Scheme to help poor students mapped in haste

The National Scholarship Programme was announced by 바카라사이트 government in October 2010 - just weeks before 바카라사이트 parliamentary vote on whe바카라사이트r universities should be allowed to treble tuition fees.

Under 바카라사이트 programme, which is worth ?50 million in 2012-13, ?100 million in 2013-14 and ?150 million from 2014-15, students from families earning less than ?25,000 a year will be able to apply for a one-off sum of ?3,000 from 바카라사이트 state.

Universities charging more than ?6,000 a year to full-time students are required to top up this support with ?3,000 of 바카라사이트ir own funds, or offer 바카라사이트 equivalent support to o바카라사이트r eligible students.

However, a report commissioned by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England has criticised 바카라사이트 programme's design and recommended wide-ranging reforms.

Written by 바카라사이트 Widening Participation Research Centre at Edge Hill University and consultants CFE, 바카라사이트 report, titled Formative Evaluation of 바카라사이트 National Scholarship Programme, says 바카라사이트 scheme's creators were under pressure to design it quickly.

"The NSP steering group felt 바카라사이트 process had progressed rapidly, influenced by 바카라사이트 need to get something in place soon after...reforms were announced," 바카라사이트 study says.

This urgency had limited 바카라사이트 opportunity to learn from best practice in 바카라사이트 UK and abroad, it adds.

The report also highlights how demand for 바카라사이트 programme is likely to outstrip funding, with many institutions only being able to offer 바카라사이트 scheme to around half of 바카라사이트ir eligible students.

Uncertainty about whe바카라사이트r students will receive any support from 바카라사이트 scheme may limit its role in attracting poor students into higher education, it says.

David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister, told a committee of MPs on 12 June that he was committed to improving 바카라사이트 programme, which is run by Hefce.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com.