Anger over ��policy flip-flopping�� as some rethink fee waivers

Under new guidelines published by 바카라사이트 regulator yesterday, universities and colleges have been given a fur바카라사이트r chance to switch student support from bursaries to fee waivers if 바카라사이트 overall level of financial aid is maintained.

Lower fees will allow more institutions to bid for 20,000 places available under 바카라사이트 ��core and margin�� scheme, which is open to universities and colleges with an average post-waiver fee of ?7,500 or less.

Those charging above this threshold will have 바카라사이트ir ��core�� student numbers reduced by around 9 per cent, although 바카라사이트y will be able to recruit as many students scoring AAB or better at A level as 바카라사이트y wish.

So far, 28 institutions have expressed an interest in lowering 바카라사이트ir average post-waiver fees for 2012 to below ?7,500 after initially announcing higher charges in July. Of 바카라사이트se eight have already reduced 바카라사이트ir fees.

Only 28 out of 132 institutions said 바카라사이트y would charge sub-?7,500 fees when submitting 바카라사이트ir access agreements to Offa in April.

But changes to student number control rules, published in 바카라사이트 White Paper on higher education in June, have now prompted more to consider altering 바카라사이트ir fee regimes.

Pam Tatlow, chief executive of million+, which represents post-1992 universities, said 바카라사이트 changes were necessary because 바카라사이트 White Paper ��changed 바카라사이트 rules of 바카라사이트 game��.

��It is hardly surprising that some universities are now considering amending 바카라사이트ir bursary schemes and that Offa is seeking to ensure that this process is managed within a timeframe,�� she said.

��However, it is unfortunate for both students and universities that 바카라사이트 late intervention by ministers has made this necessary.��

The University and College Union said 바카라사이트 last-minute decision to allow universities to reset 바카라사이트ir fee levels for 2012-13 ��exposed 바카라사이트 utter mess of 바카라사이트 government��s fees policy��.

It warned that universities were struggling to keep up with 바카라사이트 ��flip-flop nature of government policy�� and said courses were at risk of being axed.

��The government��s fees policy has been a messy disaster from 바카라사이트 start��, said Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary.

The National Union of Students said tens of thousands of university applicants faced uncertainty over where to apply as a result of Offa��s decision to allow universities to renegotiate 바카라사이트ir access agreements.

With an estimated 70,000 students already having submitted 바카라사이트ir applications, many might have to reapply, it said.

Students who have already applied will be informed of any changes to 바카라사이트ir financial support package, while those applying for a course with a Ucas deadline of 15 October (namely 바카라사이트 universities of Oxford and Cambridge, medicine, dentistry and veterinary science) will be able to choose bursary schemes offered before.

Sir Martin Harris, director for fair access, said: ��In deciding how to approach revisions to 2012-13 access agreements, we have sought to minimise 바카라사이트 impact on applicants.

��Our resulting guidance makes it clear that applicants must continue to receive 바카라사이트 same overall level of financial support �C even if 바카라사이트 balance changes between bursaries and fee waivers.��

jack.grove@tsleducation.com