HC Deb 15 October 1996 vol 282 cc883-4W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students applied for hardship funds in(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1995–96 for (i) further and (ii) higher education, and if she will make a statement. [40579]

Mr. Forth

The 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, the number of eligible applicants for further and higher education access funds were as follows:

Academic year Further education Higher education
1993–94 41,668 77,060
1994–95 51,027 77,005
1995–96 n/a n/a
n/a=not yet available.