STUDENT finance maintenance grants will increase in September to support those in higher education with the cost of living.
Children’s and Education Minister Inna Gardiner is due to sign an amendment to the Education (Grants and Allowances) (Jersey) Order 2018 later in the spring to enact the increase.
It is not the first time Deputy Gardiner has announced a rise in maintenance grants since taking office.
Last September, all students received a 2.9% increase – while in December, all students studying off-Island and independent students studying on-Island also received a 7.2% rise.
The latest increase – 3.8% – means that some students will receive £1,072 more than they would have done in September 2021.
The latter rise came in the wake of a JEP article that highlighted the struggles faced by parents and university students, who called on the government for extra financial support to tackle the rising cost of living, energy bills and expensive flights to and from the UK.
The cost of living in Jersey rose by 12.7% last year – the biggest increase in inflation since the early 1980s.
Deputy Gardiner said: ‘Student Finance is – for many students – the additional support that enables them to study for a degree, especially those who are studying off-Island.
‘I want to make sure that the maintenance grant rises in line with the cost of living, especially for students who are studying independently.’
She added: ‘I will also continue to work with officers to look at the system as a whole, and consider how we can provide the most fair, targeted support going forwards. Any changes will be designed to offer the same level – or more – financial support. Changes will also be automatically applied to the grant calculation, so I would urge Islanders to apply for Student Finance as soon as they can.’
All students who receive Student Finance maintenance grants will be eligible, including those who study off-Island as well as independent and dependent students studying on-Island.
Once an application is received, the increase will automatically be included when grants are calculated ahead of the new academic year – meaning students do not need to delay their application to receive the extra payment.
Applications for Student Finance for 2023 opened on 1 January.
