Mike Hall MP

Labour Party | Weaver Vale

Increased support for students in higher education

The Labour Government has announced major changes to the higher education student support system, which will ensure that all people with potential and qualifications, no matter what their background, will have the opportunity to participate and succeed in higher education.

Full-time students from families with incomes of up to £25,000 will be entitled to the maximum grant. Students from families with incomes of up to £60,000 will also be entitled to a partial grant - meaning a third of students from 2008/09 onwards will now receive a full grant (worth £2,825 a year) and a further third of students will receive a partial grant. 

For a student from a household on £25,000 a year earnings, this will mean an extra£1,100 a year in maintenance grant. For a student from a family on £40,000 a year, it will mean an extra £1,000 a year.

In total, two thirds of students will receive some grant each year – compared to just over a half now.

Mike Hall MP said,

“I welcome this announcement. It is good news that students from less well off backgrounds will receive financial support when they go on to higher education. I believe every student who is appropriately qualified should be given the opportunity to go to university. This amount of extra financial support for students will ensure that students from less well off backgrounds going into higher education will receive maintenance grants.

“This will remove the financial obstacle which prevents some students from going to university. This will increase access to university and means that no students will be excluded on the grounds of cost.”