Increase in the award of Welsh Assembly Learning Grants

Figures released today show that a total of 22,780 students applied for Assembly Learning Grants (ALGs) during the last academic year 2003/04, this was 13 per cent higher than the number received in the ALG’s first year, 2002/03. The number of successful applications 20,590 (90 percent of applications) is 9 percent higher than the total awarded during academic year 2002/03. The largest increase in successful applications was for full time further education students, 5000 compared with 3,790 awarded during 2002/03. The Education and Lifelong Learning Minister, Jane Davidson said: “It is encouraging to see the increased numbers of Further and Higher Education students taking advantage of Assembly Learning Grants which make learning possible for thousands of students aged 18 and over who might never have considered further learning.

Figures released today show that a total of 22,780 students applied for Assembly Learning Grants (ALGs) during the last academic year 2003/04, this was 13 per cent higher than the number received in the ALG’s first year, 2002/03. The number of successful applications 20,590 (90 percent of applications) is 9 percent higher than the total awarded during academic year 2002/03. The largest increase in successful applications was for full time further education students, 5000 compared with 3,790 awarded during 2002/03. The Education and Lifelong Learning Minister, Jane Davidson said: “It is encouraging to see the increased numbers of Further and Higher Education students taking advantage of Assembly Learning Grants which make learning possible for thousands of students aged 18 and over who might never have considered further learning.

” Assembly Learning Grants were introduced by the Assembly Government to help break down barriers to learning. The grant provides a guaranteed source of extra money for the least well off learners in Further and Higher Education. The ALG is in addition to student loans and other forms of support and is not repayable at the end of the course.

” It is essential that students know that there is ‘Money for Study’, I have always said that it would take a number of years for the scheme to bed in and it is positive to see that the figures released today suggest a gradual increase in take up. I hope to see this trend continue in future.”