STUDENTS from poorer backgrounds are being offered a financial incentive to keep them in education.

The University of Teesside is offering a package of bursaries and scholarships, worth as much as £6,900 over three years, to eligible students starting a full-time degree course in September next year. This cash is in addition to student grants, loans and fee remission being introduced by the Government.

Students from the lowest income band could have as much as £11,000 per year to support them while studying at Teesside.

Professor Graham Henderson, vice chancellor at the University of Teesside, said: "We want to make sure our students receive as much financial support from the University as possible when we start charging full-time fees of £3,000 from 2006.

"I believe that as a result of the measures we are proposing the new system will be fairer than the existing arrangements because it targets financial support at those who need it most.

"It also gets rid of the requirement for students to pay up-front tuition fees."