Financial Support
2012 saw an increase in student fees in England. Consequently, OFFA
(the Office for Fair Access) placed further requirements on institutions
to provide financial support for the purposes of widening participation
and improving retention. The issue confronting HEIs is thus how to
ensure this support is used in the most effective ways – in both
undergraduate and postgraduate settings.
We therefore offer services to develop and review your institution's financial support for students, drawing on empirical research in the following areas:
• Impact on widening access
• Impact on student engagement,
belonging, retention and success
• Alternative models of financial
support
• Student preferences
We can also assist in policy review processes, staff capacity building, and evaluation activities.
Relevant publications
Diamond, A., Bowes, L, Michael, A., Thomas, L, Porter, A. and Sheen,
J. (2012) Formative Evaluation of the National Scholarship Programme
http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/rereports/year/2012/nspevaluation/
Bowes, L., Moreton, R., Thomas, L. and Porter, A. (2013) Formative
Evaluation of the National Scholarship Programme – Year 1 Addendum to
May 2012 Report. Bristol: HEFCE
http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/rereports/year/2013/nspeval/
Bowes, L., Thomas, L., Peck, L. and Nathwani, T. (2013)
International Research on the Effectiveness of Widening Participation.
Bristol: HEFCE and OFFA
Bowes, L., Moreton, R., Porter, A.,
Thomas, L. and Sheen, J. (forthcoming) Formative Evaluation of the
National Scholarship Programme – Year 2. Bristol: HEFCE
McCulloch, A and Thomas, L (2013) ‘Widening Participation to Doctoral
Study and Research Degrees: Towards a Research Agenda for an Emergent
Policy Issue’, Higher Education Research and Development, Vol. 32, no.
2, pp214 – 227.
Relevant activities
Liz recently gave a key note address for Westminster Briefing, titled
Targeting funds: gauging the cost-effectiveness of scholarships &
bursaries.
Liz also continues to contribute to the formative
evaluation of the National Scholarship Programme, which is in its third
year. The evaluation now focuses on the effectiveness of financial aid
in relation to widening participation and improving student retention
and success.