Written question asked by Tony Colman (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 March 2005. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 March 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what estimate she has made of the percentage of total fee income which the payment of minimum standard bursaries will represent for (a) Russell Group universities and (b) mainstream universities.

Answer: Mr. Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the percentage of total fee income which the payment of minimum standard bursaries will represent for (a) Russell Group universities and (b) mainstream universities. [222993] Dr. Howells: Exactly how much the minimum standard bursaries cost any university each year will depend on what fees they decide to charge, and on the make-up of their student body in that year. We have said in the letter of guidance from the Secretary of State to the Director for Fair Access that the minimum requirement should not cost any institution more than around 10 per cent. of their extra fee income.

Secondary information