Tuesday 12-06-2018 - 10:32

We had fantastic news in Scotland this week. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister announced the first steps towards reforming cost-of-living support for Scotland’s students including over £21 million additional funding.

 

NUS Scotland secured an independent Review of Student Support in 2016 through the Shaping Scotland’s Future campaign. NUS Scotland was a member of the Student Support Review Board, chaired by Jayne-Anne Gadhia, CEO Virgin Money and continued to make the case for students to be paid the equivalent of the Scottish Living Wage with bursary increases for the poorest students.

 

In November last year the Review recommended that a new social contract for students was needed with a minimum student income of £8,100.
 

The combined efforts of NUS Scotland, Students' Association and members across Scotland during the recent Budget for Better campaign resulted in:

• £16 million additional annual investment in bursary support for Scotland’s students
• Over £5 million for £8,100 in bursary support for care-experienced students, starting 2018
• Student loan repayments starting at a higher salary level – £25,000