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Salient. Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 42 No. 15. July 9 1979

Entitlement and Loans

Entitlement and Loans

One of the most severe changes has been made to a student's entitlement to bursary assistance. At the moment a student is entitled to the STB for two undergraduate degrees and one graduate degree. In 1980 a student will be only entitled for assistance for a maximum of five years or for two recognised courses, whichever is the lesser.

This affects many students who ordinarily would be entitled to assistance. Students doing longer undergraduate degrees, such as law and medicine will be limited in their ability to complete their courses, let alone do post-graduate work. Many students take four years to complete their Bachelor's degree. Their ability to do post-graduate work or a second undergraduate degree will be impaired. It is also a disincentive for students who would like to do a two year mask-rate involving research for a thesis.

Even "academically successful" students will be hit. They could be eligible for only four years' assistance. For example, if a student completed his/her Bachelor degree in three years and Honour in one, s/he would not be entitled to bursary assistance for a fifth year to do a masterate or diploma course.

It is evident that the Government is endeavouring to establish a parallel system of grants and loans. Restricting the grant entitlement is the means of acheiving this. A system of supplementary assistance in the form of loans is being investigated for introduction as soon as practicable. It will include provisions for "support" for students not eligible for tertiary study and/or fees grant assistance. And yet the [unclear: Steer] Committee of the Review of Financial Assistance for Post-Compulsory Study has recommended that any loan system should not be at the expense of the [unclear: grar] entitlement.