USI criticises ‘biased’ college grant criteria

STUDENTS have criticised rules which mean young married people must submit their parents’ income to apply for a college grant.

Under the higher education grants scheme funded by the Department of Education, the income used to means test students under the age of 23 is of themselves and their parents.

The student is only considered an independent mature candidate above that age, at which stage their income - and that of their spouse if they are married - is assessed.

Union of Students in Ireland (USI) welfare officer Layne Aston said the State’s attitude is unrealistic.

“When a young person turns 18, they can drink alcohol and vote and they’re thought of as an independent adult by the State, but it’s different when it comes to supporting themself in college,” she said.

“These rules will stop many people from going to college, finances are tough enough but this is another hurdle for students,” said Ms Aston.

She said students who are no longer supported by their parents often cannot get them to supply income details.

The mother of a married third-level student in her early 20s said she was astonished to find such antiquated rules in place.

“Her income is assessed on that of herself and her husband for tax purposes, or if they were applying for social welfare assistance or other State support. As a full-time student, she’s dependent on his income so why, when it comes to her education, is it referred back to her parents?” she asked.

“It’s a discriminatory situation, just like the old civil service rules when you lost all your job benefits if you got married,” she said.

A Department of Education spokesperson said that students under 23 who can provide compelling evidence such as a letter from a social worker that they are estranged from their parents can be assessed without reference to their income.

“In all other cases where a candidate is under 23, details of parents’ or guardians' income is required for the purpose of the means test under the schemes of student support,” the spokesperson said.

The deadline for grant applications to local authorities and VECs passed on Tuesday.

The full grant is available to students with an income under €33,890, but the threshold rises if there are more than three children in the family.

The top rate is €2,945 for students at a college more than 15 miles from home, but a special rate of almost €5,000 is payable to students whose families receive a social welfare payment and with an income of less than €14,700 last year.

The second round of college offers will be issued by the Central Applications Office (CAO) tomorrow.

More than two-thirds of the 46,000 people offered a course last week have accepted their place before Tuesday evening’s deadline, but around 1,000 more can expect an offer this time around, based on last year’s figures.