Students’ union warns loan scheme may spark fee hike

Student loan schemes organised at a number of colleges could encourage the Government to increase fees, students’ representatives have warned.

The Union of Students in Ireland is also concerned about small print that means any future increases in the student contribution will not be covered by the Bank of Ireland loans, although they do offer favourable interest rates for students’ parents during the study period.

The registration fee is currently set at €2,250 but Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has indicated it will almost certainly rise to €3,000 in the next few years. Over half of all third-level undergraduates are liable for the charge.