The number of students receiving grants has fallen by almost 5% in the last year.

According to the latest statistics from the Scottish Government, the number of those in receipt of grants was down 4.8% in 2015/16 when compared to the previous year.

The total number of full-time higher education students receiving some form of support increased by 1.2%, however, to 141,000 in the last year.

The average student getting financial support received £5720, a 2% rise from the previous year.

Much of the increase came from loans. The number of students receiving loans rose to 92,005, a rise of 3.4%.

On the day of the publication of student funding statistics, the Scottish Government announced Virgin Money chief executive Jayne-Anne Gadhia will lead a review into student support structures.

Gadhia's team will be tasked with assessing the fairness and effectiveness of student support structures in Scotland.

The review will examine the support available for the poorest students as well as the repayment limits for student loans.

Gadhia's report will be published in autumn 2017.

She said: "It is important to ensure the student support system is fit for purpose, fair and firmly focused on meeting the needs of all students in further and higher education, particularly the most vulnerable.

"As such, I welcome the opportunity to undertake a comprehensive review of the current systems of student support in Scotland."

Education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "As part of our programme for government, we committed to reviewing student support to make sure the system is fair and effective.

"Therefore I am delighted to announce that Jayne-Anne Gadhia has been appointed to this key role.

"With such strong financial experience, and already contributing to Scottish education as a member of the international council of education advisers, Jayne-Anne will provide a fresh perspective to the work of the review. I look forward to the recommendations that the review group will offer."