The ASC are undertaking a consultation with stakeholders this summer on the student finance debate and ASC’s ‘bursaries not loans’ policy.  Alexander will be leading ASC’s response to the consultation, to ensure a prominent place for college students in the Scottish Government’s agenda.

28,000 higher national students are currently studying at Scotland’s Colleges, the majority at HNC level.  With an average age of 31, these students live in households with an average income of less than £18,000 and juggle up to nine different income streams.  

Commenting on his new role, Alexander said: “I am delighted to be joining the ASC and looking forward to getting stuck into the debate on student support once again. Often this debate is too focussed on university students and, whilst of course they are important, the students of Scotland’s Colleges should be of equal consideration to Government Ministers.

“I am determined to ensure that that Scotland’s Colleges are heard loud and clear in the ongoing debate on student support.”

Howard McKenzie, Acting Chief Executive of the ASC said: “I am very pleased to welcome James to what is a strong policy team at ASC.  His experience campaigning for the rights of students at Scotland’s Colleges will be incredibly valuable, and I know my colleague Principals are grateful for the level of support the NUS currently offers to college students. 

“James will play an important role in Scotland's Colleges’ ambitious plans to ease the financial burden of studying at further and higher education level. It is essential that the system of student support is reformed to boost the number of skilled people entering the job market at technician level. Our economy is crying out for people at this level, and to achieve this we must have a fair system that recognises university and college students equally.

“We see the best way of doings so as replacing the current system of student loans with a fair and affordable system of means-tested bursaries administered by the local College that enables students to dovetail into the benefit systems, council tax relief, paid employment and other income streams.”