As part of the government's Review of Financial Assistance for Post-compulsory Study (the Bursaries Review), one of the working parties commissioned a survey of universtiy and technical institute students on the STB. The survey, answered by 3800 of the 5000-plus students who received it last November, looked at the incomes and basic term-times spending, for example, on board, fees, textbooks, course-related expenses and transport, of students receiving the STB. The survey was under some restrictions and did not look at other costs, such as out-of-term expenses, clothing, entertainment and recreation, so a full picture of expenditure patterns can't be gained. Some of the preliminary results show:

• the average "in the hand" vacation income was $681, but for universtiy students it was $769, and technical institute students only $347.
• Males' average total income was $2136 - females' was $1742
• 55% took part-time jobs and earned on average $295
• 32% took out loans
• $195 was the average transport costs
• $111 was the average spent on textbooks.