§ Mr. HicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list which EU member states require students undertaking courses of higher education to contribute towards their tution fees, the proportion they are obliged to pay and the proportion of maintenance costs that are funded through student loans.
§ Mr. BoswellSystems of financial support for students undertaking higher education courses vary widely across the EU, and the information requested is not available in a comparable form. The attached table, taken from "The Main Systems of Financial Assistance for Students in Higher Education in the European Community", summarizes the available information. Copies of this document will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
337W
Tuition fees Form of main financial support Depends on income of student/ parents/ spouse Depends on academic criteria Percentage of all students receiving direct assistance Amount variable according to income and/ or place of residence Other social benefits Spain Yes Grant Yes Yes ±20 Yes Grants: Travelling expenses Public transport Accommodation Exemption from tuition fees Course material France Yes Grant + loan Yes Yes ±18 Yes Exemption from tuition fees (in the public sector) Tax allowances Travelling expenses Ireland Yes Grant + loan Yes Yes ±34 Yes Reduced tuition fees Italy Yes Grant +loan Yes Yes 2.5 Yes Family allowances paid until age 26 Exemption from tuition fees Luxembourg No Grant + loan Yes No 80 Yes Family allowances paid until age 27 Netherlands Yes Grant+loan No (for the basic grant) No 100 Yes Family allowances Tax allowances Free pass for public transport Portugal Yes Grant+loan Yes No 10 to 15 Yes Reductions on price of educational materials Free medical care, sports and cultural activities United Kingdom Yes Grant + loan Yes Yes 76 Grant 28 Loan Yes Remission of tuition fees