Ministers back most student funding reforms, but budget constraints remain

Government accepts majority of PAC recommendations, but warns affordability must guide implementation timelines

The Council of Ministers has responded to a recent report by the Public Accounts Committee on the Isle of Man’s Student Awards Scheme, broadly accepting its findings but proposing amendments to several of the 13 recommendations.

The PAC report, published earlier this year, called for a range of reforms to the financial support offered to Manx students, including an uplift to maintenance grant thresholds, improved support for distance learners, and the expansion of student loans.

In its official response, the Council of Ministers said it welcomed the scrutiny and agreed that funding students is both a vital investment in individual futures and the Island’s economic prosperity.

However, the government made clear that some recommendations needed to be modified to fit within budgetary and operational constraints.

Among the accepted proposals are calls to align student award policies with the Island Plan, improve data collection to measure impact, and retain the current hybrid model of means-tested grants and access to loans.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture also agreed to consider alternative eligibility routes for students who do not meet the traditional 80 UCAS point requirement, recognising that experience and vocational pathways can also signal academic potential.

Some recommendations were only partially accepted or amended.

These include raising the minimum income threshold for full maintenance grants to at least £30,388.

While ministers acknowledged the potential benefit of such an increase, they cautioned that changes would need to be considered as part of the 2026 budget process due to financial constraints.

Similarly, while support for full-time distance learners and those studying on-Island at University College Isle of Man was accepted in principle, ministers noted that changes would need to await new regulations scheduled for Tynwald approval in autumn 2025.

Disability support levels were another area flagged by the PAC for urgent uplift, but the government has opted to review and cost potential changes before committing, again citing financial sustainability.

Other amendments include pushing back deadlines.

A comprehensive implementation plan originally due by May 2025 is now expected in May 2026, to allow more time for detailed analysis and engagement.

Notably, the Council of Ministers accepted a recommendation to work with Treasury on improving data sharing and collection practices - such as using income tax and school results - although it stressed the need for privacy safeguards and a review-based approach.

In total, nine recommendations were accepted outright, while four were accepted with amendments.

The Council of Ministers say it remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the scheme is fair, inclusive, and aligned with the Island’s wider goals.