“Today a very special day for the part time learner in Higher Education” said Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD at the launch of a new part-time fee scheme for specified undergraduate courses. 
AONTAS attended the launch of the new initiative yesterday, which aims to provide support and flexibility for people who wish to access higher education but are not able to attend their chosen course full-time.
Launching the scheme, the Minister said: “The introduction of a part-time Scheme incorporating both in-person and blended courses is a very significant milestone for inclusivity. We know, due to people’s personal circumstances and responsibilities, full time education may not be an option for everyone.”
The National Access Plan to Higher Education highlighted fees as a barrier to higher education for priority groups including students who are socio-economically disadvantaged, members of the Traveller and Roma Communities and students with a disability. While providing finanical support to these groups, the new initiative will also provide much needed flexibility to those who need it most: students from low-income families, lone parents, teen parents, widows and carers.
We at AONTAS welcome the news of the scheme and have long called for this change to be made by the Government. We believe the flexibility and financial support the scheme provides will enable a wider range of people in underrepresented areas of our society to access quality education.
Responding to the launch of the new scheme, AONTAS Head of Advocacy and Policy Conor Thompson said: "I commend Minister O'Donovan's initiative to support part-time study in higher education. Many adults in Ireland face financial barriers to education, and support with part time course fees is a fantastic step towards making education more accessible to anyone who can't take part on full time programmes. We hope to see this scheme be expanded into all areas of our tertiary education system- with a focus on the participation of communities who have been excluded from higher education in the past."
Adult learner Linda Redmond spoke during yesterday's launch. After years attending part time courses at the Techonological University of the Shannon (TUS), she is finally graduating with Bachelor Degree in Business this October. She spoke of the life-changing impact adult education has had on her career and life, saying that every year her finacial circumstances determined whether she could continue in her education. Linda believes this part time fee scheme will help many others to feel the sense of pride and achievement she does today.
While this is the pilot phase of the scheme and the full list of approved courses can be found here, the Minister indicated that he hopes the courses that are not listed in this round, “will be there next year”.
Students must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the scheme, including nationality, progression and residency criteria. Applicants will also be means-tested, the total income of their household must be below the threshold of €55,924.
Speaking with hope for the new scheme, the Minister said: "This is a block on the construction of a road bringing more people into education. Everyone in Ireland, regardless of Eircode, should be entitled to education, regardless of employment circumstances or financial situation."
People who wish to apply for the scheme can apply via the SUSI website, applications are now open.
AONTAS continues to advocate for quality education for all adult learners. This September we will be launching our 'Holding You Back' campaign, which will highlight the financial barriers holding adults back from education in Ireland today.