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05 December
Dealing with Student Grant Cuts
Dealing with Student Grant Cuts
by SoftwareGuru
Friday 5th December 2008 9:03 GMT
With economic concerns at the top of everyone's agenda, you'd like to think that those in charge had the ability to get their sums right.
Far from it.
Skipping past the huge national debt that the Labour government seems intent on sending into orbit, this time it is England's Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) who have got it wrong.
Next year's grant cuts will now affect far more students than we were originally told.
Statistics suggest that partial means-tested grants will be cut for at least 90,000 others from next year, as household income thresholds change.
The Conservatives described the news as "a hammer blow" to many UK families.
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Less Money For 3rd Level Students
So what has changed? Well, the upper limit for receiving grants is being reduced in the next academic year, 2009-10, from a family income of £60,000 to £50,020.
That means up to 40,000 students would lose grants of up to £524 a year. Question is, have they got their sums right now?
The Conservative Party are not convinced. They have accused ministers of misleading people, arguing that all the income band thresholds are changing. Therefore, any student who qualifies for a partial grant will get even less.
Family incomes of £40,000 will be entitled to an annual grant of £711 (previously £1,023). Family incomes of £30,000 will be entitled to £1,906 (previously £2,053).
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Deterred By Funding Changes?
In previous blog posts, Software4Students has highlighted the costs involved for UK students who wish to achieve degrees.
Thankfully, those already at university will not have any funding cuts imposed on them.
However, prospective students now need to think long and hard about their careers and focus on the financial challenges ahead.
Around 10% of prospective students will lose all support due to these measures.
There is also expected to be "a significant rise" in the total proportion in receipt of partial grants.
In this type of climate, companies like Microsoft are uniquely positioned to be able to help whether it's offering free design software through the DreamSpark programme or agreeing to sell Office software at up to 90% discounts through Software4Students.
To borrow a phrase, every little helps!
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Posted by
BlogEditor
at
15:57
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