Debt, a familiar word to all students.

WE ALL know that by coming to university, we are generating a serious amount of debt for ourselves. It seems before we even begin a career, we've been pushed down the ladder when it comes to money. University is a place for people to expand their options and think seriously about what it is they are going to do with their lives. Unfortunately it comes at a price.

These people decide whether you are legible for financial help.

Not only this but when applying for loans, bursaries and grants on 'Student Finance' it can appear that those from a wealthier background receive less help. Of course, this is entirely fair. Those from deprived backgrounds receive as much help as they can because their family is in no financial state to do so. But just because someone's parents are rich, doesn't necessarily mean to say that their child is going to benefit from this.


Some parents have businesses to run, or a list of outgoings longer than their arm. Financial help should be optional, and not based on a yearly household income. For instance, if a student going to university comes from a wealthy background, they should discuss whether they need the help or if their parents are able to help them. After all, parents or guardians don't pay the loan back, it comes out of the students wage packet when they earn over a certain amount a year.

Nathan Setterfield, a Crime and Policing student studying at Canterbury says: "My father earns too much for me to receive any money at all. Luckily this year I opted to live at home, but next year I'm moving out.

"My part time job won't be able to even pay the rent, let alone anything else."

For some people, the money issue stops them from going to uni. The high ratio of college and sixth form students decide to work full-time or take on apprenticeships. These paths still can reach a high level, a degree isn't always necessary. As soon as you reach your last year of college or school, you are bombarded with course pamphlets, university brochures and pressure to achieve well in order to gain an entry place at your chosen place of study. This can all seem a little bit too much when all you want to do is knuckle down and get your courses completed.

This issue applies to students at secondary school more so now, because by the time university is available to them, they will be in more debt due to the increase in student fees.

Simone Chessum, a secondary school student says: "I've always dreamt of going to university. I work hard now and my aim was to graduate with the best degree I can achieve in years to come.

"Now fees are on the increase, I may start looking into an apprenticeship, I don't want to be poor before I've even got anywhere."

If you are unsure of whether to go to uni, or if you are debating dropping out then click here for some advice from the Aim Higher team.