The government decided to cut back on grants for students from middle-income families due to a shortfall in funding.
At least 80 000 undergraduates will lose grants of up to £534 a year. This is because the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skilled underestimated in the past year how many were eligible, resulting in a £200 million black hole in the budget.
Paul Dwyer, the OUSU Access Officer, said, “it is strange that the government is encouraging widening participation on one hand, and then effectively cutting off maintenance support to students.”
