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RAMMELL UNVEILS NEW MEASURES TO SIMPLIFY DELIVERY OF STUDENT FINANCE
03 July 2006“Clearer information, faster decisions, timely payments and accurate repayments.” Higher Education students in England will be able to apply for student loans and grants online at the same time as applying for their place at university, under new plans announced by the Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell today. For the first time, potential students will be able to access financial support through an integrated student finance service which will be delivered by a single, national delivery organisation. This integrated service will be designed around their needs, allowing them to investigate the financial support available across a range of courses and apply for government backed loans and grants with ease at the same time as they are applying for a university place. Bill Rammell said: “Going to University can be exciting and life changing as well as academically and socially rewarding. We want to continue with our work to widening access to everyone academic potential. “I want students to understand that they don’t have to worry about how they will pay their fees and living costs: they can take out loans or grants and only have to begin paying back their loans once they are earning more than £15,000. The student finance service needs to be as simple and accessible as possible to students, parents and graduates. “As well as clearer information, faster decisions, timely payments and accurate repayments, the transformed service intends to provide taxpayers with better value for money by generating savings from delivery processes to be spent on other priorities.”The changes are the result of a review of higher education student finance delivery in England, which was published by the former Education Secretary Ruth Kelly in January. Following independent appraisal and consultation with key stakeholders, they will be phased in, starting with new students planning to enter higher education in 2009/10 academic year, and will include: • A redesigned, integrated assessment and payment service delivered by a reformed Student Loans Company, thereby providing customers with a more uniform, consistent level of service regardless of where they live in England; • high quality information, advice and guidance, including an online financial calculator for students, giving information about their entitlement to statutory support and allowing them to compare bursary offers from different institutions; and• much faster decisions and payments through an enhanced online service, designed around students and parents. The service will work out from the customer’s individual profile the steps they need to take, rather than the student having to work through lengthy forms and guidance notes. Loans will still be collected through the tax system and the existing HMRC/SLC partnership will also be strengthened and some processes improved to provide better customer service for graduates. The DfES will continue working closely with the Local Government Association and wider local authority community to ensure a good service is maintained during the transition period. The DfES will also consult further on delivery models for both the national and local provision of information, advice and guidance to students in the autumn.Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'
1. The Review of Higher Education Student Finance Delivery was published on 31 January (http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/hegateway/hereform/studentfinance/index.cfm). 2. The transformed service will be phased in over a number of years, starting with new students entering higher education in the 2009/10 academic year.3. The DfES will work closely with the Student Loans Company as the new service is developed, and with the Local Government Association and the wider local authority community to ensure a smooth transfer of functions to the Student Loans Company, and the maintenance of a good service to customers for whom authorities remain responsible during the transition period. Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2006/0093
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