For-profits seek access to public funds

For-profit providers have pressed 바카라사이트 government to give 바카라사이트m greater access to publicly funded student loans and open up teaching grant in high-cost subjects.

Universities have hit back by arguing that only charities should have access to state loans.

Responding last year to 바카라사이트 government consultations on 바카라사이트 higher education White Paper, private providers also called for university representatives on 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England board to be replaced with members independent of 바카라사이트 sector.

Meanwhile, one major US for-profit, Laureate Education, told 바카라사이트 government it would welcome 바카라사이트 opportunity to establish or buy a UK university.

Responses to 바카라사이트 White Paper technical consultation, obtained by 온라인 바카라 under 바카라사이트 Freedom of Information Act, expose 바카라사이트 battle lines drawn between universities and private providers.

The White Paper announced plans to create a "level playing field" between both camps.

Under 바카라사이트 proposals, private providers would receive equal access to public funding from 바카라사이트 Student Loans Company (instead of 바카라사이트 present lower cap of ?6,000) but would be obliged to submit to 바카라사이트 same regulation as universities.

Although 바카라사이트 plans were delayed after 바카라사이트 government shelved its higher education bill earlier this year, ministers are expected within weeks to launch a separate consultation to bring private providers seeking SLC funding within 바카라사이트 student number cap - and may propose allowing 바카라사이트m access to 바카라사이트 full ?9,000.

Choice means money

In its response to 바카라사이트 technical consultation, Laureate tells 바카라사이트 government that a "genuine choice" for students can be achieved only "if all providers have an equal right to access to public funds - both funding for students and for teaching grant".

The White Paper proposes that access to teaching grant for high-cost subjects be limited to non-profits. But Laureate highlights its provision of medicine and dentistry education around 바카라사이트 world, and asks why it should be "barred" and "바카라사이트reby be unable to bring that global expertise and capacity" into 바카라사이트 UK higher education system.

Laureate also says: "We would support any changes that make 바카라사이트 establishment, acquisition, ownership and operation of a licensed and recognised [higher education institution] in 바카라사이트 UK more achievable."

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 response from Pearson, a FTSE 100 company that has made no secret of its desire to gain degree-awarding powers, says that "our contribution will be strongest if students studying with us are able to access government student loans".

However, 바카라사이트 company raises concerns about being subject to 바카라사이트 student numbers cap.

Instead, it proposes a "mechanism" whereby it would cover 바카라사이트 cost to 바카라사이트 taxpayer of subsidising student loans, estimated by 바카라사이트 government at 30 per cent of loan value.

"This plan would enable an increase in 바카라사이트 number of (loan-supported) higher education places available for UK students at a far reduced risk and overall cost to 바카라사이트 public purse," it says.

Discrimination and exhibitions

The New College of 바카라사이트 Humanities, which charges fees of ?18,000 and is 바카라사이트 subsidiary of a for-profit parent, says that a ?6,000 or ?9,000 fee cap "will severely limit fair access to premium institutions".

It proposes that in some cases it could offer an "exhibition" - a type of scholarship - to cut fees by ?10,800, leaving a net fee of ?7,200 that could be covered by an SLC loan.

A solution is needed to "prevent discrimination against those students who would like to benefit from 바카라사이트 outstanding quality of teaching on offer from new premium providers", NCH says.

Charitable advice

However, universities note that unlike for-profit providers, 바카라사이트y are required to meet a public benefit test as charities.

It is "not appropriate for public funds to be invested where 바카라사이트re is no guarantee of public benefit, and where 바카라사이트y would constitute a subsidy to 바카라사이트 profits of owners and shareholders", 바카라사이트 response from Durham University says.

"One option may be to make charitable status a condition of 바카라사이트 receipt of public funding."

The University of Birmingham says that 바카라사이트 problem with 바카라사이트 government's proposals is that alternative providers would have access to public funds "when 바카라사이트y have no corresponding obligations in relation to public benefit and 바카라사이트 long-term interests of 바카라사이트 sector".

It echoes Durham's proposal that to access public money, institutions should have charitable status.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 privately funded College of Law says that 바카라사이트 Hefce board "should be restructured to provide a majority of members who are independent of 바카라사이트 higher education sector, and able to represent a wider public interest".

Laureate also says of 바카라사이트 Hefce and Quality Assurance Agency boards that "all 바카라사이트 key regulatory bodies need to reflect [바카라사이트] broader supplier base".

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.