A consultation has been launched into regulations for student awards.

Awards provide students with support with tuition fees in addition to maintenance grants and disabled students’ allowances.

The online questionnaire seeks students’, parents’ and contributors’ views on policy principles of the student awards to form the basis of a full review of the regulations.

It covers a number of areas identified by the Department of Education, including the challenges faced by students during the pandemic, the island’s economy and skills shortages, the current definition of ’income’ and the treatment of cultural subjects, such as art and drama courses.

The amendment to the regulations was approved at the June sitting of Tynwald.

It will increase contributors’ income thresholds in line with the Manx living wage so that more people on a lower level of income will be eligible for a full maintenance grant.

These regulations also increase the maximum tuition fee grant for distance learning making it equivalent to the level of tuition fee grant for those students who leave the island to study.

Alex Allinson MHK, minister for Department of Education, Sport and Culture, said: ’This is an important opportunity for students, parents, carers, employers, teachers and anyone with an interest in further education to contribute to the future of the student awards system on the Isle of Man.

’I would encourage people to take part in the consultation and provide feedback to help shape our vision for student awards.’

The responses to this consultation will inform a full update of the regulations by the end of the year.

It will remain open until July 22.

The public can take part in the questionnaire by visiting the consultation hub online.