Speaking today at the start of the application process for 2006 entry, Sir Martin Harris, Director of OFFA said:
‘I very much welcome the new student finance section of the UCAS web site which is designed to help students plan their finances. It not only contains information for applicants on variable fees as well as an online budget calculator, but is one of the first central sources of information about the bursaries and scholarships being offered by individual universities and colleges.
‘Institutions will set aside around £350 million* per year to attract applications from students from low income backgrounds, with many offering very generous non-repayable bursary support packages. However, in an environment where the cost of higher education to the student is changing, it is even more essential that the provision of clear and accessible information remains a central part of an institution’s plans to attract and encourage more applications from under-represented groups. This site is a useful new tool to allow universities and colleges to publicise information about what help they will offer.’
* It is estimated that £120 million will be set aside for bursaries and scholarships for students from low income families in 2006 and that this will rise steadily to £350 million per year after five years when all students will come under the new regime.