Sorry, I know this is almost viewed as heresy but I have felt for some 
time, and have commented to the relevant bodies, that in concentrating on 
one group some others are missing out. (mature with no kids and the single 
student especially final years)
I know some places allocate the maximum to student parents, we only do that 
in some cases. We have always seen final years as a priority, and mature 
students without children as their costs are often fixed prior to Uni, and 
they often have large debts.
As to part timers a lot of the regs are unfair. If they are taking nearly a 
full time load, part time job and benefits they can be better off than the 
full timers, and they do not pay fees. This should be administered outside 
the main fund, maybe the finance department should apply to the LEA to have 
the fees repaid or the LEA should decide who gets it and inform the Uni
Anyway, its all rather ad hoc and messy
rant over
Rosemary



At 17:31 06/02/02 +0000, you wrote:
>Dear All
>
>I wasn't aware of any differences in DfES and HEFCE regulations between
>Scotland, England, Northern or Wales, in relation to Hardship funds.
>
>The main problem we are facing is one of supply and demand. Earlier in the 
>year
>we decided to award students under 24 with a top up loan, in the first 
>instance.
>Due to the limited budget we only gave out £300 loans to eligible students who
>applied through the Hardship Fund process. Mature students are awarded a 
>grant,
>in the first instance, and if they demand a top up loan, we suggest that they
>make another application to the Fund later in the year.
>
>The DfES insisted that HEI's allow students to make several applications 
>to the
>Fund during the academic year. The demand for applications normally outstrips
>the amount of money we are able to distribute. Therefore, the majority of 
>second
>and third applications are rejected or at best awarded a reduced amount.
>
>The new regulations supporting mature students are laudable and correct.
>However, I feel that single undergraduates are losing out in the process. The
>issue of fee waivers coming from the Fund is also rather dubious and in many
>ways denies full time applicants much needed support.
>
>Regards
>
>George H Law.
>
>