INISHOWEN Senator
Cecilia Keaveney is pushing for the date when
students can apply for college grants to be brought
forward.
The Student Support Bill proposes bringing the date
forward from August to May 1. However, the Union of
Students of Ireland have expressed concern that the
May date will interrupt students' exam study.
Meanwhile, the Government's Education spokesperson
in the Seanad Senator Cecilia Keaveney said the date
should be even earlier in the year so students can
make their grant applications at the same time as
they apply for college places.
"While the USI outline the fact that May 1 is in the
middle of the examination period for students, there
should actually be strenuous efforts made to assist
students to have the grant application dealt with
alongside the issues of course and college choice,
much earlier in the year," said Senator Keaveney.
“Students are focused in the first couple of months
of the year to choosing their courses and the
colleges or universities. They should be supported
and encouraged to deal with their grant application
at that time also."
She said to facilitate this, the Department of
Education should release the grants criteria much
earlier than the current June date.
"If the data comes earlier from the Department and
therefore the forms come out earlier then career
guidance teachers can assist the student.
"We are currently dealing with this Student Support
Bill in the Oireachtas and while it won't be in
force for the incoming year, I believe this cycle
must be brought forward. In doing so the pressure on
students, Department and VECs would be reduced which
is surely a win for all," she added. |
