Big fall in mature students comes as shock to universities

Universities

blame the economic crisis by an alarming decline in 40% of older students and part-time

When Donna Hunt, a former official with two children under four years, sought to apply to college for the first time last year, the experience was "very intimidating." In addition care planning and preparation to sit in a classroom for the first time in over 15 years, was faced with a difficult student loan. "Documentation was probably the scariest part of going college, "he said. "But without it, I could not make the journey."

Hunt, 35, who lives in Surrey, is to take a certificate of higher education at the University of Worcester teach you National Childbirth Trust (NCT) parenting classes, and hopes to continue studying a teaching degree. She makes the most of his part-time courses at home, but must go to London for training. Contrary to the average of 18 years, college life shoehorning crowded and commitments has been a challenge. "My studies occur in an ad hoc place at night or nap time, when I have the opportunity to sit down and do a bit of head space," she said. "It's hard work, but rewarding. For me, the idea of ??having a title when I'm 40 is just wonderful. "

positivity is common among older students once they are in college. However, the figures suggest that since the annual rate reached a maximum of ? 9,000 last year, large sections of the older students are not making it through the door of the university.

A recent report on the impact of the new funding system for higher education Education Funding Council for England reveals that the number of part-time students, who are much more likely to be older, have dropped a whopping 40% in 2010-11. Dice recent years adult students were much less likely to accept a place at university dropout.

There are many theories on which older students have responded to the new fee arrangements dramatically. Professor Paul Webley, Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said. "Unlike school graduates, older students and part-time workers were generally win, so the numbers mean much when you're 18, these are just numbers."

older students are more likely to believe they have much faith with the rate increase, he added. "Children are 18 years into a new system and we are all in the same boat when it comes to fees. But if you are a 22 year old, you have the feeling that if I applied last year or the year before would have paid less, "he said.

However, Matt Robb, a higher education expert at the Parthenon Group, a consulting firm that advises global strategy of many universities, says that while students studying for leisure certainly been delayed by rate increases, others react to higher prices for all courses. "I think it has nothing to do with cost and everything to do with the economic climate," says Webley. "I would say that adult learners are much more likely to have a job, much less likely in the current environment to go to your employer and tell you that I would do a part time course."

• Professor Michael Gunn, rector of the University of Staffordshire, agrees. "For part-time students, employer support has often been the key," he says, "and there is no evidence that it is not as readily available in the current climate."
The landslide working part-time was a surprise to many universities, because it coincided with the introduction of new government loans for part-time students who have not institutions attended college before had thought could mitigate the effect of rising interest rates. Previously, part-time workers to pay their fees in advance with little government support.

Apparently, the message on new loans simply do not reach many potential part-time students. "We had a lot of problems last year with poor information on financing," says Professor David Latchman, master of Birkbeck, University of London, specializing in part-time courses. "Some people thought they had to go to the bank and borrow money."

But Claire Callender, a national expert on education part-time at the Institute of Education, said that this is only part of the story, as the majority of students part-time are not eligible for loans in new ways. Because the government has maintained the existing ban on funding for students who already have a "diploma equivalent," only a third of the time students are eligible for new loans. In a research work in part-time students , Callender says that the system is not sufficiently loans and grants or scholarships that match the part-time market much better.

"People are too many financial risks. There is no guarantee higher income after recycling," she said. "Even if someone can get a loan, borrowers do not have to repay the loan until their income reaches a certain level, this safety net is not always sufficient to allay concerns about the payment of 9% of their income to repay the loan. Many a family to support and a mortgage. "
Find best price for : --Callender----Claire----Michael----Parthenon----Matt----Council----funding----Trust----Childbirth----National----Worcester----education----higher----Donna--