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HELEN Jones (THES, December 5) is wrong to say that "students aged over 50 cannot apply for access funding". They can. The requirement to have taken out a loan first does not apply to them. As Jones rightly says, the over-50s are not eligible for loans at present.

Under the new student support arrangements coming in from next year, all students will be eligible for means-tested help towards tuition fees. And all students will be eligible for supplementary hardship loans. Also, part-time students, many of whom are aged over 50, will be eligible for access funds.

Kim Howells, Minister for lifelong learning