Grants for Wales’s poorest and disabled students are being cut by 15% in real terms. The Assembly Learning Grant, a means-tested grant which the Welsh Assembly introduced for university students in 2010, is being reduced from £5,600 to £5,000 for students starting in September of this year.
The Welsh government is slashing the Special Support Grant, which aids disabled students, mature and international students, and single parents, by the same amount.
Although the National Bursary scheme is being re-introduced this year, it only provides some support to a smaller number of students. Welsh students also face higher tuition fees, higher rates on their student loans and 20% cutbacks in the number of available university places.
Youth Fight for Jobs Wales demands:
- Restore funding to Assembly Learning Grant (ALG), Special Support Grant (SSG) and the Education Maintenance Allowance, (EMA).
- Bring back free education – living grants, not loans, for all students.
- Link students, the unemployed and workers together for a fighting campaign against all public sector cuts and job losses.
