§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a document for the guidance of students and higher and further education institutes setting out the new arrangements on fees, grants, loans, access funds and hardship loans; and if he will do so in consultation with students and institutions to ensure that it answers the questions frequently asked. [43874]
§ Mr. WilsonIn October 1997, we published the booklet "Scottish Higher Education for the 21st Century" which gave those proposing to enter higher education in 1998–99 and beyond a guide to the new arrangements. The arrangements have also been the subject of discussions with representatives of institutions.
The annual information booklet, "Student Support in Scotland—A Guide for Undergraduate Students 1998–99", was subsequently published by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland at Easter and has been widely available to both students and institutions. The booklet is part of the student support applications package and it provides full details of the assistance available to meet tuition fees, together with the grant and loan entitlements of new students entering higher education in session 1998–99. It also explains how students can apply for hardship loans and assistance form the Access Funds.
We will be publishing additional factsheets this month which set out in bullet format answers to the questions most frequently asked in relation to specific types of students.
Further information will be published later in the year and we will be happy to consider suggestions about the content.