DCU offers €18,250 in accommodation grants to 10 students
6th March 2002

Dublin City University is offering five-student residence places free of charge and a further five at 50% discount to students under a special student accommodation scheme.

The scheme is designed to facilitate students who may have to forego their university place because of the high cost of accommodation. It is aimed at students who live a considerable distances from the university.

The student residence scheme is open to students:

• Who qualify for a degree place at DCU
• Who live beyond commuting distance from DCU
• Whose parental income is such that it would prove financially impossible for the student to take up a university place.

The grant is given for the duration of each student's degree studies. The value of free on-campus accommodation is circa €2,500 per annum. Most degrees are 4-year programmes.

Despite the abolition of fees, higher education is not equally accessible to all. Even though there has been a large increase in the number of students going on to third level study, this increase is not evenly distributed throughout all sectors of society. The higher education maintenance grant is regarded as totally inadequate for students from low-income families who have to rely on it to survive.

"The accommodation grant is one of a number of initiatives organised and managed by the DCU Access Office." Maeve O'Byrne, Access Officer explains. "Students, parents and teachers can contact us directly for details (01 700 5493).

We aim to overcome barriers that prevent students going on to third level education and we are actively involved in a network of secondary schools to motivate students. DCU students go out to these schools and tutor the secondary students. We pioneered a direct entry programme whereby students could apply directly to us for a university place even if they were unlikely to get the CAO points. We assess their ability using criteria other than points and provide a support service for them when they arrive on campus. This scheme has now expanded to include a number of other universities thereby giving students greater choice. This year we admitted 57 students under this Access Programme."

ENDS

For further information:

Maeve O'Byrne: 01 700 5493