Southwark to pay for university fees in first scheme of its kind in the country

Southwark Council will provide scholarships to a select number of high achieving students who would otherwise be put off from going to university because of the costs involved.

From next year universities in England will be able to charge tuition fees of up to £9,000 per year after the Government axed funding.  

It comes as thousands of students are set to receive their A-level results this week (18th August).  

Following the recent disorder in Southwark the council said it was more important than ever to support young people in the borough, the overwhelming majority who were opposed to the violence.  

Under the Southwark Scholarship Scheme, the council will fund at least five students studying for either an arts, science or vocational degree from October onwards for the duration of their course.  

A panel of education experts will assess each application based on financial status, academic achievement and contributions to the local community through sport, volunteering or faith groups. 

Successful applicants will have normally been resident in Southwark for at least three years. Headteachers will need to support any application in writing and the money will go directly to either the university or the funding body.

The council will spend £50,000 in 2011/12 from its £3 million Youth Fund to pay for the scheme rising to £150,000 in 2013/14. 

The fund will also be used to help support students in Southwark who had previously claimed Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) but which is now being phased out nationally. The EMA grant was previously claimed by 3,700 Southwark students. 

The council's Educational Maintenance Supplement will be used to support those Southwark students most in need to remain in post-16 education. It will help with additional costs and expenses. Thirty schools and colleges will be asked to participate by distributing the funds to Southwark students.  

And in a direct response to rising youth unemployment nationally, the fund will also help young people aged 16 to 24 leaving education and looking for jobs. Advisors will provide help with CVs and employment skills, offer valuable work placements and ongoing job brokerage. The programme is designed to help 1,500 young people over the next three years. 

Between June 2008 and June 2011 the number of people aged 18-24 claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Southwark increased by 52%.  

Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: "Following the recent disorder in Southwark, it's more important than ever to support the borough's young people so they can reach their full potential and secure a better future for themselves. 

"The vast majority had nothing to do with the criminal behaviour that took place on our streets and we want to recognise the great contribution that many of them make to their local communities.  

"One key way of doing this is through our £3million youth fund - the first scheme of its kind in the country. This is not only an investment in young people, but is also a step to ward off the damaging effects of the recession for a generation that needs to gain the skills, experience and resilience for the future workforce."

Catherine McDonald, Southwark's cabinet member for children's services, added: "We want all our young people to have the opportunities that mean they can fulfil their potential.  

"And we believe people should be able to stay on in education and get a foot on the jobs ladder - regardless of their financial situation."

"The government's withdrawal of the Education Maintenance Allowance and hike in tuition fees means that whole swathes of young people will either be burdened with huge debts or miss out on an university education altogether.  

"With record youth unemployment we believe that investing in young peoples' skills and future job prospects is the best way to help improve the health of the nation's economy." 

Last year Southwark students achieved their best A-levels to date with 18% gaining the top grades of A* or A and three quarters gaining a grade C or better - an improvement from 13% and 60% last year - and above the national average.