'Unlimited tuition fees – does that mean unlimited student loans?' blog discussion

Poolie

crumpsall wrote: »

Still awaiting the detail to emerge, but we have already seen that a Government can unilaterally alter the terms of existing loans, apparently at will, by regulation (the 2009 regulations enabled them to avoid the promise previously given of tracking inflation).

We believed that my son's 2006 contract was based on the Student Loan Guide to Terms & Conditions booklet, which said "The aim is to maintain the value, in real terms, of the outstanding amount of the loan. This means that however long it takes you to repay your loan, you will repay no more, in real terms, than you actually borrowed." Then inflation went negative, so the rules were altered by the 2009 'Regulation', which wasn't even debated in the Commons.

Having broken one promise, what is to stop any Government in future imposing 'commercial' rates of interest on existing loans?

One suspects that there is little that can be done to help future students avoid unfair and unwelcome changes. But what can be done to hold the Government to the terms of the contracts that current and former students signed?

Although the regulations are not debated on the floor of the house of commons they are debated by a delegated legislation committee before they are put for approval on the floor of the house at the end of each days business.

I have questioned my MP on this previously as it unfortunately legal which is very annoying. If they debated all the legislation (primary and secondary) on the floor of the house they would be sitting 24x7 (mmm not a bad idea! more bang for our buck from the MPs - less time to buy duck houses)

Poolie

Student101 wrote: »

Hi,

I was wondering Was there any mention of postgraduate courses (Masters) rising in price?

And what happens if you are currently studying the first year of your degree now, will the second year be raised up to the new rate of (6-7k) or will you continue to pay the current 'capped' uni fee of £3290? :think:

Thank you!

Postgraduate course rates are not controlled or monitored by the Government and are set by the universities. This is a case of cost versus number of students on course.

Cheaper the course the more students they get so more money.
More expensive the course the less students

tryinghardtosave_3

I think the first thing that the government should have done to save money would be to iron out existing anomalies with regard to who is eligible for grants. My husband and I are happily married, he earns a reasonable amount so our children are not eligible for EMA or any grants. We know several families where the families are very wealthy, (live in million pound houses) but the parents are divorced or separated. This means that the kids usually just have the mum living at home with them and their income is often under the threshold so suddenly their kids get the EMA while at sixth form college, and full grants once at uni, which then usually entitles them to busaries and further assistance from the university itself. The fathers are still around, still support their families but because they do not live in the same house, their income does not come into the equation at all. I've apologised to my children for still being married to their dad - it seems to put you at a distinct disadvantage. We would be better off if hubby left home! Apart from that, the other great unfair situation is the free education available to scottish students AND to students from other EU countries apart from England and Wales when studying at a scottish uni! Why is it free to EU students except us? Rant over!

sjanuary

If students are graduating with loans of £40k and higher then I would expect that a significant number will not repay the full amount over their working lifetime and will essentially be paying a 9% top-up tax for their whole career.

This would definitely have made me think twice about uni.

3puppies

this lady says exactly what ive been ranting on about as we to are in this situation it doesnt pay to be happily married!!!and im worrying myself sick with how the hell my son will manage to pay for everything as we certainly are not wealthy but according to the system we are!!!! get divorced claim benefits and get the kids help that they have worked hard in school for!!! ok rant over :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

tryinghardtosave wrote: »

I think the first thing that the government should have done to save money would be to iron out existing anomalies with regard to who is eligible for grants. My husband and I are happily married, he earns a reasonable amount so our children are not eligible for EMA or any grants. We know several families where the families are very wealthy, (live in million pound houses) but the parents are divorced or separated. This means that the kids usually just have the mum living at home with them and their income is often under the threshold so suddenly their kids get the EMA while at sixth form college, and full grants once at uni, which then usually entitles them to busaries and further assistance from the university itself. The fathers are still around, still support their families but because they do not live in the same house, their income does not come into the equation at all. I've apologised to my children for still being married to their dad - it seems to put you at a distinct disadvantage. We would be better off if hubby left home! Apart from that, the other great unfair situation is the free education available to scottish students AND to students from other EU countries apart from England and Wales when studying at a scottish uni! Why is it free to EU students except us? Rant over!

poet123

3puppies wrote: »

this lady says exactly what ive been ranting on about as we to are in this situation it doesnt pay to be happily married!!!and im worrying myself sick with how the hell my son will manage to pay for everything as we certainly are not wealthy but according to the system we are!!!! get divorced claim benefits and get the kids help that they have worked hard in school for!!! ok rant over :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

:T:T:T I agree. This whole issue needs addressing, you leave the parent not the child, why should your income not be counted? My kids had quite wealthy friends who got EMA and yet they were still subsidised by their fathers.

We have put 3 sons through Uni, and have another one aged 13...we will be caught up on the loss of CB (which I agree with) and this rise in Tutition fees, which I abhor. In fact I cannot say how angry I am at this, our youngsters have been sold down the river for expediency, and to pay for the mistakes of others.

Yet again a Manifesto issue has been disregarded, and lied about by politicians.

Stop funding an insane war, cut back Whitehall overspending, and back our young achievers.

looby38

I think its strange that the change in tuition fee's can be seen as fair. The people in charge of making such decisions all come from a time when they didn't have to take loans out for tuition fee's, when student grants were given not loans and well paid jobs were easy to come by. How about the change comes from taxing those who were subject to such a priviledge instead of targeting those of us now who are willing to take on some sort of debt at a reasonable cost (presently).
Also, those who are high earning graduates do pay more unless I am mistaken its called income tax!!

GlasWolf

looby38 wrote: »

The people in charge of making such decisions all come from a time when they didn't have to take loans out... How about the change comes from taxing those who were subject to such a priviledge

I think you've answered your own question, Looby.

Student101

Poolie wrote: »

Postgraduate course rates are not controlled or monitored by the Government and are set by the universities. This is a case of cost versus number of students on course.

Cheaper the course the more students they get so more money.
More expensive the course the less students

Thanks for the reply.

Does anyone know if the new cost of university fees will affect people already in university or just the new people joining next year?

dinesh686

Hey ariarnia I want to talk about Doctor Who ebooks.(Can't send PMs.I'm new.Need help)