Money money money

It's all money right now, but then when is it not? Specifically, this week the focus falls on what students pay for their education. On Friday UUK released a report and a proud press release stating that top up fees have had no impact on student numbers. This is great news for any universities looking to lift the £3,000 cap on fees in 2009 – conveniently the report will be a key consideration in that review. However, there is less back slapping and noise made about the results that show top up fees have stopped the number of poorer students attending university in their tracks – despite a £392 million investment from the government!
So we can fathom that money is an influential factor in people's decision to attend university (quel surprise). In that case shouldn't we all be a little worried about the decision to scrap the award scheme for scholarships for overseas students?