An expert panel led by Professor Sir Ian Diamond (vice chancellor of the University of Aberdeen) has said that a grant covering students’ tuition fees in Wales should be substituted with a living cost support.
In short, the panel ultimately believe that loans should replace the tuition fees grant. Some of the suggestions of the meeting were that; all students would receive a basic £1000 per annum before a means tested grant is awarded; learners from an average income family would receive £7000 a year and at the highest level, £9113, this would cover long-term living costs of eligible students from the lowest income households, equivalent to the National Living Wage.
There are also other proposals in the review which are all yet to be implemented.
The review has come from government officials addressing why living costs – as opposed to fees – are more of an issue for students, especially those from under privileged backgrounds. Ministers are concerned that students are finding the university experience unaffordable.
This being said, it is known that welsh students leave university with less debt than that of an English student.
Education secretary Kirsty Williams said: “We want to make sure that those who wish to go on to university are able to.
"The fear of not being able to meet the cost of living on a daily basis puts many off, not the prospect of paying back loans after they are in work.
"This system addresses that issue head on, but will also mean making tough decisions to make sure the system is sustainable in the long-term."
Professor Diamond said of the issue: “In contrast to England, where maintenance support for students will be based on loans, we propose a significant universal element of maintenance support for full-time students."
Prof Colin Riordan, Universities Wales chairman said the news was “extremely progressive and a unique opportunity for Wales”.