Debt worries put students off third level

FEAR of debt is discouraging leaving certificate students from pursuing a college education, a survey shows.

More than half of the students said they did not want to go on to university and almost two-thirds said cost dictated their college choice.

More than 40% said the reintroduction of tuition fees would affect their decision to go to college and a similar percentage said they could not afford to attend college away from home.

More than half also declared their intention to finance their studies by obtaining part-time employment.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI), who conducted the survey of students in Dublin, Cork, and Waterford, said the findings were alarming.

USI president Will Priestly said most worrying was the finding that 53% said they did not want to pursue a third level education.

Although most students had a positive attitude towards higher education, fear of debt was a real turn off.

“At a time of economic downturn, when attaining qualifications of some sort is essential for seeking quality employment, the message needs to be impressed on 17 and 18 year olds that education is the key to a better future,” he pointed out.

The findings also highlighted the need for the introduction of compulsory career guidance to post-junior certificate students.

The students’ union also wants a suitable subject like social studies to ensure that junior cert cycle students are aware of the importance of aiming for a specific discipline in college.

Another worrying finding was that almost 60% of leaving certificate students surveyed were unaware of the supports available to them.

Mr Priestly said they wanted the Department of Education and Science to actively promote benefits available to third level students at the various careers fairs and college open days that are organised throughout the year.

The Department of Education pointed out that over 70% of the 62,485 students who sat their leaving certificate examinations had applied for higher education courses though the CAO system. This percentage did not include students who had directly applied for courses.

Also, maintenance grants had increased by 15% for the 2003/04 academic year, as had the income eligibility limits. A booklet on financial support for further and higher education was also circulated to post primary schools and was also put on the department’s website.

Of the 350 Leaving Certificate students surveyed, 40% said one or both their parents had a university education and 90% said their siblings had or were attending college.

Asked about the most worrying aspects of college life, 45% put studying and the pressures of academic life at the top of their list, followed by having no source of income (21%), and getting into debt (21%).