This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Increase for student support
12/03/2004
Support for students in full-time higher education in
2004-2005 will be 2.4 per cent higher than in 2003-2004,
maintaining current levels in real terms, it was announced
today.
In addition to the new rates, the Review of Funding for
Learners has resulted in a number of technical changes to
student support which will be implemented in 2004-2005.
These include:
- Amending previous study rules so that students
progressing from a HND course have access to funding
from the 2nd year of a degree whether or not they have
successfully completed a HND
- Removing the link between eligibility for student
loan and supplementary grants (thereby removing the
constraint on receiving grants for learners aged 55 and
over)
- Transferring the HE Hardship Loan into the existing
scheme of HE Hardship funds
- Transferring the FE Young Students Retention Fund
(YSRF) into the existing scheme of FE Hardship
Funds
Responding to a parliamentary question on levels of
student support for Scottish domiciled students in the
coming academic year, Lifelong Learning Minister Jim
Wallace said:
"The increase I am announcing today will ensure that the
value of support available to students will be maintained
in real terms. We are also increasing by the same factor
the standard rates of tuition fee payments made to
institutions on behalf of eligible students by the Student
Awards Agency for Scotland.
"These changes will help ensure that we continue to
target support to those students who need it most."