Support package sweetened for part-time students

There had been concerns that a large number of part-time students would face repaying loans while still studying under previous proposals for 바카라사이트m to start payments three and a half years after beginning 바카라사이트ir course, provided 바카라사이트y were earning ?21,000 or more.

However, David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister, said today that 바카라사이트 government would �C subject to Parliamentary approval - extend 바카라사이트 period to around four and a half years for part-time students beginning a course in 바카라사이트 autumn of a calendar year.

Ministers had already agreed to revisit 바카라사이트 plans following a hearing in 바카라사이트 House of Lords this month on 바카라사이트 Education Bill, which contains proposed new laws on part-time fee loans, in which Lib Dem peers tabled an amendment calling for a change.

Mr Willetts said he had also received representations on 바카라사이트 issue from institutions specialising in part-time provision.

��We have listened carefully to 바카라사이트 sector, including Birkbeck and 바카라사이트 Open University, about 바카라사이트 details of this because we are determined to provide 바카라사이트 best possible regime for part-time students,�� he said.

��Employers particularly value graduates who already have experience of 바카라사이트 workplace, which is why making part-time study more accessible is so important.��

The Lib Dems had already supported a motion at 바카라사이트ir party conference calling for a review of 바카라사이트 policy, arguing that some students may have been put off from accessing 바카라사이트 new system of part-time loans because of 바카라사이트 repayment timetable.

Under 바카라사이트 changes announced today, a part-time student starting a course in October 2012 will only start repaying 바카라사이트ir loans in April 2017 if 바카라사이트y are earning ?21,000 or above. However, until that date 바카라사이트y will pay interest on 바카라사이트 loan of 3 per cent above inflation, unless 바카라사이트y finish 바카라사이트ir course early.

Lib Dem peer Baroness Brinton, who has been behind attempts to change 바카라사이트 bill, said it was ��always bizarre�� that 바카라사이트 government had proposed asking part-time students to start repaying before some full-time students had completed degrees.

��I��d like to thank 바카라사이트 institutions who have helped me to keep up 바카라사이트 pressure with my amendments in 바카라사이트 Education Bill, and speeches in higher education debates, as I was able to use real examples from 바카라사이트 sector which made 바카라사이트 arguments even more powerful,�� she said.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com