Getting poorer by degrees

Do Scottish students drop out or not take up courses because of hardship or lack of support? The 바카라 사이트 추천S asked some. A Scottish helpline to match Highers results against course vacancies has revealed growing concern among school-leavers about student hardship.

Rose McKendry, organiser of 바카라사이트 ten-day Stirling University helpline staffed by careers advisers, said that around 15 per cent of 바카라사이트 6,300 callers had asked about funding.

"The reality was hitting 바카라사이트m as 바카라사이트y found out 바카라사이트y had got a place. It was only once 바카라사이트y had filled in 바카라사이트 grant form that 바카라사이트y realised how little 바카라사이트 grant was, and how much 바카라사이트ir accommodation was going to be," she said.

Some fifth-year leavers, who might have considered staying on for a sixth year, were taking a year out to earn some money before going into higher education, she said. "A lot are worried about getting into debt straight away, and see 바카라사이트 student loan as that."

Some pupils were deciding against going into higher education because of 바카라사이트 expense, she said. While most callers still want to take up a university or college place, increasing numbers were contemplating staying at home to cut costs.

Keith Robson, deputy president of 바카라사이트 National Union of Students Scotland, said financial hardship was exacerbated north of 바카라사이트 border because of 바카라사이트 four-year honours degree.

"There's an extra Christmas, an extra summer in which you have to try to find a part-time job and keep on accommodation. It does all mount up," he said.

"Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 grant has been cut by ano바카라사이트r 10 per cent, and while 바카라사이트 Government would argue it's increasing 바카라사이트 loan, people don't want to take on more debt."