Part time students unfairly forced to pay

Part time students unfairly forced to pay

May 20, 2011 - Massey University students, many of whom study part-time, are angry that they can no longer borrow up to $1000 course-related costs to continue their education.

Many part time students raise families and pay mortgages, and like full-time students, part time students rely on the course-related costs component of the student loan scheme to pay for books and transport to contact courses, some of which must be attended to pass their degree.

"Changes announced in the budget mean that part time students become second class students,” President Ralph Springett says. "This budget reduces access for those trying for a second chance at education. For distance students this is a disaster.”

“Many Massey distance papers have compulsory contact courses. If students don't attend, they risk failing their paper, meaning students will be forced to make study choices for economic, instead of educational reasons,” Mr Springett says.

“Unlike full time students, part time students will have to spend money they have saved on the required textbooks and contact course costs. That is simply unfair.”

The people hardest hit will be parents and those who left school to work and are now looking to advance themselves. “This is the wrong message,” says Mr Springett.

“This group should be supported if the strategy is value for money and the flexibility to respond to demand.”

This year, the Massey Extramural Students' Society has already seen capable students struggling to continue their study for financial reasons. Changes in this year's budget will exacerbate this. Not all students are able to get bank loans to finance their study and rely on course related costs to pass their papers. Unlike student allowances, which most part time students are not eligible for, course related costs must be repaid.

"This isn't about removing a handout; it's about taking away an interim hand-up to those who really need it, and are more likely to pay it back sooner," Mr Springett says.

ENDS