A Shrewsbury college principal claims that axing an education grant could price students out of further study and has urged them to fight the ‘very worrying’ proposals.
Greg Molan, principal at Shrewsbury College, has called on students to get involved in the mounting campaign against Government plans to scrap the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) which is currently paid to 800 people at the college.
If the proposals are pushed through then it would leave an EMA shortfall of £750,000 for students at Shrewsbury College – a blow softened slightly by news that its Learner Support Fund will increase by £80,000.
Currently students receive £10, £20 or £30 a week depending on their family’s level of household income. But the government claims the grant is not cost-effective and plans to stop paying it next year.
In an open letter to students this week, Mr Molan admitted fears that if the EMA grant is axed by the next academic year then many students, some of whom use their grants for travel, could be forced out of education.
He also pointed to the ‘double blow’ they would face after Shropshire Council announced it will reduce a travel subsidy paid to college students living more than three miles from the campus.
“This cut (the travel subsidy) and the loss of EMAs will be a double blow to students and many will find it hard to pay for travel to college,” he wrote.
“It is a very worrying proposal. At present, the Learner Support Funds cannot be used to subsidise travel costs and if this remains the case, we will not be able to provide the help that many students most need.
“A campaign is being mounted against this proposal.
“It is one that directly affects many of you and I would encourage you to become involved.
“If you do become involved in any action, please conduct yourselves in a responsible fashion, otherwise the behaviour of protesters becomes the story and not the issue that people are campaigning about.”
A protest was held nationally by students on Monday.
By David Seadon