NEW STUDENT SUPPORT PLANS FOR LOANS AND GRANTS.

NEW STUDENT SUPPORT PLANS FOR LOANS AND GRANTS.

SNP ENDING LABOUR'S PAY TO LEARN CULTURE.

A consultation on moving from loans to grants and increasing support for Scotland’s students has been welcomed by SNP MSP Christina McKelvie.

The consultation, announced in answer to a question from Central Scotland MSP and Education Committee member Ms McKelvie, will consider the best way to support Scotland’s students and to reduce graduate debt.

The SNP Government has already replaced loans with grants for part-time students and abolished the £2000 back door tuition fee charged by the Labour and Liberal Democrat administration.

Welcoming the launch of the consultation Ms McKelvie said;

“After years of being forced onto loans or to pay backdoor fees this consultation continues the SNP Government’s actions to support students and gives students a say over the kind of financial support they will receive.

“The SNP Government has set £30 million aside to fund our students and this is their chance to influence how that support is provided.

“The SNP has already scrapped the graduate endowment and re-introduced grants for part time students, ensuring education in Scotland is based on students ability to learn not the ability to pay.

"Whilst the SNP has put an end to Labour's pay to learn culture the Labour Government in London are about to consider increasing student fees - putting young people further into debt.

“From increasing and extending bursaries to meeting a minimum income guarantee or to supporting those on lower incomes to reduce the level of debt this consultation, supported by the NUS, gives students the opportunity to say how they would like to be funded in the future."

More information on Christina McKelvie,

Parliament Office E-mail: Christina.Mckelvie.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Website: http://christinas-view.blogspot.com/