth £2,835 will be available for all students from families earning less than £25,000 a year.
This will see up to a third of higher education students eligible for financial support, up from a quarter at present, and the government’s campaign is designed to ensure this message gets across – or “debunk the myths” surrounding funding.
Since the introduction of top-up fees in 2006, the government has come under renewed criticism for the financial demands placed on students.
Although all students are liable for up-front fees of over £3,000, Mr Denham claims more students are eligible for support than ever before.
He said today: “It is essential that young people and their parents understand that there is financial support available to study at university”
Aside from maintenance grants, students can also take out loans to cover the cost of top-up fees – payable at £3,145 in 2008 – and living costs. The maximum loan for living costs will be set at £4,625 (£6,475 in London) for students living away from home.
News of the forthcoming advertising campaign comes as the think-tank Reform accuses the government of neglecting the economic needs of young people.
It claims new graduates in 2012 can expect to lose half their income to tax, student loan and pension payments, as the government sets its spending priorities to benefit the older generation.
