University fee plan for poorer students 'not workable'

Ministers proposed that students from disadvantaged backgrounds could have one year paid by the state, matched by another from their university. Universities UK chief executive Nicola Dandridge said such a scheme would hit some institutions harder than others. Three days before MPs decided on the government's controversial plans, ministers announced they were looking to use a £150 million fund to provide a year's free tuition for poorer students. Then the university will provide another year's study free of charge. The proposal was thought to have helped persuade some Lib Dem MPs to support the government. The Lib Dem came under intense pressure from students after promising to abolish tuition fees in their election manifesto, before forming the coalition. Ms Dandridge said in practice the government's proposals would be "difficult and counterproductive". Poorer students were concentrated in the new universities which would find themselves having to pay out millions of pounds to provide free tuition, she said. Cash for the new fund - set aside for pupils who were eligible for free schools meals - would come from the National Scholarship Programme already announced. Under the plans, universities charging more than £6,000 a year could be forced to pay such students' fees for a second year. Ministers believe up to 18,000 students could ultimately benefit. Free school meals are available to families claiming certain benefits and are given to around 80,000 pupils in each school year. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said plans to help poorer students were still being developed.

Reaction:

Students have all the right to fight for what they believe is unfair. Now the government have came with a new plan, to help poor students the first 2 years of their career in a university. They will pay the tuition of the first year and the second year the university will do it.  I think this is not the best solution. Everyone should have the same rights, I know that there are poor students who cannot pay their studies, but how will the government know who are they. Maybe the parents of a student have money but the student is doing everything by himself, without any help of them. So I really hope the Government make other plans or just abolish the tuition fees which are really unfair for the students in general.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12141552