Higher Education Student Finance (2013-14)

Lord Willetts Excerpts

Thursday 8th March 2012 Written Statements

[The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts)]

I am today confirming the student finance package for higher education students undertaking a course of study in the academic year beginning September 2013.

For all new and continuing full-time students in 2013-14, maximum tuition charges and maximum tuition loans will be maintained at 2012-13 levels.

For all new part-time students in 2013-14, and all continuing part-time students who started their courses on or after 1 September 2012, maximum tuition charges and maximum tuition loans will be maintained at 2012-13 levels.

The maximum maintenance grant for students attending full-time courses in 2013-14 will be uprated in line with inflation. For new students and continuing students who started their courses on or after 1 September 2012, the maximum grant in 2013-14 will be increased to £3,354. For continuing students who started their courses before 1 September 2012, the maximum grant in 2013-14 will be increased to £3,080.

For all new and continuing full-time students attending their courses in 2013-14, loans for living costs will be maintained at 2012-13 levels.

For those students who started part-time and full-time distance learning courses before 1 September 2012 and who are continuing their courses in 2013-14, maximum fee and course grants will be uprated in line with inflation. Maximum fee grants will be increased to £1,270, depending on the intensity of study of the course. Maximum course grants will be increased to £275.

Maximum grants for students with dependants and those with disabilities will also be maintained at 2012-13 levels in 2013-14.

Household income thresholds for grants for tuition and living costs, and loans for living costs, will be maintained at 2012-13 levels for 2013-14.

I expect to lay regulations implementing changes to student support for 2013-14 before both Houses in the summer 2012.