Commenting on the latest UCAS application figures for 2006 entry, Sir Martin Harris, Director of OFFA, said:
‘It’s good news that the latest application figures from UCAS continue to confirm an underlying upward trend in applications to higher education. I’m particularly pleased that the proportion of students from lower income backgrounds has increased slightly.’
‘Looking to the future, it’s important that next year’s applicants continue to receive clear and accessible information on the whole financial support package, including bursaries. This information also needs to reach students from disadvantaged backgrounds earlier in the educational system when they’re making important decisions about whether to go to university or not, to reassure them that if they choose to go they will be well supported financially.’
‘We will be working with universities and colleges in the coming months to explore some of the most effective ways financial information can be provided to prospective students, in particular those from low income backgrounds.’