Imagine a future where the only people in higher education are Eton-educated toffs, rugby lads and women called Cressida. It's already difficult for many students to finance uni, what with £9k fees and soaring rents, and the Tories are now considering new proposals to squeeze the poorest people out of university.

A godsend for the poorest students is the free student grant, awarded to those who are the least well-off. Students from households with incomes of £25,000 or less get a grant of £3,387 a year, which in many university cities is just enough to cover the rent, but nothing else. 

Proposals to phase out grants started in 2013, but Nick Clegg blocked the idea when he was deputy prime minister. However, Newsnight has found that these cuts are back on the menu. 

The National Union of Students (NUS) is worried that this will make university an even more elitist place, and that less well-off people will be shut out of higher education. NUS vice president Megan Dunn said: 

"We know that our poorest students are the most likely to be deterred by debt, but it could also affect where students choose to live and which courses to take. It will mean staying at home instead of moving into halls or shared accommodation and applying for shorter courses to reduce costs."

"If grants are cut, it could mean the cost of student loans will go up for everyone or repayment conditions will get tougher than they already are. This is yet another unreasonable barrier to accessing higher education."