Howells has the cash

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