Maintenance grants to open to online students

Young people in Jersey who study degrees online will be eligible for the same financial support as students who go to university in person from September, the government said.

It has signed an amendment allowing students studying through distance learning to be eligible for maintenance grants and a higher tuition grant.

Grants remain means-tested and dependant on household income but students could apply for grants up to £9,138 for living costs and up to £9,535 towards tuition fees.

The minister for education and lifelong learning, Deputy Rob Ward, said the changes would allow more young people in Jersey to study in higher education.

Maintenance grants were not previously available to distance learners while the maximum tuition grant would increase from £7,400 to £9,535.

For distance learners, grants would be adjusted depending on the intensity of their courses.

While the grants will only be available for degree courses regulated in the British Islands.

The change followed similar increases to the household income thresholds from the government.

"These changes will ensure young people studying for their degrees off-campus are entitled to the same maintenance and tuition grants as their campus-based peers," said Ward.

"This will level the playing field and further open higher education as a viable path for more young people in Jersey to pursue.

He added: This further contributes towards our strategic priority to increase the provision of lifelong learning and skills development."

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