Southampton Solent University helps hard-up students, according to fair access report
27 March 2009
Southampton Solent University has welcomed a report from the Office for Fair Access (OFFA), which shows it is one of the region's biggest supporters of hard-up students.
The report, based on 2007-08 figures, reveals that Southampton Solent University is one of the best supporters of students from the lowest income bracket. About a third (31%) of our students come from households with an income of less than £17, 910 – and these are all supported through bursaries or scholarships. This is the second highest percentage of Southern region universities.
The report – set up to promote widening access into higher education - also shows that the University increased the amount it spent on bursaries and scholarships for students from lower income households by 1.6% from the previous year.
The University's uptake of financial support through bursaries by eligible students is also above the national average of 90% and the University has a higher than predicted expenditure on outreach work, which encourages applications and aspirations from students who would not normally consider entering higher education.
Vice Chancellor Professor Van Gore said: "The results are extremely positive. It is very encouraging that our take-up of available extra funding has risen among students from the lowest income group, who need the most help to ensure they get the full benefits of higher education.
"The OFFA report reflects our efforts to ensure that eligible students are made aware of the financial support available, and we will continue to provide the best quality advice, information and support for our students.
"In line with our commitment to providing higher education to all those who can benefit, we are exceeding our obligations to safeguard fair access to Higher Education for under-represented groups."
The OFFA report, Access agreement monitoring - Outcomes for 2007-08, is available on the OFFA website at: www.offa.org.uk
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