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07/02/2006
New Student Finance Package Unveiled
Students hoping to move into higher education can now work out exactly how tuition fees and new student support arrangements will affect them.
The new arrangements, which come into effect in September 2006 with the introduction of Variable Deferred Fees, are spelled out in detail in an information booklet launched by Minister for Employment and Learning, Angela Smith.
Highlighting the importance of increasing awareness of the student finance arrangements, Ms Smith said: "This booklet, which details the financial help that will be available for both new and existing students, is an essential reference for those already in higher education and those considering going to university from 2006.
"I want to ensure that potential students are not deterred from applying to enter higher education because they don't understand how the new arrangements in relation to fees, loans, grants and bursaries will affect them."
Acknowledging the need for high quality information to be made available to students, Damien Kavanagh, National Convenor for student representatives NUS-USI, said: "The student movement, acting in the best interests of our current and future members, is keen to ensure that information relating to the introduction of variable deferred fees is provided to as many of those members and their families. Although NUS-USI's opposition to the introduction of variable fees is well known, I believe that in order to best serve our members, we need to ensure they know how these arrangements will affect them."
The Minister concluded by highlighting the role of all stakeholders in the process and said: "I would like to thank NUS-USI, the universities, colleges, the Education and Library Boards, the Student Loans Company and other stakeholders for their involvement and support as we work towards the introduction of the new student support arrangements from September 2006. "We must continue to work together to ensure students are fully informed about the arrangements so that they, and those who advise them, understand how the system will affect them, thus helping them to make well informed choices about their future."
(CD)
The new arrangements, which come into effect in September 2006 with the introduction of Variable Deferred Fees, are spelled out in detail in an information booklet launched by Minister for Employment and Learning, Angela Smith.
Highlighting the importance of increasing awareness of the student finance arrangements, Ms Smith said: "This booklet, which details the financial help that will be available for both new and existing students, is an essential reference for those already in higher education and those considering going to university from 2006.
"I want to ensure that potential students are not deterred from applying to enter higher education because they don't understand how the new arrangements in relation to fees, loans, grants and bursaries will affect them."
Acknowledging the need for high quality information to be made available to students, Damien Kavanagh, National Convenor for student representatives NUS-USI, said: "The student movement, acting in the best interests of our current and future members, is keen to ensure that information relating to the introduction of variable deferred fees is provided to as many of those members and their families. Although NUS-USI's opposition to the introduction of variable fees is well known, I believe that in order to best serve our members, we need to ensure they know how these arrangements will affect them."
The Minister concluded by highlighting the role of all stakeholders in the process and said: "I would like to thank NUS-USI, the universities, colleges, the Education and Library Boards, the Student Loans Company and other stakeholders for their involvement and support as we work towards the introduction of the new student support arrangements from September 2006. "We must continue to work together to ensure students are fully informed about the arrangements so that they, and those who advise them, understand how the system will affect them, thus helping them to make well informed choices about their future."
(CD)
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