Colleges rely on funding from business to assist poor students

COLLEGES are relying heavily on funding from business to help students from poor backgrounds because of uncertainty about State supports, a conference heard yesterday.

A major focus of Government strategies and funding for third level education in recent years has been the number of students from under-represented socio-economic groups in each institution.

However, the head of Trinity College Dublin’s access programmes said that such schemes have operated on uncertain year-to-year funding for the past decade.

“In order to make a real impact and sustainable commitment to schools, communities and students from lower-income groups, access programmes urgently need a long-term funding model,” said Cliona Hannon.

She was speaking at an international symposium hosted by TCD about how business and higher education are working together to widen access. The Trinity Access Programme currently supports 430 students, strongly aided by financial support from the corporate sector.

Various reports in the past few years have highlighted success in improving the participation of poorer students, people with disabilities and mature students, aided by Government support. But, according to TCD Provost Dr John Hegarty, significant future challenges are still being faced.

“Challenges include the requirement by the HEA that at least 30% of the funding is sought elsewhere and the need to engage with the corporate sector in order to do this,” Ms Hannon said.