The Public Accounts Committee, a Standing Committee of Tynwald, would like to invite written submissions from the public regarding the Student Awards scheme.

Under the auspices of the Department of Education, Sport & Culture, Student Awards have undergone significant changes from a largely grants based system to a grant and loan mix. Eligibility is governed by residency, academic achievement and parental income.

The remit of the Public Accounts Committee allows it to consider such matters as the Committee may think fit in order to scrutinise the efficiency and effectiveness of the implementation of Government policy. The Committee intends to examine to what extent the scheme provides value for money and supports the Island Plan aims and objectives related to higher education.

Juan Watterson SHK, Chair of the Committee, said that:

Student awards are a key gateway to Higher Education. A lot depends on getting it right first time to make this important life transition as smooth as possible. The PAC would like people to get in touch to talk about their experiences as to how administration of this system can be improved.

Respondents may wish to include in their response:

• experiences good and bad
• view as to the responsiveness of the system
• thoughts on grant and loan provision, as well as debt repayment
• view as to the fairness of the system
• potential recommendations for change

Submissions can be sent to either of the following addresses by Friday 24^th March 2023:

Email: committees@tynwald.org.im
Post:
Clerk to the Public Accounts Committee,
Clerk of Tynwald’s Office,
Legislative Buildings,
Finch Road,
Douglas,
IM1 3PW

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For further information contact:

Clerk to the Committee
Telephone: 01624 685500
Email:    committees@tynwald.org.im
Website: www.tynwald.org.im
More information about the membership and work of the Committees can be found on the Tynwald website.