Welcome to the new Courier section dedicated to the business news that affects students. Here you will be able to find links to careers websites such as Milkround that draw your attention to the latest business/finance related deadlines and the latest business news. Anyone wishing to contribute comment or news articles to the business page can do so by contacting Katie.Bristow@ncl.ac.uk.
At present many financial institutions beginning application processes for both penultimate year internships and graduate jobs. All upcoming deadlines and details regarding how to apply can be found at www.milkround.com
BUSINESS COMMENT
It appears that students concerns are growing and we are becoming more aware about where our money is going, The Guardian reveals. As it becomes more expensive for students to fund themselves through university, financial awareness is becoming increasingly important.
“Students expect more transparent information about what they are paying for when they go to university and want reassurance that their degree will make them employable, a report finds today. The findings will feed into the new national student forum (NSF) made up of representatives from the National Union of Students, the National Postgraduate Committee, the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, and international students. The forum is supposed to hold the government to account on problems in higher education that students want to see resolved. Ministers have promised to respond in full to the recommendations the forum makes in its annual reports. The first is expected in December. The student’s minister, Baroness Delyth Morgan, said: “The thing that really struck me ... is how important information and guidance [on finances] is.” “We want to get the information, advice and guidance as comprehensive and accessible as possible.” Wes Streeting, president-elect of the National Union of Students (NUS), said: “This is a useful exercise which reinforces the points NUS has been continually making for the last two years: that students and prospective students need better support and guidance about institutions and courses, and they also need more prompt and meaningful feedback on their work.” (09/04/08)
BUSINESS NEWS
The BBC: ‘Fees seem not to deter students’:
“By the end of March there had been 5.2% more applicants across the UK compared with March 2006, at 446,765, the admissions service Ucas said. Ministers were pleased to see an increase in applications from people from less affluent backgrounds. A study by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) said a project in London was so successful it should be expanded. Its first indicators, for January, had shown a rise of 7.2% - to the relief of ministers, in view of "top-up" tuition fees. The number of people applying to Northern Ireland's universities, where variable fees of up to £3,000 also now apply, was down 0.4% to 18,387.” (25/04/08)
The FT: ‘US eases student loan concerns’:
“Hank Paulson, the US Treasury secretary, on Wednesday backed legislation that would allow the administration to buy federally backed student loans amid fears that troubles in the market for student loans could make many students unable to pay for their college education this autumn. The legislation, which passed in Congress last week, would provide more capital to the lending industry to make loans, after it has been hit by the credit crisis. A rising number of lenders have stopped making federal loans, which have lower interest rates for borrowers, because of higher costs of lending and decreased subsidies. However, Mr Paulson said that the Federal Financing Bank, a Treasury-run bank that consolidates US government borrowing, could not be used to buy up securities backed by student loans, a measure that lenders have called for. The situation is becoming increasingly urgent as most loans are issued to students between now and September.” (24/04/08)
