UCU calls for national bursary scheme as report finds danger of greater inequality

Responding to a report from the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) looking at the impact, awareness and take-up of university bursaries, UCU said it believed that the current system of awarding students financial aid was too complicated.
 
The union added that it was particularly concerned at the report's findings that some bursary schemes were 'potentially perpetuating existing divisions or inequalities within, and across, the higher education sector.'
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'We believe that the complicated system of bursaries, grants and fees is confusing many students and their parents. We believe one national scheme would be much fairer and more likely to ensure that the bursary money actually reaches the students who would benefit from it most.
 
'It is particularly troubling that the report found evidence of bursary schemes perpetuating existing divisions or inequalities. The whole point of a bursary scheme is to provide financial support to the people who need it most. We believe a national scheme has a much better chance of success.'