Your questions answered by Brian Mooney
My teacher's telling me that I have what it takes to go to college. My difficulty is I do not think I could afford to take up a place, especially since it will involve moving away from home - I come from a small town in Co Offaly. Are there any scholarships that I could apply for?
Most third-level colleges offer some form of scholarship and/or assistance to students who experience financial difficulties. However, with regard to major scholarships, a number of possibilities immediately come to mind.
The Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust offers up to 60 scholarships each year to students participating in a broad range of third-level programmes. The trust supports people with talent and ability who, because of economic circumstances or other barriers such as disability, are prevented from reaching their full potential. There are a number of categories from which scholars are selected, including third-level entrants, current third-level students and those pursuing further study in the creative/performing arts.
Candidates for this scholarship must be proposed and supported in their application by a nominating body - usually their school, other education provider, voluntary/community/disability organisation, etc. This is a most attractive scholarship scheme, with awards from €3,200 per annum, depending on the individual's circumstances. The maximum contribution per person is €38,000 for the entire duration of a course. For further details, contact the trust office in the National College of Ireland (www.ncirl.ie or www.bankofireland.ie).
For students hoping to enter an undergraduate degree programme in UCD next September, there is a brand new scholarship opportunity on offer. The UCD 150 Scholarship Programme is an exciting new initiative. The college is offering one scholarship for each of the 32 counties in Ireland - so there will be one for someone from Offaly.
The scholarship will be of interest to talented and highly-motivated students of all ages who find that they are prevented from pursuing the programme of their choice in UCD, for economic reasons. The scholarships are orientated towards helping individuals who face significant obstacles to progression. The total value of the scholarship is €9,000, to be paid over the first three years of an undergraduate degree programme. In addition, UCD 150 scholars will get priority in the allocation of on-campus accommodation in Belfield for the first year of their studies. However, the scholarship does not entitle the holder to free accommodation.
Further information is available on the UCD website www.ucd.ie/horizons/150scholarships, or you could pop along to the UCD December open days for incoming students on Friday, December 9th and Saturday, December10th (www.ucd.ie/horizons/opendays.htm).
In addition to scholarship awards, there are a number of specific measures in place across the higher-education sector to assist students to make ends meet while attending college. Local authorities and VECs manage the higher education grant on behalf of the Department of Education and Science. This is a means-tested grant and potential third-level students are invited to make an application in advance of taking up a place at third level.
The higher education grant does recognise the additional costs incurred for students living away from home through a non-adjacent rate of grant. In addition to the normal rates of grant, there are also special rates of maintenance grant, referred to as the "top-up", aimed at tackling under-representation by disadvantaged students at third level.
Finally, most of the colleges have a student assistance fund to assist students in financial need. The college access officer will be best placed to advise you on eligibility and application procedures. Do not be put off by the cost of attending college. Do your research on scholarships and grants and seek advice from your guidance counsellor, and the access officers in the various colleges.
Brian Mooney is president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. E-mail questions to bmooney@irish-times.ie
