Dear Forge,
I wholeheartedly commend Rebecca Watson for her comments condemning the proposed tuition fee rises (‘Watson hits out at fee rise’).
As a student who has as of yet been unable to find part-time work, I for one am very worried about how a rise in fees could affect my financial situation.
I ended the last two terms overdrawn, and am already worried about my finances this term, particularly with the pressures of finding money for a deposit on next year’s accommodation. I’m trying not to think about what may happen after I graduate, with companies slashing their graduate recruitment schemes.
It worries me that university vice-chancellors would be happy to raise fees to almost, if not over, double their current amount.
Students are struggling enough to support themselves with fees at their current level. This can only lead to higher repayments over longer periods, which will ensure that this struggle is unlikely to end after university.
I agree with Watson’s comments that university “should be entry on ability and not money”. Education cannot become a market, as many students will not be able to contend.
Yours,
Lillian Taylor
Philosophy
Second year