§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students currently studying in the UK from Commonwealth countries have received financial assistance from his Department towards the cost of their education studies in the UK in each of the last three years. [84742]
§ Mr. MudieThe majority of scholarships for Commonwealth students are funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development. While the Department of Education and Employment does not offer direct financial support to these students, the Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (ORSAS), funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England supported 822 students in the 1996–97 academic year at the cost of £3.792 million, 721 students in 1997–98 at £3.507 million and 709 students in 1998–99 at £3.713 million. In addition, the Montserrat Emergency Award Scheme, funded through the British Council, supported 6 students in 1997–98 and 92 students in 1998–99 academic year, with maintenance awards of £3,500 each per year.