THE Warrington Guardian asked Priestley College’s student council if plans for unlimited tuition fees will put youngsters off university.

Current AS-level pupils could be the first to face higher fees with reforms due to be made in 2012.

The nine members of the student council all hope to attend university but there were concerns that higher education could become unaffordable.

Sophie Critchley, aged 17, said ending the limit on fees would benefit the rich.

She said: “University will become a place only for the upper classes. Only those who can afford it will be able to go, which will make it elitist.”

Rachel Kay, also 17, said the reforms would punish the middle classes. She said: “(The review) benefits the poor and rich because the poor will get a higher allowance and bursaries while the rich have money anyway,” she said.

“The middle classes will get nothing.”

Alex Rimmer, aged 17, thought the hike in fees would hit key professions.

He said: “People coming out of university with so much debt is not right.

“Those hoping to be doctors and nurses, people who are fundamental to our society, could be put off going to university.”

Jodie McIlwain, also aged 17, was convinced that unlimited tuition fees would create more pressure on the job market.

“With fees going up, less people could go to university and everyone will be coming straight out of college looking for a job at the same time.”

Matthew Rees, aged 17, believes the move could even send the country back into a recession because university hopefuls who cannot afford the costs could end up claiming benefits while they look for a job.

Adam Masterton, aged 18, was sure that fewer teenagers would consider university.

Alex Rimmer summed up the feeling of the council by saying: “We have had no voice on this.

“We were too young to vote in the General Election but these changes could seriously affect us for the long term.”