Jack Wall
Question:171 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department operates a grant scheme for widows with a child attending a third level college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4275/01]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
The Department of Education and Science funds four means-tested maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students, which are administered by the local authorities and Vocational Education Committees.
Generally speaking, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means and nationality.
It is open to all candidates, including those who are the children of widows, to submit applications for consideration under the terms of the student support schemes in relation to courses approved for the purposes of the schemes.
Apart from the maintenance grants schemes and the free fees initiative, under which my Department meets the cost of tuition fees for eligible undergraduate students in approved institutions, financial support is also available to students through the student assistance-access fund. The objectives of the fund are to assist students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. The fund is administered by the third level institutions and provides direct financial support to disadvantaged students to assist them to remain on in college to complete their studies.