Student Awards.

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A decision made (27/04/2006) regarding Student Awards.

Subject:	Student Awards
Decision Reference:	MD-ESC-2006-0022	Exempt clause(s):		n/a
Type of Report (oral or written):	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):		n/a
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	n/a	Report File ref:		Livelink: ESC:Governance: Ministerial Government : Ministerial Reports: 20060413StudentAwards
Written Report – Title:	As title	Written report – Author:		Director of Education Sport and Culture
Decision(s): With regard to Higher Education Funding and in particular the arrangements for student grants with effect from September 2006 to: i) pass on the £1,350 top-up fee, charged by universities, to students commencing university study in September 2006 and beyond (or their parents) with effect from September 2007; ii) increase the upper threshold of all parental contributions to £11,711 (equivalent to a Band C course ) for all students on Band A – C courses to reflect the actual cost of tuition with effect from September 2006; iii) freeze the various student award categories and the travel allowance at existing levels pending the outcomes of the new higher education funding strategy.
Reason(s) for decision: At its meeting on 6 April 2006 the Council of Ministers considered a paper prepared by the Department for Education, Sport and Culture regarding Higher Education funding and in particular the arrangements for student grants with effect from September 2006. The Council did not support the previous recommendations of the Ministers for Education, Sport and Culture and Treasury and Resources. Taking account of the advice of the Council the Minister considers the recommendations above to be appropriate. At its meeting on 27 April 2006 the Council of Ministers was advised of the implications of its advice and formally endorsed the changes to the arrangements for student grants with effect from September 2006. Full details of the provision of student grants and associated funding issues have been considered at previous meetings of the Council of Ministers.
Action required:  Development of a new higher education funding strategy for consideration by the Council of Ministers during 2006 which will include measures to reduce the overspend in future years and the evaluation of the introduction of Student Loans from September 2007.
Signature:			Date of Decision: 27 April 2006