Sheffield Hallam Students' Union strongly opposes the Government's plan to scrap maintenance grants for the poorest students and replace them with loans. We believe that this policy could impact negatively on these students, potentially burdening them with even higher levels of debt. 

 

For a student with a family income which is below £25,000, the removal of the grants will mean losing out on over £3,000 each academic year, or more than £10,000 over the course of a three year degree. 

 

In a climate where students can already incur high fees, rent prices and living costs, we feel that this policy does not positively aid students, will increase student debt and could also further discourage those from low income backgrounds from attending university.

 

We believe that higher education should be accessible to all in an equal and fair manner. This policy could limit access to higher education to only those students who can afford it.

 

As a Students' Union, we will work with the NUS and other relevant student organisations who share our core values to campaign against these changes, and we will work with the University to ensure Sheffield Hallam students continue to get the support they need during their studies.   

 

For more information please contact Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union’s Education Officer at uuseducation@shu.ac.uk.