XN000022-1973-06-01 — Page 2

Friday, June 1, 1973

UNIVERSITY FEES TO RE REVISED

Student fees at the two Universities are to be increased with

effect from July 1, 1974, to coincide with the start of the next university financial quadrennium.

In anticipation of the fee increase the government has already agreed that the grant element of the existing scheme for financial aid to students will be adjusted as necessary.

Provision already approved

in respect of the current financial year is $2.8 million.

A new uniform fee of $1,750 per annum will apply to all students reading for first degrees at both the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. At present the fees vary from $800 to $1,560 according to the university attended and the subject studied.

Introduction of the new fees, which have been agreed by the universities after discussions with the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee, will be phased by making them applicable only to new entrants, starting with those joining for the academic year 1974/75. Existing students will not be affected and will continue to pay fees at present levels while reading for their bachelor degrees.

In addition to the provision for grants under the financial aid programe, the fund for interest free loans to students has recently been increased by $6,250,000 to a total of $21,250,000, and it is estimated that loans, processed by the Joint Universities Committee on Student Finance, will reach $10,541,000 for the current financial year.

The scheme ....