Student Loans (Hansard, 6 November 1997)

§ Mr. Öpik
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to extend access to student loans for part-time students in higher education; and if he will make a statement. [13170]

§ Dr. Howells
The Government agrees with the Dearing Committee's conclusion that in the light of other requirements for additional funding in higher education, and the fact that many part-time students have access to other resources, extending loans to part-time students should not be a priority. The Committee looked at other ways of securing equity for part-time students, and we are considering its recommendations. In this context, we have already announced that we shall be making funds available for the remission of fees for part-time students who have lost their jobs. We have also indicated that part-time students will benefit from support from increased access funds.

§ Mr. Gordon Marsden
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to extend eligibility for supplementary hardship loans to part-time students in higher education from 1998–99; and what estimate he has made of the cost. [14433]

§ Dr. Howells
The Government has no plans to extend eligibility for supplementary loans, but in line with the Dearing Committee's recommendations is considering other ways of supporting part-time students who experience financial hardship. We have already announced that we shall be making funds available for the remission of fees for part-time students who have lost their jobs. We have also indicated that part-time students will benefit from support from increased access funds.

§ Mr. Gordon Marsden
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what age considerations will be taken into account in decisions on eligibility for student loans in higher education from 1998–99. [14432]

§ Dr. Howells
In the 1998–99 academic year, students who are aged 50 or over when their courses begin will not be eligible for student loans, but will be entitled to fee support and maintenance grants on the same basis as other students. We are reviewing the eligibility criteria, including those relating to age, which will apply to student loans in 1999–2000 and beyond.