The student package is known as Ascent and comprises free banking, an ATM card, a chequebook with 12 cheques, commission free foreign currency, a voucher for the USIT International Student Identity Card and an interest bearing current account which offers an interest rate of 1.25-1.75 per cent.

BOI is offering a preferential rate of 10 per cent on giant advances, to facilitate students whose grants are delayed. A letter from the local authority confirming grant entitlement is required as security.

Student loans are charged at a rate of 10.75 per cent and require a parent or guardian as guarantor.

Loans must be cleared by the end of the following summer, allowing students to work to pay off their debts. Graduates also get free banking for two years and deferred payments on loans if they are looking for ab.

Allied Irish Bank

AIB's Student Plus service has undergone a considerable facelift this year, including a step into cyberspace. The bank now has an e mail address for student queries (aib24hr.iol.ie) as well as a 24 hour freephone numnber (1 800 24 1000) for questions on finance and banking.

The student service is also available in every branch in the country, rather than simply in the 30 designated branches nearest colleges.

Its package offers free banking, commission free foreign currency, an ATM card etc, as well as £5 towards the cost of the college registration fee for first years.

First years also receive a voucher for their USIT card and, if their account is still active after a certain period, a free 10 unit callcard.

Student loans are charged at the Al rate of 10.75 per cent.

Ulster Bank

Ulster Bank offers an attractive package called Dual, including free banking, an ATM card, commission free foreign currency and a booklet of 100 money off vouchers if you open an account with £20.

Where Ulster Bank scores particularly highly is in its loans scheme. All students can avail of a low interest travel loan of around 8.75 per cent (two per cent below the A1 rate) and an interest free overdraft of £300 which must be paid up by the end of the academic year.

National Irish Bank

NIB's Quarter account offers free banking, an ATM card, withdrawal facilities in a number of UK banks and commission free foreign currency and travellers cheques. It also has a competitive overdraft rate of 8.2 per cent APR, and a variable rate on personal loans of 9.3 per cent APR on loans under £3000.