University students propose rebate for coronavirus-affected tuition, funded by increased interest rates
University students in England are offering to accept higher interest rates on their loans in exchange for an immediate £2,700 discount on their tuition fees as compensation for the disruption to their education caused by the Covid pandemic.
A group of students unions led by the London School of Economics and the University of Sheffield have written to the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, and the universities minister, Michelle Donelan, to propose that the government funds a 30% tuition fee rebate for all students this year by increasing interest rates by 3% to 6.2%, meaning it would be repaid only by the highest earning graduates.
