HC Deb 25 April 1995 vol 258 cc480-1W
21. Mr. Canavan

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent representations she has received about financial support for students; and if she will make a statement. [19189]

Mr. Boswell

My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations about financial support for students.

Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list the level of grant available to students in(a) further and (b) higher education in each European Union member state for each year since 1990; and what percentage increase or decrease this represents compared to the previous year; [21007]

(2) what information she has on the projected level of grant available to students in (a) further and (b) higher education for each of the five years for each of the European Union member states; and what percentage increase or decrease this represents relative to projection for the previous year. [20869]

Mr. Boswell

Systems of financial support for students undertaking further and higher education courses vary widely across the EU, and the information requested is not available in a comparable form. The guide "The Main Systems of Financial Assistance for Students in Higher Education in the European Community', published by EURYDICE, provides a useful summary of the system in each member state. Copies were placed in the Library last year.

Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what sources of funding are available to students who undertake degree courses as mature students. [20792]

Mr. Boswell

Mandatory awards and student loans are available as of right to personally eligible mature students on most full-time higher education courses. There are also various postgraduate bursary schemes. Local education authorities can make discretionary awards to mature students who are not personally eligible for mandatory awards. Access funds are available for full-time mature students and certain students have retained eligibility for some benefits.