News

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

Listen

Parliament gives Scots best chance ever to go to University - Wendy Alexander

29/03/2001

Minster for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Wendy Alexander today welcomed the Scottish Parliament's approval of the Graduate Endowment Bill.

The Education (Graduate Endowment and Student Support) (Scotland) Bill is part of a package of student support to give Scots their best ever chance to go to University. The package includes:

  • Grants of up to £2000 a year for young students from low-income backgrounds.
  • Access to an extra £500 of loan for those students with a family income of less than £15,000.
  • Updating of the higher education means-test and the raising of the level at which families will be expected to contribute towards the living support of students.
  • A Mature Students' Bursary Fund that will provide grants for specific expenses incurred by mature students.
  • A new School Meals Grant for those students with children.

Tuition fees for Scots in Scotland have already been abolished and loans of £500 for part-time students have also been introduced.

Ms Alexander said:

"The passing of this Bill signals a landmark achievement in the provision of support to higher education students.

"The Bill forms the cornerstone of a package that will deliver significant improvements to student support in Scotland.

"This Bill establishes the Graduate Endowment, ensuring that those who benefit from Higher Education can contribute to the education of future generations of students from low income backgrounds.

"To ensure the widest possible participation in Higher Education some categories of students will be exempt. These include mature students, lone parents, disabled students and those undertaking HNCs and HNDs.

"The Bill goes further than simply establishing the Graduate Endowment. It also makes available to those undertaking distance learning the loans for part-time students and the Disabled Students' Allowance Scheme.

"We have also ensured that some students will no longer be liable for the council tax just because they share a house or flat with a non student..

"This Bill will work towards the provision of an inclusive higher education sector in Scotland, that supports and empowers all Scots".

BACKGROUND

  1. The Scottish Executive passed the Education (Graduate Endowment and Student Support) (Scotland) Bill today. This Bill establishes the Graduate Endowment to which certain graduates will contribute.
  2. Subject to parliamentary approval of detailed regulations, Scots starting full-time degree study in Scotland from this autumn will be liable after they graduate for an endowment payment of £2000. Some students will be exempt. Graduates will be able to take out a student loan to meet their liability. The interest on a student loan is limited to the rate of inflation.
  3. The substantive regulations will be laid before the Scottish Executive once Royal assent for the Bill has been received and will come into force on 1 August 2001.

News Release: SE0858/2001
29 Mar 2001

Page updated: Monday, July 30, 2007