xathras

I am a president of a students' union in greater manchester, I cannot believe that people are favour of top-up fees, nor do they fully understand what the bill means for education.

While the bill includes the removal of up-front fees, the fees need to be paid back at a rate which is supposed to be generous, which to be honest isn't, include a young family, taxation, a mortgage, living expensives, commitments, and the repayments this will leave people poorer.

Variable fees of up-to £3,000 on university courses is a solution of which I cannot understand, take my example, more money is needed, but universities will be giving back a bursary which will be capped at 10%, so thats £300, and if the student was to receive the full £1250 means test grant for there fees, money which they won't see, that will leave the system back where it currently is.

Middle class families, families like my own, will lose out, while the richer will be able to pay, I won't. I already have to pay £1,125 for my fees per year, which my family cannot afford, although the governments says they can. I receive the lowest student loan threshold, £3,000, which doesn't cover the cost of accomondation, and my fees alone. What happens with all the stationary I need for my course, course expenses such as books, researching etc. general living expenses such as travelling, food, phone bills, heating, lighting, water etc. I am under a scheme that leaves me £2,000+ poorer a year, and the governments proposals won't help they will only make it worse, I will not be entitled to any grants. I will be paying more for my education, and be more in debt. FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

The system of education is changing, where currently people enter HE into degrees, there will be more call for students to enter foundation degree, to gain more basic skills, to develop themselves for the degree course, this will mean more time at university, which is more money.

More food for thought, what happens if a student achieves below standard in a semester due to illness, family problems, stress, death to family etc. believe me it happens, and it can effect students for years not months, I know because I see them everyday.