Reading Comprehension
I’d wish the people writing about studying in the UK on here would wisen up a little. It seems that basic reading comprehension is simply too much to ask. I realize that the amount of information may be daunting, but when people simply refuse to believe simple instructions and facts, the issue shifts from information overload to wilful ignorance.
What am I talking about? Student finance. EU students are given the same options to pay for their studies as UK residents, because no member states can be discriminated against. Thus, a Finnish student does not have to pay his £3000/year up front, but can rather take an interest-free loan. All other forms of student support must come from the state the student is a citizen of. This is new in 2006, as EU students who have started before can receive aid from the UK government’s Department for Education and Skills. This does not apply anymore for those starting their UK university career in 2006.
What is so hard to understand about this? The Finnish government provides generous student support in the form of grants and low-interest loans. There is no reason the UK government would support a student in addition to what he or she can receive from his or her home country. The DfES clearly states that new EU students are no longer eligible for a maintenance grant starting in 2006. Why, then, do some people insist on detailing their income and proving their status as “independent students” when EU students are no longer eligible?
To me, it seems like these people are creating extra work for both themselves and the EU financial team over in the UK.