Bursary underspend is a diverse issue
Like other students’ unions, Leeds University Union (LUU) created a giant invoice to present to its vice-chancellor (VC) about retrospective payments of bursaries.
“We went around campus alerting students to the issue by getting them to pose with the invoice,” said LUU Education Officer Susan Nash. “We will be presenting the invoice along with the photographs to the VC, we haven't figured out what format to do that in yet, nor have we decided what will have biggest impact and sustained pressure. The reason I say that is because they, like us, don't want this under-spend, and it isn't through want of trying that they've got it.”
In order to try and reduce the under-spend Leeds University used data from the Student Loans Company to contact anyone they thought would be eligible, some months ago. As a result of that proactive action, it has managed to get rid of a lot more money and reduce the under-spend.
“The reason for the under-spend in Leeds case is very much the over prediction of the no of students who would come here,” explained Susan. “That is why we are pressuring them, and succeeding in getting more work done on admissions and recruitment. They decided some months ago to direct the money into further outreach activity to increase the no's of lower socio economic students applying to Leeds.”
LUU was also successful in asking the university to increase the bursary eligibility thresholds to replicate the increased government’s support package. So, from 09/10, students from households with a parental income of £25,000 or less will be entitled to a full bursary of more than £1,000.
Read the story at Leeds University Union’s online newspaper.
Return to this campaign's homepage or view all articles in this campaign.