Levitate Student - Should I stay or should I go now.......

In the words of The Clash 

Should I stay or should I go now? (Yo! Me frío o lo soplo?)

If I go there will be trouble (Si me voy, va a haber peligro)

And if I stay it will be double (Si me quedo, es doble).....

It's nearly decision time and according to those in the know, it's seem still all too close to call in the UK EU Referendum.

Hopefully a vote for "Remain" will bring much needed sensible debate of the role the UK plays in the EU. Perhaps the tight vote will keep a sharp focus on public disquiet about how effective our membership is and how satisfied the public are with our investment.

A "Leave" outcome will be surely unsettling for many EU students already living in the UK and those considering a move to study here in the future.

I have supported many EU students over the years. It would be fair to say in my experience the vast majority are hard working, diligent and many balancing working alongside their full-time courses. Of course while they work they are contributing to the local and national economy, contributing to the public purse that assists with their student finance.

In recent years it has been harder and harder for EU students to access their student finance entitlement. Bulgarian and Romanian students were particularly hit hard by a tightening of eligibility rules. Hopefully a remain vote will seek to treat all EU member countries fairly with regard to their Treaty Rights.

On March 1st 2016 Joe Johnson MP (Minister of State for Universities and Science) announced a further significant  change to the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2011 changing the residency requirements for EU national students. 

Currently an EU national is entitled to apply for

• Tuition Fee Loan only if they come to UK to study in Higher Education

• Tuition Fee Loan and Living Cost Support (currently loans and grants) if they have lived in UK for 3 years prior to the start of their course.

• Tuition Fee and Living Cost Support if they are a EEA Migrant Worker or Family Member of a Migrant Worker

The proposal is to increase the residency requirement from 3 years to 5 years before an EU national can be eligible for the living cost support in their student finance package.

The government cited the increasing pressure on the student finance budget due to the level of EU applicants and their desire to manage the burden on the tax payer as their reason for the change. These changes will impact students starting a new course in academic year 2016/17.

Many EU nationals of course fall into the category of an EEA Migrant Worker. These changes will not affect the entitlement of Migrant Workers and their families according to the statement. Neither will it affect "those who are already studying". 

However if the UK vote to "Leave" what will happen then to all our EU students still in the Higher Education system once the mechanism for exit is negotiated?

How will our universities cope with the potential drop in income from the fee funded EU students?  Imagine our neighbour students from the Republic of Ireland being regarded as International or Overseas students by the UK.

A vote for "Leave" with throw the HE sector into a whorl and keep money advice services very busy indeed in support of the rights of EU students up and down the country.

Its interesting the polls that indicate reported divide based on age of the voters with a high percentage of 18-24 year olds looking to vote "Remain". Wonder how the 16-17 year olds would have voted given a chance to have a say on their future?

Whatever your viewpoint, do ensure you VOTE. Such an important issue, no matter how muddled the campaigning or divided the stance, deverse a strong public turn out.

Happy Polling Day - see you on the other side :)

Useful information and guidance for oversea and EU students is available through UKCISA

Levitate Student: Long Residence

Long Residence - see Changes June 2016

Like to think I may have played a small part following a conversation with and later a message to Baroness Glenys Thornton in 2014

* LTR - Leave to Remain

Brand Name vs. Generic

Levitate Student: Carers Week 2016

As it is Carers Week it seems a good opportunity to highlight a student money issues of concern.

Full-time Higher Education student who are carers are in general not entitled to claim Carers Allowance.

This can come as a shock to carers who are attempting to study alongside their caring responsibilities. 

Full-time courses are considered to be 21 hours per week for the purpose of this welfare benefit. Many students will know that for some courses, contact time in front of a tutor can be much less than that. However the Department for Work and Pensions also take into account self study periods in order to fulfil the course.

If you are registered on a full-time course then it is likely that you will be regarded as studying at least the 21 hours per week. It may be possible in some circumstances to persuade the DWP that your contact hours are less. For example perhaps if you take fewer modules than the norm for the course due to previous study credits or because you are repeating only part of the course. 

In most case though being registered on a full-time course will preclude you from eligibility for Carers Allowance. This seem to be a harsh decision on the part of the government. Carers do an amazing and often unsung service to society and most of us don't realise the positive impact they make to individuals and communities by shouldering those caring responsibilities. 

The notion that attending university means they are shirking those responsibilities in likely to be unreasonable in most cases. Carers probably choose courses with fewer contact hours and higher self study in order the balance out their commitments and limit time away from the person who needs them. 

It seems narrow visioned to limit the opportunities available to carers this way. Surely a carer who is well educated, personally fulfilled and skilled is a better asset to society should their caring responsibilities come to an end or allow them to seek paid work around their on going commitments.

Levitate Student would like to encourage a change in policy from Jo Johnson MP. Come on Joe - please support the carers who support our society to achieve their aspirations without fear of letting down those they care for or financial detriment.