£7,250 boost for poorest students

STUDENTS from the poorest families will receive £7,250 a year in new support from next year, according to the Education Secretary.

Those whose family income is less than £17,000 would be eligible for the money through bursaries and loans, Michael Russell has said.

All students, whatever their circumstances, are eligible for a student loan of £4,500 a year.

Part-time students with an income of less than £25,000 a year will have the cost of their tuition fees met, up to the equivalent rate of fee support for full-time courses, he also said. The minister announced the funding as he visited Glasgow University to see it’s Reach programme, which helps young people realise their ambition to attend university.

NUS Scotland welcomed the news.