Conservatives scrap maintenance grant, tuition fees will rise with inflation

I'm sick of this. There is absolutely no way you can possibly justify this. There are so many other countries with highly successful university systems that provide heavily subsidised or even free university education - so why are we going in the complete opposite direction? Of course, that's a rhetorical question because we all know the answer. A generation is being screwed over and some very happy people are profiting off this.

Stop viewing education as a commodity. Get rid of that Victorian belief and step into the same century as most other progressive countries have managed to do. It's absolutely insane that a generation of students are going to be saddled with debt that the majority are never going to be able to repay just because this government is more interested in siphoning public money off to private companies under the name of "efficiency" and "austerity" rather than actually improving the welfare of its people.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 81

rockrunride

19

Original post by ForgottenApple

Think by definition it has to be

You're assuming nothing's going to change in terms of student numbers, successful graduates and contributors to the public purse over the next generation.

Reply 82

saayagain

8

It's not that bad. It's not like they said we are changing the student loan system so that you have to start paying the loan back asap like in America. That would be mad lol

Reply 83

ForgottenApple

14

Original post by rockrunride

You're assuming nothing's going to change in terms of student numbers, successful graduates and contributors to the public purse over the next generation.

Sorry people aren't able to play the benefits system?
These kind of people are not generous.

Reply 84

TheGuyReturns

16

New students only!! Hahahahaha

Reply 85

JC.

19

Original post by cake_lover

"How dare those from poorer backgrounds have opportunities!"

Hate the conservatives with a passion, why tf did people vote for them :colonhash:

They are better than labour.
All they want to do is fund the social lives of the workshy and feckless.

Reply 86

tomicb

If they are axing grants, surely they will increase the maintenance loan amount? (doesn't effect me but I think this is wrong).

The biggest problem lies at masters level - ridicuously expensive courses and very little funding. I know the tories are introducing a masters loan for 2016 but the conditions are different to student loans and will probably be equivalent to credit debt..

Reply 87

_Ddraig_

19

Original post by tomicb

If they are axing grants, surely they will increase the maintenance loan amount? (doesn't effect me but I think this is wrong).

The biggest problem lies at masters level - ridicuously expensive courses and very little funding. I know the tories are introducing a masters loan for 2016 but the conditions are different to student loans and will probably be equivalent to credit debt..

That is correct. All they are doing is shifting it from a grant to a loan (and the loan you can get has been increased)

Reply 88

kingoftheting

12

I start uni this year. Does this mean that from next year I will have my grant replaced with a loan or does this only apply to people starting a three year degree from 16/17?

Reply 89

PGtips

9

To all the students who voted tory... you guys happy now? Extra debt for students from 2016/2017...

It's pathetic from the tories, giving new students 10k more debt + interest, while saying that it's for a better future and using Greece's economic situation as an excuse. It'll only make it harder for the poorest students to get out of the poverty loop.

Reply 90

TheGuyReturns

16

Original post by kingoftheting

I start uni this year. Does this mean that from next year I will have my grant replaced with a loan or does this only apply to people starting a three year degree from 16/17?

You'll still get grants, this change is for new students starting Sept16.

Reply 91

PGtips

9

Original post by kingoftheting

I start uni this year. Does this mean that from next year I will have my grant replaced with a loan or does this only apply to people starting a three year degree from 16/17?

You apply for student finance on a year to year basis, so it affect those who apply for student finance from next year. That includes first year students who will be going into their second year and second year students going into the third year.

Reply 92

TheGuyReturns

16

Original post by PGtips

You apply for student finance on a year to year basis, so it affect those who apply for student finance from next year. That includes first year students who will be going into their second year and second year students going into the third year.

Wrong. It's being implemented like the tuition fee rise. Returning students of Sept16 will remain on the old system.

Here.

I think this will make the majority of university students feel less cheated. I know people who cheat the system and get full grants whilst still being fully supported by a parent they do not live with, now they will have to pay it back. I'm from a family who earn just above the threshold for any grant or anything above the minimum loan, but my parents don't have the cash to support me, they're busy saving for their own pensions and paying the mortgage. I have had to save by myself for two years to be able to afford uni, so I think it is much fairer that everyone will be in the same boat rather than the middle income/middle class students being burdened by no grant and no parental support.

Reply 95

tomicb

Original post by _Morsey_

That is correct. All they are doing is shifting it from a grant to a loan (and the loan you can get has been increased)

In that case I still don't think it's right but it isn't a huge deal. £40,000 student debt or £50,000 debt... what's the difference....

Reply 96

YellowWallpaper

10

Original post by cake_lover

"How dare those from poorer backgrounds have opportunities!"

Hate the conservatives with a passion, why tf did people vote for them :colonhash:

Oh, yes, voting Tory was very popular on TSR. I bet many of those who voted for them are kicking themselves now. Serves them right.

Reply 97

scrunkie

17

So maintenance grants to be changed to loans for 16/17 uni entry for NEW STUDENTS. Does that not include those who are already at uni?

edit: nevermind, just read through the comments

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 98

SonicOfPron

3