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16.
I am 16 years old and currently at Hautlieu School in year 12, previously I have attended St Saviour's primary school and Grainville School until the age of 14 . I am currently studying English Literature, Maths, Philosophy and Drama. I am writing to you to express my view on the current University Grant Scheme in Jersey.
For as long as I can remember I have aspired to be a teacher, specifically a secondary school English teacher and the only way to achieve this aspiration is to go to university; to complete a three year English degree and then a years teaching degree. Due to the current grant scheme in Jersey my parents are applicable for approximately £6000 per year. The average amount a student needs (including fees) is approximately £20,000 per year. My family do not earn enough to afford this amount, even with a £6000 grant, their outgoings are already above what they earn just paying the mortgage and living costs of a family (we live in a first time buyers house). This then makes it impossible for me to become a teacher, an aspiration I have had for my whole life.
Not only do I feel being a teacher would benefit me and future generations, it would also add to Jerseys economy, as I plan to come back to Jersey to teach after completing my degree and therefore would end up contributing to Jersey's economy. So I feel as though if Jersey's government would consider that by investing in student loans, they are investing in Jersey's future.
I feel that I am almost being punished for my parents financial situation, as we are not a wealthy family, yet we are not low enough earns to qualify for the full grant. We are stuck in a middle bracket, where are my mum and dad supposed to find the remaining approx £14000 from?
At the moment I am researching Universities in other countries (looking for cheaper options) , however it is very hard to find universities in Europe that do English degrees to the same standard as English Universities.
I have been brought up to have high aspirations, because of this I have always aimed high and achieved, for example I worked hard to get good GCSE grades ( 2 A*s, 10 As and 1 B) and at the moment I am working very hard to achieve high in my A levels, but I feel so disheartened knowing that all my hard work is not enough to get me to go to Univerisity and that everything always seems to come down to your parents financial status. Why is this the case, I should be able to access a student loan in my own right, and go to university based on my own academic achievement not my parents financial status, this is an incredibly unfair system and even the poorest of countries have accessible higher education for all.
I'm not asking for anything for free, I'm asking for a fair system for all, no matter what the financial status of their family is.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my point of view,