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Islanders are being urged to give their comments on major plans to help fund Jersey's uni students, which were announced as part of Budget 2018.
From next September, tuition fees for students in higher education will be paid in full for households with an income of less than £150,000, and half for those with an income above £150,000.
The maximum maintenance grants for under graduates is also being increased by £500 to £6,500, available to those with an income under £50,000. This will be steadily reduced to those earning up to £95,000.
The new scheme will be paid by existing States funds for the first two years, but also from the Higher Child Allowance which some families can claim while their children are at university. This will be stopped in 2021 and phased out until then.
The Education Department expects this to generate an extra £3.5 million.
The Education Minister, Deputy Rod Bryans, said: “I know this is an important issue to many people and I am already hearing from families that are hugely relieved at the prospect of extra financial help from the States. However, this can only go ahead if we are sure of public support so I urge islanders to take part whether they are students, graduates or parents. We also hope to capture the views of students who are home for Christmas.”
A student loan scheme was ruled out, but it's hoped this plan will enable more families to gain financial support. But anyone with concerns or questions about the proposal can now put them to States over the next month.
Facebook campaigners 'Student Loan Support Group' are urging people to have their say on the scheme.
The Treasury Minister, Senator Alan Maclean, said: “The next step will be to receive a report on the consultation responses in the new year. We will need to move quickly to assess the comments, fine-tune the finance model and prepare a proposition for consideration by the States as soon as possible. It is an extremely ambitious timescale but students need our support and we would like to have a new system in place by the start of the next academic year.”
Comments can be submitted online at https://survey.gov.je/s/unifunding
Education and Treasury representatives will be available at drop in sessions at Jersey Library on these dates:
The States are due to debate the student loan proposal after the consultation.
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