Denis Naughten
Ceist:281 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the eligibility criteria for the mature student higher education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2708/03]
Vol. 560 No. 3
281 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the eligibility criteria for the mature student higher education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2708/03]
The higher education grant scheme operates under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992. Under these Acts a mature student is defined as a person of not less than 23 years of age on 1 January in the year of entry to an approved third level institution. The Acts further provide, inter alia, for the making of grants to mature students whose means and those of their parents, where the mature students are dependent on their parents, do not exceed prescribed limits.