Under proposals outlined by Treasury Minister Alan Maclean during Tuesday’s Budget debate, all families who have a household income under £150,000 would have access to a full grant while any households earning above that will be able to have 50 per cent of their tuition fees covered.
Senator Maclean also said that he would be extending the grants awarded to cover living costs while studying to capture more higher education students.
He said: ‘Extending Jersey’s current grant system is a better option than a loan scheme.’
He added that a grant system would free university students from the burden of debt and that a consultation period will now begin to discuss the proposals with students and families.
Treasury Minister @AlanMacleanJsy announces grants for students’ tuition fees to all eligible students. Households with income less than £150,000 will have a grant for 100% of their tuition fees. households with income of £150,000 and above will receive 50% of tuition fees.
— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) November 28, 2017
Announcing the plans during the Budget debate, and explaining how it would be funded, Treasury Minister Alan Maclean said: ‘Currently the Higher Rate (Child) Allowance is provided to parents of students in higher education.
‘The allowance is currently worth about £3.5 million per annum and I plan to announce the removal of this allowance in next year’s Budget
‘This money will go directly towards funding student grants from 2020 onwards.
‘I believe that extending Jersey’s current grant-based system is a better option than the introduction of a loan scheme
‘We will avoid burdening our students and their families with additional debt, incurring the costs of administration and adding further borrowing to the States’ balance sheet.
‘The plans I have announced today will go out for consultation including the local student population and their families.’
He added: ‘Overall this extra investment in our children, will be found from within existing resources in 2018 and 2019.
‘On an ongoing basis additional funds will have to be found at about £4m pa and would need to be agreed by the next States Assembly.’
