Middle-income families with eyes on university set for new financial blow (From Bournemouth Echo)

Middle-income families with eyes on university set for new financial blow

7:00pm Wednesday 24th February 2010 in

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STUDENTS from middle income families could face another financial blow if universities are forced to give bursaries only to those from the poorest families.

Currently those from families with an income of £50,000 or less qualify for some level of financial support at most universities in England and Wales.

But the Office For Fair Access (Offa), which hopes to see more poor or deprived students at university, is urging establishments to means-test all students and to reduce the threshold.

Many young people from middle income families already believe they are at a financial disadvantage to many of their peers, who also receive maintenance grants and maximum loans to help them further their education.

Offa said more institutions should direct money to poor students or to schemes to encourage deprived pupils to go to university.

“Some institutions currently offer bursaries to students on higher incomes, or offer bursaries or scholarships that are not means-tested” said a spokesman. “Efficiencies may be found by targeting bursaries better at the most disadvantages students.”

At Bournemouth University the system already favours those from lower income families with bursaries only given to those from a household with an income of less than £25,000.

The maximum value of each bursary is £329 a year but those studying at the university’s partner colleges such as Kingston Maurward also receive a non means-tested bursary of £500.

First year students from areas where few people go to university may also qualify for a £2,000 “Widening Participation Bursary.”