Commenting on today’s Government announcement on the new student support package for higher education, Sir Martin Harris, Director of OFFA, said:
‘I strongly welcome the Government’s announcement about these positive changes to the student support package. This is extremely good news for the widening participation agenda. It signals a firm commitment from Government to those from lower income backgrounds, and strengthens the overall support package for students which includes bursaries and scholarships provided by universities and colleges.
‘I’m particularly encouraged to see that from the 2008-09 academic year a 16 year old who qualifies for an Educational Maintenance Award will be guaranteed a minimum level of maintenance support at university and that this 16 year old will be guaranteed at least five years of maintenance support for their studies – through school, college and university. This guarantee will encourage pupils to stay on for further study, and will provide certainty about financial support.
‘I also welcome the extension of student mentoring provision for young people from non traditional backgrounds, as a significant way of raising aspirations and supporting young people as they progress towards further and higher education.’