- Target:
- The whole of the UK
- Region:
- United Kingdom
The system by which students are allocated finances is largely based on their parents’ income. Those students, whose parents' income is above whatever limit, set by the government, will not receive anywhere near as much help as those whose parents do not earn quite so much.
I am a student; one of those who have not been entitled to ‘extra’ help during my A levels, in the form of Education Maintenance Allowance.
In contrast to the assumption that my parents would be in the position to and even take the action of giving me ‘hand-outs’, I went out & worked during the period that I was studying for my A Levels.
I cannot see how this system can be regarded as fair by anyone’s standards; rather it is making the, inaccurate, assumption that those with parents earning higher than the threshold set out by those in power, will be receiving great financial help from their parents.
Those in receipt of EMA had more time for private study should they so wish to do use it, & earnt, most probably, a near identical income each month to me, who spent my own time, working hard for minimal money while also trying to juggle college work. They had a financial incentive to get up & go to college; I merely had my eagerness to learn.
EMA was introduced due to the recognition that there is a financial barrier for some; if one wants to continue their education & is in such a dire situation, financially, one can get a part time job.
Young people receiving EMA receive £100 bonuses for good work and attendance! What about those other students who have worked so hard, had excellent attendance and worked for their money? They do not receive any financial bonus, though they seem to have earned it more, having juggled a job & their education, while others merely have to contend with their education!
I do not agree that education and money should be associated; education should be seen as valuable for what it is, not for the money that one is being paid to learn!
Students that attend university, receive a loan. When they are earning enough, they gradually pay back all of the money they owe-so where do the parents come into this equation? They do not, thus I am left wondering why one’s parents’ income is taken into consideration on deciding the amount of loan that one is entitled to.
The students at university will pay back their fees, loans, whatever they receive when they hit a certain salary, so why is everyone not entitled to the same amount of finance to live on during their time at university, which they will pay back when they are earning-not their parents may I add!
Student funding is largely based on the assumption that parents earning over a certain amount can afford to, and will fund their children throughout their education. This assumption is inaccurate.
I propose that the scheme of Education Maintenance Allowance be abolished; it is unfair-every student should be entitled, or nobody at all.
I propose that all students are offered the same amount of maintenance loan if living away from home(of course slightly more if living in London) & the same amount of maintenance loan if living at home. I propose that no student is offered a maintenance grant. That every NHS Student receives an NHS Bursary, or no NHS student receives one. That every NHS Student must pay their travel fees whilst on placement, or nobody does.
I propose that parents are taken out of the equation when considering one’s finances for university; I propose fairness for everyone.
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The Equal funding for all students petition to The whole of the UK was written by Sheraleigh Blackman and is in the category Education at GoPetition.