MSE News: Student tuition fees could treble by 2012

Madmonk

Isn't it amazing that every one of the politicians that are proposing this rise have been to uni for free! And each one of them are rich enough not to worry about how their children are going to fund their uni degree's.

MM

Poolie

Renya wrote: »

Wow, obviously as a student I'm pretty angry about this, but I'm curious as to what these "exceptional circumstances" that would allow universities to charge full price would be.

I'm also confused about when these fees will come into force, I graduate in 2013 so would I have to pay higher fees during my final year or will I still be charged the capped rate? I've been told a bit of conflicting evidence on this.

I suspect you will be caught in your last year for the higher fees depending on your university

mum2many

Does anyone know how it works if your already at uni when the hike comes in?

My daughter is applying to go from sept 11 so could possibly have 1 year at the 3K level then 2 at the 6K level.

We are on average wage but would be unable to help her financially (husband been out of work for almost 2 years so got mortgage arears to pay off)

As we are in the middle money wise, not rich enough to have no money worries(like the mps bringing it in) and not on little or no wage (like SOME(not all) benefit scroungers) i dont think we would get any help through scholarships etc

crystaltipps

Just because you don't want a degree or are not motivated or clever enough for a degree does not mean you don't avail yourself of the services of people with degree level education on a regular basis.

If you need a health professional, they have a degree. If you have children that go to school, their teachers have a degree. If you eat and drink out, or buy food from the supermarket, then someone with a degree is in charge of making sure the premises are of an acceptable standard to produce the food without killing you. If you avail yourself of the latest drugs and treatments on the market, then someone with a degree has done the research and trials to get them there. If you need financial advice, anyone reputable has got a degree...same with solicitors and legal advisers. I could drone on but I am sure you get the jist.

I have two daughters, aged 12 and 14 and they will almost certainly be priced out of the chance to get one, and therefore provide themselves with a career and possibly society a service yet they are both more than clever enough and ambitious enough to get a degree and a career.

Just because YOU don't want one, doesn't mean others who do should be denied the opportunity through financial constraints.

And one final aside - most people with degrees earn more....so they pay more taxes and national insurance. As well as the loans that are now an obligation.

wobblymummy

mum2many wrote: »

Does anyone know how it works if your already at uni when the hike comes in?

My daughter is applying to go from sept 11 so could possibly have 1 year at the 3K level then 2 at the 6K level.

We are on average wage but would be unable to help her financially (husband been out of work for almost 2 years so got mortgage arears to pay off)

As we are in the middle money wise, not rich enough to have no money worries(like the mps bringing it in) and not on little or no wage (like SOME(not all) benefit scroungers) i dont think we would get any help through scholarships etc

I would really like a definitive answer to this question too. I am a mum of two who has just returned to education, I am doing a Foundation course then I start my 3 year degree in HR next year. I have read that if you are already studying your fees wont increase its only for those who start 2012 or after, it would be good to get a concrete answer though.

Some of the comments on here are very nasty and bitter. Why shouldnt I want an education, I would have loved to go to Uni when I was younger but family circumstances dictated that I couldnt. My husband has just qualified as a nurse and its never too late to learn imo.

Oldernotwiser

mum2many wrote: »

Does anyone know how it works if your already at uni when the hike comes in?

My daughter is applying to go from sept 11 so could possibly have 1 year at the 3K level then 2 at the 6K level.

We are on average wage but would be unable to help her financially (husband been out of work for almost 2 years so got mortgage arears to pay off)

As we are in the middle money wise, not rich enough to have no money worries(like the mps bringing it in) and not on little or no wage (like SOME(not all) benefit scroungers) i dont think we would get any help through scholarships etc

If this is the case then she'll just have a larger student loan; you wouldn't need to pay anything extra up front.

Oldernotwiser

crystaltipps wrote: »

If you need a health professional, they have a degree. If you have children that go to school, their teachers have a degree. If you eat and drink out, or buy food from the supermarket, then someone with a degree is in charge of making sure the premises are of an acceptable standard to produce the food without killing you. If you avail yourself of the latest drugs and treatments on the market, then someone with a degree has done the research and trials to get them there. If you need financial advice, anyone reputable has got a degree...same with solicitors and legal advisers. I could drone on but I am sure you get the jist.

That is the case at the present but it's a comparatively recent phenomenon, partly caused by the over expansion of HE but also because of the collapse of educational standards in the UK.

As far as your daughters go, there's no reason for them to be "priced out" of HE so long as the increases are fully funded by loans.

johnswife

Oldernotwiser, doesn't the amount of the loans/grant depend on parents income?

JAYk_2

So after all this moaning and graoning what's going to happen?

crystaltipps

I appreciate your point Older. I know all about student debt - I will hopefully graduate myself in 2012. When I do, I will be looking at earning a reasonable income on graduation. I will also be paying back approximately 27-28 grand eventually. I knew this when I decided to return to study after years of doing dead end jobs for low pay. I decided to get a degree because I want to demonstrate to my children that study and hard work equal success - as well as for my own financial benefit of course! I will also be 'escaping' the trap of low income and WTC/CTC top up.

It does mean though, that if I do get a good job, maybe between 20-25 grand (entry level pay in a lot of positions I will be applying for).

This means I will be over the income acceptable for the girls to have full benefit of the 'low income' families support. But, I will be unable to dedicate big portions of my income to supporting the girls in their endeavors.

Even if they did get the financial support needed - they will be graduating with debt that equals the price of a two bedroom terrace property, or apartment in our area.

Surely, I can't be the only person that thinks saddling young people with debt equivalent to a house in our area is acceptable. Especially when these changes are implemented by (as already mentioned) people that had the benefit of free education and the ability to ensure money is not an issue if their own children decide on a degree education.

I wanted to go and join the protest in London next week. Unfortunately, though, I have an exam at 10.30am on the day, so will be protesting (pointless though it may be) by writing to my MP instead.

Or maybe I should get into politics - it seems to be a good earner! :-)