| With much talk about reintroducing student | | | | courses is a big reason why many are choosing |
| grants in the UK, this article discusses the | | | | to go straight into employment from school or |
| pros and cons of such an action. What does it | | | | college. For those who do enroll at |
| mean for the taxpayer? What does it mean for | | | | universities, the start to their working life |
| the student? Have your say... | | | | usually consists of a minimum debt of |
| | | | £10,000. What kind of a start is that, we |
| Since student grants were abolished, there | | | | may ask? |
| has always been talk of them being | | | | |
| reintroduced. There are those who feel there | | | | Then there are those who do not want to see |
| is a growing gap between the middle classes & | | | | student grants reintroduced. Many of these |
| the working classes in regard to university | | | | are taxpayers who feel their hard-earned |
| education. Bringing back these grants would | | | | money shouldn't be going to fund students' |
| hopefully attract more students from working | | | | bar-bills. Some feel that providing grants |
| class backgrounds. Unfortunately, at the | | | | encourages those who would otherwise have not |
| moment, for many the university fees are just | | | | enrolled, to enjoy 4 years of partying and |
| unattainable, especially for those whose | | | | heavy drinking, with little regard for the |
| families have a history of debt problems. | | | | degree at the end. By forcing students to pay |
| Through no fault of their own, they are being | | | | out of their own pocket, they are bound to |
| denied a good education. | | | | have more motivation and dedication. |
| | | | |
| There is also an argument that these grants | | | | Perhaps the answer lies in-between. The most |
| are the best way to tackle to growing gap | | | | intriguing solution I have heard is one where |
| between the number of expanding places in | | | | the grant is based on the degree being |
| universities and the number of student | | | | obtained. Much more refinement is needed, but |
| applicants. Even for those who can afford the | | | | we can say for certain that the current |
| fees, or at least get accepted for student | | | | set-up just isn't working. |
| loans, the mounting debt at the end of their | | | | |