To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) any financial support available for mature students with children who do not qualify for a student loan; and (ii) whether she will consider expanding access to targeted hardship funds.

Mature students who are undertaking an eligible full-time undergraduate course but find themselves ineligible for student loan support may still be able to apply for targeted support such as the childcare grant, parents’ learning allowance or adult dependants’ grant. Disabled Students’ Allowance may also be available to mature students regardless of whether they are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate full-time or part-time course.In relation to the funding the Department provides to institutions to support students facing financial hardship, maximum support of up to £3,500 is currently available for eligible full-time or part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Department sets out the terms and conditions for this funding and from academic year 2022/23 removed priority groups from the terms and conditions, the intention being to allow the institutions greater flexibility when awarding this support.