Demanding a National Bursary Scheme
Liverpool Students' Union are lobbying on a local and national level to secure a National Bursary Scheme that would mean fair access to funding for LJMU students and other students across England.
What is the problem with the current bursary system?
UK Universities can currently choose the amount of their bursaries, as long as they give a minimum payment to the poorest students. Without a National Bursary Scheme, institutions can use bursaries in any way they like - as a recruitment tool or as a bonus to better academically qualified students - and roll any underspent money into their surpluses at the end of the year. This system is perverse, and rewards institutions that don't distribute money to poorer students: the best way to stop Universities playing games with student support is to take the power off them, and create a National Bursary Scheme.
Bursaries and LJMU students
Up until recently, our students received one of the highest bursaries in the country but Government cuts to Higher Education have resulted in LJMU cutting £4.8m from their bursary fund in an attempt to minimise cuts elsewhere, as the University tries to recover from large reductions in funding from the Government. We fought hard to stop this happening and we will continue to fight to protect and defend LJMU bursaries.
If you want to help LSU protect and defend LJMU student bursaries click here to find out what ACTIONS YOU CAN DO TODAY.
What are LSU doing?
Lobbying the Coalition Government - LJMU students have already been lending their support to the campaign, 1400 students have already shown that they demand better student funding in the future review of Higher Education by signing our postcards
making a personal plea to Dr Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (the lead UK Minister for Universities) and told him what their bursaries mean to them and demanding a National Bursary Scheme.
View more photos of the campaign on Liverpool Students' Union Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=240303&id=126710373640
Take a look at our campaign video; http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/video/video.php?v=441112030058
Fighting against further cuts to Education - Government cuts have already significantly impacted on financial support available to LJMU students. Herer at LSU, we are fighting further cuts by attending the NUS and UCU National Demo in London on 10th November. For more information on joining us at this event click here.
