We are writing to express our concern at the Department for Education’s decision to stop paying Education Maintenance Allowances in July 2011 to 16- to 18-year-olds, including those who will be half way through their course and those whose household income is less than £20,817 per year.

We are also alarmed that the department is stopping new applications at the end of December before it has alternative arrangements in place.

The overall spending cut, from £574m to possibly as little as £75m, will cause hardship for many young people and their families and force others to narrow their choice.

Across Oxfordshire this would have a huge impact on students coming to our colleges, many of whom would be reliant on this source of income to continue their studies.

We urge ministers to reconsider their decision and to remove financial obstacles to study for young people from low income families.

Teresa Kelly, Principal, Abingdon & Witney College Lesley Donoghue, Acting Principal, Oxford & Cherwell Valley College