What is the rationale behind giving grants to poorer students?

children who come from households who earn under, for example, 10k a year, have "no idea how lucky they are" compared to those whose families earn 50k per year? just because they get a few extra £ thrown their way that they don't have to pay back? i think you need to stop being bitter and get a grip.

it's your parents choice to spend their money on something other than financing you through university, not the government's fault they don't see it a worthy cause. at least your parents are afforded the choice of where to spend their hefty salaries

Firstly I would like to make it absolutely clear that I support loans for students, all students, sufficient to cover the cost of their living, fees, books, etc. I think we all agree that higher education is a right for all citizens, regardless of your financial means.

However I am unsure on what the argument in favour of giving grants (i.e. money which does not have to be paid back) to students from poorer backgrounds.
I mean, at what point should parents' incomes cease to matter? Why should a 23 year old have to pay less money back because their parents earn less, when you only pay the money back when you are earning over a certain threshold (~21k I believe).

I am more than willing to be persuaded, I have just never heard an argument as to why it should be the case.

whining and your parents are on 50k a year -- i think someone needs to get a grip. you've got no idea how fortunate you are compared with students who actually live in poverty.

it's your parents' choice to spend their money on nursing home costs, no reason the government should subsidise you when your parents are making a killing

Because if a poor student has managed to get to university who has overcome anyone of

Poor/Non existent Parenting
Poor Nutrition
Poor School
Poor Disruptive School Environment
No access to reading materials at home
No sense of "learning is important" instilled in them
Classmates telling them they're wasting their time

Then it might be a ****ing miracle they got to uni in the 1st place? And to think you'd deny them the money to live on at uni. The maintenance loan pretty much covers your accomodation/gas/electricity/internet/transport thats it.

That answer your question?

wow...you are an utter simpleton. you do appreciate that those who receive grants have not only emerged from an appalling state school system, but then still have to work part-time to make ends meet at university, don't you?

No, you have just hammered out an overly emotional response without actually reading what the OP said.

Ah right, so if it were your Grandad you'd let him just die, would you?

As I said to the poster who also quoted me, the tax is crippling, we're in debt up to our eyeballs because of costs before he got the job, and the nursing home isn't cheap.

I think you need to get a grip if you think that every situation is as simple as black and white.

Right, so the Government can afford to support loans to cover everyone? Is that what you're saying, how much do you think that would cost exactly?

Should the Government pay for the highest level of accomodation at a University for example? If you're going to act high and mighty, think through your posts.

wow...you are an utter simpleton. you do appreciate that those who receive grants have not only emerged from an appalling state school system, but then still have to work part-time to make ends meet at university, don't you?

The fees were free, but the living costs were not. So that has nothing to do with it.
As I said, I personally do think that the number of siblings should be taken into account. But I was just giving an argument why they may not be.



The same can be said but the other way around though. Why should people from poorer families be forced to have a job through universitiy, just because their parents cannot afford to pay for their accomodation etc etc.
(btw, I have had a job through uni).

My family are in a similar situation - both are teachers in the home counties and on around-ish £50,000 - they can afford to give me about £400-500 per year. They had actually made provisions for my future living costs but due to all my surviving grandparents becoming ill and requiring essentially 24 hour care and the cost of buying & maintaining a respectable family home in Surrey mean that free cash is about as abundant as snow in Saudi Arabia.

First point, that's fair enough.

My point is the fact some people are forced to pay for themselves through university is independent of what how well their families are supposedly doing. It's not just a few people in this situation, it's a considerable amount. Once we're 18 we're not 'dependents' anymore so why is should our support be based on our parents income? Or why does you parents income mean you shouldn't have to pay the money back like everyone else once you yourself are earning enough? I'm yet to see a good argument for this.

Do you realise how much care homes cost? And as I said we're in debt from paying for it before my Dad got a good job.. and are you aware how much TAX people on that much have to pay?!

This is absolutely not true, being over the income threshold does not make you rich and enable you to shower your children with cash.

I am not saying poor people have it great, I am just saying there is a small percentage of "rich" people who have it much worse.

Sorry to hear that! It's such a shame that nobody on here seems to understand, though.

Yes I do. Because we nearly had to put my Gran in one. However, they do not cost enough to make £50k a year seem like nothing. And yes, I do know how much tax is paid. It isn't a huge amount because it is only a little over the threshold. Somehow, I have a feeling your parents were simply one of those families who were trying to live beyond their means (you mention debt). You must be if £50k a year isn't enough.

Tell that to the people I know who have all their food, all their accomodation etc etc paid for.

eh?

My question exactly.

Yes I do. Because we nearly had to put my Gran in one. However, they do not cost enough to make £50k a year seem like nothing. And yes, I do know how much tax is paid. It isn't a huge amount because it is only a little over the threshold (what your parents take home is still over what the average before tax household income is). Somehow, I have a feeling your parents were simply one of those families who were trying to live beyond their means (you mention debt). You must be if £50k a year isn't enough.

a.) Providing care to two old people

b.) Living in the home counties

d.) Supporting three childern through higher education

e.) Having some past-times

We get little change from that - my parents haven't been abroad for years because of it (unlike the benefits crowd at my mums school who get showered with cash - and in some cases free ****ing cars and a host of other goodies).