Higher Education: Financial Support to Students

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

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demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

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A decision made 27 January 2012:

Decision Reference: MD-ESC-2012-0003
Decision Summary Title :	Financial Support to Students in Higher Education		Date of Decision Summary:	23rd January 2012
Decision Summary Author:	David Greenwood – Assistant Director Culture and Lifelong Learning		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Financial Support to Students in Higher Education		Date of Written Report:	December 11/ January12
Written Report Author:	David Greenwood – Assistant Director Culture and Lifelong Learning		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Changes to the way UK universities obtain funding and the potential implications for Jersey students. Options for the minister to consider.
Decision(s): The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture determined: to make no change to current arrangements for student financial support for the academic year 2012/13 to undertake a review of student financial support during 2012 with a view to publishing a white paper outlining his proposals for change with effect from September 2013 onwards
Reason(s) for Decision: The Minister noted that there is still a great deal of uncertainty in the UK about tuition fees with regard to UK/EU students and that local students and their parents have been obliged to complete applications without knowing the fees they might be charged, and the level of support which would be available from the States. He also noted research carried out by the Higher Education Officer Group which suggested that increases in States costs for grant aid in 2012 could be contained within the existing budget envelope but that, if there were to be no change to student financial support during 2013 and 2014, the effect could be a need for increased States funding of £2.4M by 2015. In light of the above, and in recognition that radical change may be required in future years, the Minister determined to make no change this year in order to reassure students and parents intending to enter university in September 2012, and to provide time for public consultation and a more thorough review student support to be undertaken.
Resource Implications: There are no financial or manpower issues
Action required: Officers to inform schools, sixth form and FE students of his decision Media release to be prepared Work on a higher education White Paper to be commenced None
Signature:		Position: Minister for
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):