STUDENTS applying for financial support for higher education will receive confirmation of their grants earlier under changes approved by the new Education Minister.
A ministerial decision signed by Deputy Catherine Curtis will change both the timing and the method used to review student maintenance grants and the income thresholds that determine eligibility for means-tested support.
The move is intended to ensure students receive information about their funding sooner, giving them more time to plan and budget before the academic year begins.
The revised process will see maintenance grants reviewed using the UK Consumer Price Index for September, rather than December.
Income thresholds will instead be linked to Statistics Jersey’s Index of Average Earnings, using actual earnings data rather than forecasts.
The move aims to “better reflect real income trends” and reduce the need for further administrative adjustments when forecasts differ from actual wage growth.
The changes are expected to take effect during this year’s review cycle and will apply to grants awarded from September 2027 onwards.
The revised approach will “preserve the policy intent of the scheme”, ensuring support continues to reflect the economic climate while helping to keep higher education affordable.
The changes are primarily administrative and will have no material impact on funding.
