Finian McGrath
Question:158 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding grant aid in respect of persons (details supplied). [11205/11]
View answerTuesday, 17 May 2011
Questions (127)
Written answers
Under my Department's student grant schemes, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. Details of the 2011/12 student grant scheme are due to become available following publication, currently planned for end-May 2011. Information and application forms will then be made available on the website, www.studentfinance.ie which also provides comprehensive information on the full range of supports available in further and higher education, including the student grant, the Student Assistance Fund and other relevant supports. New applicants may apply for grant assistance to their local authority or Vocational Education Committee, depending on their choice of course. Online application will be possible for a number of grant awarding authority areas. Eligible students with particularly low reckonable incomes may also qualify for the special rate or “top-up” grant.
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third-level admissions scheme for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme is operated by a number of higher education institutions and not by my Department. Admissions to the institutions are regulated by the institutions themselves. The Deputy may wish to contact the Irish Universities Association, which operates the HEAR scheme on behalf of participating institutions. Further details are available at www.accesscollege.ie.