LACK of financial support is putting some of the most disadvantaged students in Scotland at risk of hardship, mental health problems and dropping out of education according to new claims.
A Freedom of Information request by NUS Scotland revealed students from the poorest households are not applying for any of the loans for which they are eligible, for fear of ending up in debt.
The organisation says that leaves some trying to survive on a bursary of £1,125 for an entire year compared to the maximum of £7,625 they would receive in combined loans and bursaries.
Vonnie Sandlan, president of NUS Scotland, said: “Among our poorest students a fifth don’t touch any loan support. More worryingly still, the number avoiding student loans increases significantly when you just look at higher education students in colleges. These are the students who will come from the most disadvantaged backgrounds and require the most support.
“A lack of student support then puts them at the greatest risk of financial hardship, mental ill-health, and potentially dropping out of education altogether – a huge loss of talent and potential.”
The student organisation believes there is a pressing need to look at how bursaries can be improved for those who need them most.
Sandlan said: “Despite all the progress made during the last parliament on improving our record on widening access to higher education, there’s still more to do. That must be tackled by the next parliament and needs to address the financial support available to students.
“Students deserve the necessary support to enable them to access education, stay there and reach their full potential and for the most in-need students that must be delivered as bursaries.
“Ahead of the Scottish elections, NUS Scotland will be taking that message to all parties, leaving them in no doubt that students deserve fairer support and the status quo can’t continue.”
The SNP has confirmed a re-elected Nationalist government will implement the recommendations of the Widening Access Commission, including appointing a commissioner for fair access.
Ministers have already accepted the commission’s recommended targets to ensure that, by 2030, students from the 20 per cent most deprived areas make up 20 per cent of higher education entrants.
In addition, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that an SNP government would work with universities to ensure people with care experience who meet minimum entry requirements will be guaranteed a place at university and receive a full bursary.
Speaking ahead of a NUS hustings in Glasgow, she said: “Access to university has been improving but we all know there is more we can do.
“The Commission on Widening Access has set out challenging targets that an SNP government will act on. I want to see universities, colleges and the entire education system embrace these recommendations and take steps to improve access to university.
“To ensure there is no complacency we will appoint a commissioner for fair access to be an advocate for change across the whole of the sector.
“If the commissioner finds universities that are not delivering on their commitments then they should be able to recommend that the Scottish Government use the powers we have to impose change on universities.
“And an SNP government will make sure that no potential student is put off by the prospect of Tory taxes and charges. The Tory plans are not just wrong but risk becoming a real barrier to opportunity.
“An SNP government will ensure that higher education is always based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay.”
The National View: Poorest students need support once they reach university
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