We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
THE HIGH COURT has given the State three weeks to file a defence to a request by the Union of Students in Ireland for a judicial review into the new system of third-level grants.
The court fixed a date of October 28 for a further hearing on whether a full review should be held into the new grants system, which came into force for the current academic year.
The president of the High Court, Justice Nicholas Kearns, heard that the State had been unable to file a defence in advance of today’s initial mention of the case because it was unable to find a counsel to do so during the summer break.
Having asked the court for a four week adjournment so that a defence could be submitted, the court granted the State three further weeks to submit a defence.
USI claims existing students had a legitimate expectation that their grants may not be cut so heavily, as some have been under the new scheme.
The new rules for Higher Education grants, introduced this year, requires students to live over 45 kilometres away from their college in order to qualify for the higher rate of grant payments.
That distance had previously been set at 15 miles – meaning that around 25,000 students living in between the two thresholds saw their grants cut significantly.
In some cases, USI says, students have been forced to leave college because their reduced circumstances.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Would be great if the grant could arrive on time even. First year students from low income families can’t afford to wait until mid October for grant decisions to be made. If the grant isn’t there in September then these students haven’t the money for their accommodation ect and they end up being completely excluded. They can’t get loans either unless they have a garantor, which many don’t. The system is a joke.
Well done USI. I’m one of those people.
Delighted to hear this. I had my grant cut by almost â
I hope they restore the automatic qualifying of mature students for the non-adjacent rate also.
There is an appeal process. The form is called ” 2011/12 Notice of appeal in respect of a student grant application” Can be obtain from local authority or Dept. of Education. Good Luck…
Good to see that they’re taking their time with this. While I’m putting myself into debt attending college,waiting to find out I mightn’t even be able to get through this year.
Byran the case covers both the change in distance criteria and the automatic entitlement for mature students.
have your say