§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to assist students over the age of fifty years by means of(a) grants and (b) the waiving of fees; and if he will make a statement. [36110]
§ Mr. WilsonStudents currently in full-time higher education who were aged over 50 at the start of their course are eligible for free tuition and a means-tested grant towards their living costs; that will continue for the duration of their continuous programme of study.
Those aged 50 and over who begin courses in the academic year 1998–99 will be eligible for a maintenance grant at a reduced rate for that year only. Under the arrangements which will apply to new entrants to higher education from 1998–99 onwards, all eligible students, irrespective of age, will also be entitled to receive means-related help towards the contribution to their tuition costs.
We have no plans to extend the eligibility for loans to those aged 50 and over for 1998–99, but we intend to review the position for 1999–2000 and subsequent years when maintenance grants will no longer be available.