2008 Funding Boost for Students Welcomed

Edge Hill University Vice Chancellor John Cater has welcomed a £400m package of measures announced by new Universities Secretary John Denham that will provide extra support for thousands of students nationwide from 2008.

Students whose families earn less than £25,000 will qualify for a full grant - an increase on the present level of £18,000 a year. Some 50,000 students are expected to benefit.

Around 100,000 partial grants will also be made available to students from families with incomes of up to £60,000 a year. The new measures mean that the proportion of students receiving some form of support will rise from 50% to 66%.

Other measures announced include plans to introduce a five-year repayment holiday for graduates and a finance guarantee whereby students will be told at 16 what funding they can expect when they go to university.

The Minister also announced measures to double the number of outstanding students who act as mentors and role models to young people, inspiring them to progress to university.

John Cater said: "This is fantastic news for potential students, future graduates and everyone involved in the Higher Education sector.

"At Edge Hill we are passionate about widening participation in higher education and removing barriers to entry such as social class, disability and age. These measures will reinforce our efforts in this area and are extremely encouraging.

"A university education should be a realistic ambition for talented people regardless of their background. Despite the attractive support packages that some universities provide, there remains a huge pool of talent that misses out on higher education. These measures will help to ensure these people receive the education and step-up in life that they deserve."

Edge Hill University won the Times Higher Outstanding Student Financial Support Award in 2006 for its generous bursaries and scholarships package and for its innovative approach to making higher education more affordable.