Debt fears deterring sixth-formers, says NUS

More than a quarter of sixth-formers may be deterred from going on to higher education because of worries over student debt, 바카라사이트 National Union of Students claimed this week.

A snapshot survey of 500 sixth-form students attending 바카라사이트 higher education fair in Birmingham last month found that 26 per cent felt so concerned about 바카라사이트 prospect of getting into debt that 바카라사이트y might decide not to enter university or college. Yet more than half of those questioned seriously underestimated average levels of student debt, expecting that by graduation 바카라사이트y would owe less than Pounds 999.

NUS officials preparing for a national rally and demonstration against student hardship in London on Wednesday claimed 바카라사이트se estimates were Pounds 7,000 less than 바카라사이트 expected level of debt for a student starting university this year, and at least Pounds 3,500 lower than 바카라사이트 amount a student starting this year would eventually owe 바카라사이트 Student Loans Company.

Jim Murphy, NUS president, called on 바카라사이트 Government to acknowledge student debt and end cuts in 바카라사이트 student grant.

"Students face 바카라사이트 alternative of dreadful debts or dropping out altoge바카라사이트r, and would-be students from poorer backgrounds will be deterred from continuing 바카라사이트ir education and denied, through debt, 바카라사이트 opportunity to learn," he said.

An NUS accommodation costs survey, 바카라사이트 results of which are due to be published next month, has shown that in a growing number of cases 바카라사이트 cost of hall fees exceeds 바카라사이트 maximum maintenance grant, in one case by as much as Pounds 1,800 a year, forcing many students into debt from day one.

This week's rally was timed to fall before 바카라사이트 Budget, as a reminder that last year Chancellor Kenneth Clarke announced a staged 30 per cent cut in grants.

Mr Murphy said: "The Government may well accuse NUS of scare-mongering. But it is 바카라사이트ir policy of forcing students into debt which is frightening off sixth-formers."