AN expert from a university visited a college to demystify the process of financing students through a degree and show how university is something everyone can access. 

Jennifer Gregory, of Lancaster University’s student recruitment and outreach team, spoke to around 50 sets of parents and carers at Barrow Sixth Form College about the options that are available including the tuition fee loan and the maintenance loan. 

The talk explained that there are a multitude of bursaries and scholarships available that are non-repayable. The event was organised by the sixth form careers and student services team to help show parents that if their child wanted a university education, there were a number of proven finance options available. 

Careers advisor Samantha Roberts said many sixth formers were first in their family to apply to university and the college wanted to make sure that parents had the best advice. 

Mrs Roberts said: “We want all our students to be able to achieve their goals without money standing in the way and, if they want to go to university, then we will support them to do that. There are negative stories out there about students owing £50,000 which can really put people off applying but, when you break it down, repayments are based on income after graduating and not the debt. 

“Students will repay 9 per cent of anything over £21,000 regardless of how much student loan they have had. It is manageable and seeing the figures puts it into perspective.” 

She said an example wage slip for someone earning £30,000 showed the amount going out for a student loan was very small compared to national insurance and tax. 

“You can still come out with a really good monthly salary. Plus anything not paid back within 30 years is written off and the loans do not affect your credit rating,”she said.  

Latest information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency shows the average graduate starting salary is £22,057 compared to non-graduates of £15,376. 

Director Helen Gibson said this year around 200 students from Barrow Sixth Form have applied for university places around the country with three securing offers from Cambridge University and more than half achieving offers from one or more Russell Group universities.