In brief
Student debt

September is the start of the academic year and the beginning of university life for over 1.5 million students. But for many, it is the first step on the road to massive debt and poverty.

This year sees the first fee-paying students graduate, many with debts in excess of £12,000. In total, students are contributing £1.6 billion a year more to their education than in 1997. Though the majority of students take out student loans and undertake term-time work, often working long hours and at lower pay than other employees, most experience a significant shortfall between their income and outgoing expenditure, resulting in hardship and high levels of commercial debt. The lack of non-repayable maintenance support is disastrous for students, particularly non-traditional students, such as those from low-income backgrounds and those with children of their own.

Last parliamentary session saw two important select committee enquiries into access to higher education and student retention; now is the time to address the concerns raised by witnesses to those enquiries and provide a comprehensive system of funding for students which includes non-repayable maintenance financial support.

The period since 1997 has also witnessed the introduction of education maintenance allowances (EMAs), a scheme applauded by the National Union of Students. Reports from the EMA pilot areas, where 16-19-year-old students are offered weekly maintenance payments, suggest that attendance and performance has improved. The scheme needs to be extended to all students in further education.

Owain James, President of the National Union of Students

Poverty 110, Autumn 2001