British Students’ Grants Raised

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30761, 27 May 1965, Page 4

British Students’ Grants Raised

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, May 25.

Student grants for Britain’s academic year 1965 to 1966 will be increased by between £2O and £45 a year each. The increases will apply to students at universities, colleges of education, and university departments of education.

The Department of Education and Science estimate that the increases will cost an extra £B| million by the academic year 1966 to 1967 when 250.000 students will receive a total of £lOO million in grants. The department is abolishing the difference in grants between “Oxbridge” (Oxford and Cambridge) and London University and will also raise the grant for students in lodgings to the same level as for those in college halls or hostels.

The new grant for resident students at Oxford, Cambridge, and London Universities is increased to £370 a year—£2s more. Other students get £340 a year (up £2O) or £275 (up £35) if they live at home. All increases will take effect from September 1. The largest increases for students at colleges of education go to those who live in their parents’ home, or in a home maintained by themselves.

Those living with their parents will get £295 instead of £250 and those maintaining a home will get £4OO instead of £355 in London, and £370 a year, instead of £325 a year, outside London.

Students who qualify for maintenance awards during vacations will get £3 10s a week, instead of £2. if they live at home, and £6 2s 6d a week, instead of £5, if they live away from home. The department is also making veterinary students eligible for the £l5 additional grant for buying instruments to which medical students are already entitled. “Woefully Inadequate”

Mr W. Savage, president of the National Union of Students, said: “Although we welcome an increase—and one is long overdue—these new grants are woefully inadequate. “They are effective as usual, for the next three years and they will not be enough.”