Changes in Budget 2010 will affect Mature Student Applications
11 Feb 2010 10:34 AM
The recent rise in mature student applications through the CAO may be a false dawn, warned AONTAS Director Berni Brady.
'Queries from the general public to our Information Referral Service give us reason to believe that many adults who applied through the CAO may not be in the position financially to pursue their ambition of a third level education', said Ms Brady. A total of 71,869 applications were received by the CAO this year, with a 6% increase on 2009 figures and include a steady rise in the number of mature student applications, as a result of economic recession.
Ms Brady was reacting to a statement from Michael D Higgins TD, which accused the Minister for Education Batt O'Keefe of 'changing the rules midstream' for mature students. Measures introduced in Budget 2010 will take effect from September, and mean that those qualifying for the Back to Education Allowance scheme will no longer be eligible for the student maintenance grant.
'For an adult the maintenance grant can mean up to €6,690 per year, and is vital in terms of providing additional finance for someone who may be struggling with the costs of education', she continued. 'From what we are hearing, some adults are seriously reconsidering their applications as the removal of the maintenance grant will mean that a third level education is simply unaffordable and may not be in a position to take up a place if accepted.'
Ms Brady called again for a more unified approach and strategy towards the challenge of upskilling, retraining and responding to the needs of a growing number of people experiencing unemployment and redundancy.
'We need to look at a more integrated approach that listens to the needs of adults who want to return to education,' she said. 'One size does not fit all. If we want to embrace the opportunities presented by the smart economy, then we have to make education financially affordable. Describing the current government response, which will shortly see an investment of €20 million in a new activation strategy, she said 'With these new changes to the grants system, it amounts to giving with one hand and taking away with the other.'
ENDS
For more information, contact
Niamh Farren, Communications Officer 01 406 8220/ 087 9110569
Note to Editor
1. AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation, a membership organisation including 600 organisations, networks and individuals involved in adult and community education.
2. The AONTAS Adult Learners' Festival runs from February 22nd to 26th this year with events happening nationwide. See www.adultlearnersfestival.com for further information.
