Students Get The Facts On Going To University In 2012

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An army of recent graduates are hitting the road to tell students about the changes to the university finance system coming into effect next year.

Graduates will lead the Student Finance Tour giving presentations to explain the new student finance system and the financial help that is available. Students and their families will also be offered one-to-one advice about going to university.

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts today joined English Literature and Drama graduate Holly Hughes at Exeter College for one of the first presentations.

Mr Willetts said:

"Recent graduates are ideally placed to give prospective students the facts about going to university. Having just graduated they can not only explain the student finance system, but they can also give that all important insight into what university life is all about.

"We want to make sure no one is put off applying to university because they do not have information about the new student finance system. Students need to know that most new undergraduates will not pay upfront costs, there will be more financial support for those from low-income families and everyone will make lower loan repayments than they do now once they are in well paid work."

Holly Hughes said:

"Going to university has given me amazing life skills and career prospects. I would recommend that anybody thinking about going should go for it!

"Anybody considering applying to university in 2012 should bear in mind that although the loan taken out will be larger than before, the repayment system is a lot easier to manage resulting in more disposable income."

The Student Finance School and College Tour aims to visit over 2,300 schools, FE and sixth form colleges across England in run up to the UCAS application deadline on 15 January 2012.

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