Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend the provision of loans and grants for (1) further, and (2) higher, education to all regardless of age, background or circumstance.

The government provides a comprehensive support package for students in further and higher education and reviews this support on an annual basis.

All eligible students, regardless of age and income, who are studying on undergraduate higher education courses qualify for up-front loans to meet the full costs of their tuition.

Likewise, eligible students aged 19 and over on further education courses qualify for Advanced Learner Loans to meet course fees. Those students can get help for other costs associated with study, such as childcare and travel, from the loans bursary fund which is administered by training providers. The loans bursary fund also provides learning support for those with disabilities.

Students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses and part-time degree level courses, and who are under the age of 60 on the first day of the first academic year of their course, qualify for partially means-tested loans as a contribution towards their living costs while studying. Those attending full-time courses who are aged 60 or over qualify for fully means-tested loans for living costs.

The current system of loans for living costs targets the greatest level of support at students from the lowest income families.

Full-time undergraduate students with adult or child dependants can apply for additional means-tested grant support. Full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students with disabilities can apply for non-means-tested disabled students’ allowances.

Students undertaking postgraduate masters and doctoral degree courses who are under the age of 60 on the first day of the first academic year of their course can apply for loans towards fee and course costs for the duration of their courses.

Maximum grants and loans for living and other costs, as well as postgraduate loans, have been increased by 2.9% for the current (2020/21) academic year. There will be a further 3.1% increase to undergraduate and postgraduate loans and undergraduate dependants’ grants in 2021/22 – taking these to record levels in cash terms.

For 2021/22, the undergraduate disabled students’ allowance, which is currently structured as four separate sub-allowances, is being simplified into one £25,000 allowance in line with the postgraduate disabled students’ allowance. This change introduces greater flexibility for disabled students in accessing the support that they need.