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7 Nov 2005 14:12:52
Students who plan to start university in 2006 are being offered a new range of financial incentives in the biggest Government shake-up of higher education in recent years.
And those who choose the University of Luton could be among those to benefit the most, as Luton is offering one of the most generous bursary schemes in the country.
That was the message from University of Luton Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon, as he addressed a national conference in London last week on the theme Financial Support 2006: Getting the Message Across.
Professor Ebdon said: “Students opting for a full-time undergraduate honours degree from 2006 could receive more than £12,000 during each year of study, through a new system of grants, bursaries, scholarships, loans and part-time work opportunities. And they pay no fees for their education until after they graduate and are earning a good salary.
“However, many students – in particular, mature students – remain unaware of the new package of support, despite a £3.5m Department for Education and Skills (DfES) media advertising campaign. Unless we can get the message out that many students could be better off, they could be put off and lose out on a university education.”
The new support package has come about in a Government review of higher education funding. From 2006, most UK and EU students starting higher education full-time will no longer have to pay an entrance fee.
Instead, the Government pays the fees of around £3,000 per year to the universities on behalf of students and, once they have left university and are earning £15,000 or more, the graduate re-pays the Government (with interest only at the rate of inflation, or zero in real terms).
There will also be support available to help with living expenses. The Government has re-introduced the Higher Education Maintenance Grant of up to £2,700 per year for UK and EU students. The University of Luton is adding a bursary of at least £300 per year to that figure – and up to £1,750 for those students from the lowest income families (under £17,500).
In addition, the University of Luton offers generous scholarships to those students who are most in need financially and who can demonstrate their academic potential. Awards start at £1,000 per year and students may apply via the web site at www.luton.ac.uk/scholarships.
Students may be eligible for loans of up to £4,400 per year from the Student Loans Company. Finally, they may also – with the help of the University’s Job Shop – find part-time work while they are studying and earn up to £3,600 each year.
Professor Ebdon added: “Higher education remains a very good investment. Research shows that graduates earn up to 17 per cent more than non-graduates throughout their careers and we have a number of excellent case studies on our web site to demonstrate just that.”
For more information check the University of Luton’s web site at www.luton.ac.uk or, if you are considering studying in 2006 and would like advice on your personal financial support, please ring 01582 489347.
So-called ‘top-up’ fees – and therefore bursaries – are applicable only to full-time UK and EU students studying an honours degree course at the University of Luton. Different arrangements apply to international students (or international students resident in the UK), part-time students, foundation degree students (where the fee is £1,250) and a number of students taking courses in health subjects, such as nursing, midwifery and social work.
Latest news» 2005» Nov» Be Better Off – Not Put Off, says Vice Chancellor
