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08/11/11

Schools, colleges and universities in England pull together to fight university fees confusion

Schools, colleges and universities around England will work together on 14 November 2011 on the first ever national Student Finance Day. The campaign aims to ensure prospective students understand how the new student finance package works before they make a decision as to whether they can afford to go to university.

A series of talks and events will be held at colleges and universities all around England to ensure prospective students, parents and teachers have the right information and tools to understand the cost of going university in England.

The Independent Taskforce on Student Finance Information, National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMA) and the Higher Education Liaison Officers Association (HELOA), who have organised the day, believe it is important to dispel misconceptions about student debt and to counter negative press headlines, especially as students begin applying for university places under the new 2012 finance system.

Martin Lewis, head of the Independent Task Force on Student Finance Information and founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, said:

"The perception of student loan debt in 2012 is hugely misunderstood. Prospective students are making their decision based on headline fee levels rather than how much it.s actually likely to cost them. Many students, especially from lower income families are unnecessarily being put off. We need ensure they understand how it really works so they can make an informed decision.

We want to help with the great work I know is already happening in many schools to try and explain what the changes will mean and how they.ll work. As part of this we.ve picked a day to try and focus the attention, and that will see schools, colleges, universities and money advisors all work together to make things happen."

Liam Owens, Chair of Higher Education Liaison Officers Association (HELOA), said:

"The financial aspect of going to university is an important consideration for potential students - but it is not the only consideration. We hope Student Finance Day will help students and parents understand the cost of going to university and then allow them to make an informed choice about their future."

For more information about activities happening as part of Student Finance Day visit http://www.studentfinance2012.com

University of Wolverhampton

http://www.wlv.ac.uk/default.aspx?page=28364

Birmingham City University

http://www.bcu.ac.uk/student-info/finance-and-money-matters/studentfinanceday

Liverpool John Moores University

http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/NewsUpdate/index_121135.htm

Loughborough University

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/feesandfinancialsupport/student-finance-day/

Nottingham Trent University

http://www.studentfinance2012.com/files/NottinghamNottsTrentStudentFinanceDay_event_poster-flyer.pdf

University of Nottingham