§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students applied for hardship funds in(a) 1991, (b) 1992, (c) 1993 and (d) 1994; and if she will make a statement. [1216]
§ Mr. ForthThe purpose of the hardship funds, correctly known as the access funds, is to provide financial help to students whose access to further or higher education might be inhibited by financial considerations or who, for whatever reason, including physical or other disabilities, face financial difficulties.
From the information provided by institutions, it is estimated that the numbers of applications for further and higher education access funds are as follows:
Academic year Further education Higher education 1990–91 22,100 116,0001 1991–92 30,000 118,2001 1992–93 32,400 67,440 1993–94 Not available 77,060 1994–95 Not available Will be available later in the year 1 Figures relate to the UK; other figures are not for England only. Figures for further education access funds may exclude some students at colleges who failed to submit returns.