Poorest students falling further into debt

[BetterTogether]

Much is made of free higher education in Scotland but the reality of the situation if the poorest students are falling deeper into debt. This is a scandal that has yet to be fully exposed.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/po...n-fees-6724744

[Manxman]

Are you also aware that over the age of 54 if you want to return to education ie UNIVERSITY you cant get a student loan, so much for the government wanting us to work longer

[rob murray]

Much is made of free higher education in Scotland but the reality of the situation if the poorest students are falling deeper into debt. This is a scandal that has yet to be fully exposed.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/po...n-fees-6724744

HE is free, you dont pay fee's unlike in ENgland, but as there are no living grants available people need to access student loans to survive, obviously if your from a wealth background you dont need to get a student loan, so if your parents cant fund you you either work part time ( and knock on effect on study time ) / get a loan to get you through. Some unis have I believe some funds for supporting needier students but not all of them and its not a lot. SO free education yep, but the small print says support yersel / borrow money as a loan, repayable of course. A bigger scandal is the underfunding and mismanagement of FE colleges, traditionally the delivery point of vocational education, in some lower level courses students recieve grants /bursaries but I understand that HIgher National Certificate and above, FE used to deiver up to HND ( classed as higher education ) are non bursary aided and students have to apply for loans to support themselves. This is bound to impact upon mature students with families, who would want to take on debt with a family and an uncertain future ??

[rob murray]

Are you also aware that over the age of 54 if you want to return to education ie UNIVERSITY you cant get a student loan, so much for the government wanting us to work longer

If your correct then this is agism, discrimination by age and is or should be illegal under the equality act http://www.ageuk.org.uk/work-and-lea...-equality-act/ unless of course the government has made amendments to it covering students over 54 being non eligible of a loan which after researching this there is, see below
http://www.saas.gov.uk/full_time/ug/...bility_age.htm

While there are no age limits for tuition fees, bursary and living costs grants, there is legislation in place that restricts a student loan for living costs.

To be eligible for a loan for living costs, you must:

• be under 50 on the first day of the first academic year of your course; or
• be aged 50 to 54 on the first day of the first academic year of your course and plan to return to employment after completing the course.

If you change course and are aged 55 or over on the relevant date of your second course, you will not be entitled to a student loan for your second course.

[BetterTogether]

First Minsters question Kezia Dugdale has just stated the student debt is now £2.7 billion

[rob murray]

First Minsters question Kezia Dugdale has just stated the student debt is now £2.7 billion

AYe but how much of that will actually be paid back, how many ex students will be able to pay back loans, as they might not earn enough and make repayment thresholds, anyroads loans have interest charges so a nice wee earner for any government eh !!