What plans it has to improve financial support to part-time students and whether this will form part of its full response to the Cubie Repo…

Early in 1999, the Government announced the introduction in academic year 2000-01 of a scheme of loans for part-time students in higher education which was welcomed by the Cubie Committee. Scottish domiciled students on low incomes will be able to apply for a loan of up to £500 to cover course expenses. The detail of the scheme will be published shortly. Also, higher education students with a disability are now eligible to apply for the Disabled Students' Allowance. Since academic year 1998 part-time students in further and higher education who may face particular financial difficulty have been able to apply to their institution for help from the Access Funds. In addition, during 1999-2000, the further education colleges have been provided with additional funds to target at the most needy students, part-time as well as full-time.The Scottish Executive will publish its full response to the Cubie Report in the spring including its recommendations on part-time students.