The recent student protests in London revolved around the axing of the £3000 maintenance grant that a student might obtain above the £9,000 per annum student loan for tuition fees when attending university. This maintenance allowance subsidises rental or living costs. In some cases subsidy for accommodation is all it supplies as food and travel can be much above this allowance. The student then has to work to earn money for food, amenities and travel. The student maintenance grant allowed a certain amount of flexibility with regards as to how an individual financed living expenses or accommodation. On top of the recent extortionate £9 000 per annum tuition fees, how can students be expected to survive or be encouraged to encompass university life?
The recent demonstrations in London against tuition fees and spending cuts was the biggest since 2010 reflecting the rise in concern amongst students, potential students and families about the rising and confusing costs of further education. The protests called for an end to the possibility of universities setting their own fees above the already high £9 000 per year. John Mc Donnell, the Shadow Chancellor accused the government of betraying students with increases to tuition fees and scrapping the education maintenance allowance.
Many students from lower income families might be pressured into thinking that they cannot take this financial risk despite having young people who are capable and yearning to continue on to university. One cannot deny that shutting off finance in one form or another to students will inevitably shut off opportunities to many students from different backgrounds and those who cannot afford to pay fees but are willing to a certain point to pay back loans and work to support them through university. How can we expect students to cope with the expensive tuition fees? It seems that the windows of opportunity to all are being diminished.
This issue highlights the dilemma facing many Year 13 students who are encouraged into securing university places yet perhaps are not fully aware of the financial implications that follow this path. It adds to the stress the young people face of exams, university or workplace applications and the extra curricula activities they must include on their CV. It raises the question whether Year 13 students should be made aware of the other opportunities available to them in a more positive light which often results in more practical skills and job opportunities.
Currently the route of apprenticeships is being encouraged by schools however stigma is still attached to this pathway and a degree is seemed to be more valuable. On the other hand the positives of apprenticeships can be highlighted when economic situations are considered as at the end of this you have been in a working environment and earning money throughout these years, furthermore employability especially with the company you have been working with is likely. This contrasts to university where the issue of employability is becoming more and more of a concern also finishing with an average of £35000-£40000 worth of student debt.
Lucy Ashworth
Hinchley Wood Sixth Form
