The Union of Students in Ireland has urged students to apply for grants as early as possible to avoid another meltdown of the grant system, as witnessed in the last academic year.
The current recession will result in a huge hike in the number of people seeking to return to college, including mature students and graduates wishing to up skill. This will put added pressure on the students grant system.
Changes in the circumstances of the parents of students, who have lost their jobs or have suffered a decrease in salary, will also result in more students applying for maintenance grants for the first time.
As part of the student grant scheme 2010, students do not have to wait until mid-August to apply for grants as in previous years.
Details of the new student grant scheme can be found online at www.studentfinance.ie. A downloadable grant form is also available from this website.
USI will host a series of grant information evenings nationwide in August to answer any questions students may have about the grant scheme and to assist them with filling out the grant form.
The organisation will continue to campaign for the enactment of the Student Support Bill, which will ensure a more efficient grant system for the students of Ireland.
USI President, Gary Redmond, said:
“Last year, many students waited up to six months into the academic year to receive their first grant instalment. In light of this, USI is urging all current and new students to submit their maintenance grant application as soon as possible.
By applying for their grant now, students are allowing additional time to ensure that any issues with their applications can be resolved in time for them to receive their grant at the start of term.
Students who find themselves in different circumstances, such as parents losing their jobs or suffering a reduction in income, should also complete a grant application to have their new circumstances assessed in good time.”