Double whammy hits future students.
Added 02/07/2009The government’s decision to freeze student’s grants and loans but increase tuition fees from 2010/11 will “…act as another barrier for potential university students in Rochdale” according to the town’s MP Paul Rowen. Paul, a long standing campaigner against student tuition and top up fees said, “The Government is continuing to hit students hard at a time when debt is rising and graduate employment is falling dramatically. As with everything else they touch, their higher education policy is falling to pieces. Students and their families who are financially supporting them will be shocked by this news and I would today like to reiterate my commitment to abolishing student tuition fees. This is a double whammy that is set to hit university applications hard.”
Undergraduates from 2010/11 will face a new financial regime where grants and loans have been frozen, but tuition fees have been subject to an above inflation increase of 2%. The news comes as the Government faces a £200 million black hole in university funding, leading to cuts to university budgets and a reduction in the number of new student places available in coming years.
Paul Rowen continued, “Not only will debt rise as a result of this decision, but it is clear from the Government mis-management of the Higher Education sector – standards and facilities will suffer. I am a firm believer in opportunities for all and this rise will reinforce the class system in universities. Our new, state of the art sixth form college will be up and running by the time this is double whammy is implemented and I want all students at this exciting facility to progress.”
Raabhia Aziz Wrote:
As a single parent (on very low income) of 3 children of whom 1 is in second year university, and 1 who has been accepted at bradford university and on enrolment on the 21st September was told that he had to have a letter of confirmation that his loan has been approved otherwise he is off the course within 3 weeks. He is now in rented accommodation because it was too far to travel to university every day. I am now in a dilemma as to what I am supposed to do as I have signed a year contract to pay for the accommodation only because he was offered a place at university, and if he is taken off the course, how am i expected to pay the years rent for accommodation that he will not need. PLEASE HELP.
24 September 2009 12:56