AONTAS Welcomes Increase in Maintenance Grants
2 Jul 2007 04:15 PM
AONTAS, has particularly welcomed the increase in the 'special rate' of higher and further education maintenance grants to €6,690 and the increased threshold for the "special rate" to €18,055. However, this increase is only available for applicants in receipt of a social welfare payment; low income workers earning less than threshold (€18,055) are not eligible for the 'special rate'.
Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS, said: "AONTAS has consistently lobbied for greater financial supports for learners to ensure that every individual has the possibility of furthering their education. Today's announcement is a heartening sign that the government is committed to supporting learners.
"The government should build on this further by amending the criteria for the 'special rate' to include all applicants' reckonable income regardless of social welfare payment. In order to ensure high rates of participation in third level education low income mature students must be eligible for the "special rate" of maintenance grant'.
AONTAS further recommends the removal of part-time fees and an extension of the qualifying criteria for maintenance grants to include part-time students. This would reduce the financial barriers which act as a disincentive to many part-time students also wishing to access further and higher education.
The announcement on the increase in maintenance grants was made by Minister for Education & Science, Mary Hanafin TD yesterday (1 July 2007).
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