STEVE DOWNES Thirty UEA students will get cash help next week to head off the effects of variable tuition fees as the university launches its new scholarship scheme.

STEVE DOWNES

Thirty UEA students will get cash help next week to head off the effects of variable tuition fees as the university launches its new scholarship scheme.

A total of £50,000 per year will be given to high-flying first-year students, including:

£4,000 per year to the eight strongest students based on outstanding academic achievement, potential and overall effectiveness

£1,000 per year to 12 students displaying academic excellence, potential and overall effectiveness

£500 per year to 10 academically excellent EU students from outside the UK.

The awards will be handed out by pro-vice-chancellor Prof Edward Acton at a ceremony in the UEA council chamber on Friday at 10am.

Admissions director Jon Beard said: "UEA's scholarships are among the most generous in the country and reward handsomely the hard work of high-achieving students.

"They are just part of a broad package of financial provisions now on offer to UEA students. The result is that more than half of all students starting at UEA this year have received some form of financial support to offset their tuition fees."

Variable tuition fees were introduced for the first time this year, with students having to pay up to £3,000 per year to study - but not having to pay it until they are in work after graduating.

The fees are believed to have contributed to a dip in the number of university applicants across England this year.

Additional financial support available to UEA students who started in September includes:

non-repayable government grants worth up to £2,700 per year for students from lower income households

UEA bursaries worth up to £600 per year for students from lower income households

automatic scholarships worth £500 per year for all students with A-level grades of AAA - or ABB if from a lower income household.