To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students from (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) the south-west are exempt from tuition fees. (82149)

The number of students from Somerset local authority, and the South West Government Office Region making no contribution to their tuition fees in 2004/05 was £2,830, and £29,700 respectively¹. Data are not available at the constituency level.

Students on full-time undergraduate courses and their families are expected to make a contribution towards the cost of their tuition based on household income. Students from lower income backgrounds are wholly or partially exempt from paying tuition fees.

From 2006/07 upfront fees are abolished and full-time students will be eligible for tuition fee loans of up to £3,000. In addition, we expect around 30 per cent. of students to receive a maximum maintenance grant of £2,700 and an HE institution bursary of at least £300. Overall, we expect around half of all eligible students to receive at least some maintenance grant.

¹ Rounded to the nearest 10 students.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students from (a) Houghton and Washington East constituency and (b) Sunderland city council area are exempt from tuition fees. (82284)

The number of students from Sunderland local authority making no contribution to their tuition fees in 2004/05 was 1,740¹. Data are not available at the constituency level.

Students on full-time undergraduate courses and their families are expected to make a contribution towards the cost of their tuition based on household income. Students from lower income backgrounds are wholly or partially exempt from paying tuition fees.

From 2006/07 up-front fees are abolished and full-time students will be eligible for tuition fee loans of up to £3,000. In addition, we expect around 30 per cent. of students to receive a maximum maintenance grant of £2,700 and an HE institution bursary of at least £300. Overall, we expect around half of all eligible students to receive at least some maintenance grant.

¹ Rounded to the nearest 10 students.