I come from what the gov' class as a high income family. My parents earn over whatever it is that marks the cut off point, meaning I am given the lowest amount of maintenance loan - just over three thousand. I don't get any sort of grant, nor do I get the £1000 bursary that can be awarded for those who get ABB in their A-levels, because for some reason my parents' income means that I shouldn't have been rewarded for my hard work. Whatever. The low amount of loan that I am given means that I don't get enough money to cover my rent, let alone all the other stuff like books, food, and the non-necessities that make for a happy student lifestyle. For the record, I would also get the same amount of loan if I chose not to base it on my parents' income - for example, if I was estranged from them.
Personally, I would love to get a higher loan. I know that means I would accumulate more debt - but is it really a debt? You don't have to pay it back til you earn over 21K, and it doesn't stop you getting a mortgage or a credit card or any of that kinda stuff. It's not something that weighs you down; yeah it may be hanging over you, but it's so much of a background piece of your life that it honestly doesn't matter if you ask me, but nobody ever does.
Those people from low income families get a much higher loan than I do, AND a grant which isn't paid back, AND access to bursaries should they be eligible for them. Sure they'll have a bit more debt at the end of it (see above for my views etc) but at least they've been able to survive through uni. The government don't see each individual's circumstances, and seem to fail to realise that with a higher income comes higher outgoings: mortgages, holidays etc, and parents aren't there simply to fund their child's every wish.
So, with the new budget, grants are a thing of the past. Those from low income families will receive higher loans than ever before (£8,200) but lo and behold they'll actually have to pay it back. I fail to see why this is a negative thing in any way, personally. Correct me if I'm wrong but the premise behind going to university is to gain access to high income jobs in the future - paving the way to a life where you're earning well over 21K and are able to pay back that loan. Even if you can't pay back the loan, guess what? It doesn't matter. It doesn't affect anything! At all! Ever!
Allegedly, this new system will deter those from low income families from going to university at all - I just don't see why. They're still getting a hell of a lot more money than your average Joe like me (literally, an extra 5K in loans per year than what I get) but it just isn't free money any more. Well whoop de doo; the government, however shitty they are, don't owe you anything. Just because your parents earn less, that does not decrease your chance to take your degree and give yourself the brightest future ever.
Maybe this is a ramble and maybe it doesn't make that much sense, but having to go through uni with my 3K-per-year loan while some of my friends get around 7K each year that they spend on mkat and Nike trainers, it's kind of frustrating. Let me know your view (politely) because I'd love to know what other people think about this!
