Poor students need help

A report from the Office for Fair Access (Offa) and the Higher Education Funding Council for England revealed that universities are not spending enough to attract students from disadvantaged homes and on supporting them while they are at university.

The report reveals that 35,000 students have received help from a government-funded scholarship program, but 58 institutions narrowed their criteria below the £25,000 household income national criteria, in some cases down to £16,000 – meaning that many students from disadvantaged backgrounds missed out on the scholarship fund.

At Warwick, a student from an annual income family of up to £25,000 can receive a fee waiver of £2,000 from the Warwick National Scholarship program.

They can also receive a bursary of £2,500. This means the most economically-dependent students can receive up to £13,500 in financial help over three years, and up to £18,000 for four years.

However, second-year Will Carruthers said more should be done for middle class students: “I think as a university, Warwick does offer good support to those who need it and for international students.

“But there are a lot of people I know who are paying the increased tuition fees and will be really struggling – they get no help at all.

“I think the Government forgets about those in the middle.”

One student who wished to remain anonymous agreed: “I get good financial support from the government because my parents are separated, but my family doesn’t struggle.

“I do feel bad on some of my friends whose parents earn less, but because they are still together, they aren’t entitled to as much.”

However, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills told the Guardian: “Universities know their students best. Each has its own mission and priorities.

“It is right that they should tailor their approach to suit their own particular circumstances and those of their students within the national guidelines.”