As someone who does receive what is essentially the maximum grant and loan, I agree that the system is flawed and should be looked at but I do also see it as a financial equalizer in the sense that the money i'm being given now is the money that i did not receive growing up whereas wealthier students would have had this x amount spent on them for whatever reason, whether they were aware or not. Moreover, because I've grown up relatively poor I have learnt to be strict with money which of course means i can make it last a long time. i'm not saying you or others who feel screwed by the system can't save money, it's just we, the less well off, are better at it.