Maintenance grant system in meltdown:USI

There’s been no let-up in the delay in getting grants out to third-level students.

The Union of Students in Ireland has today expressed its outrage that over 2,500 students nationwide have still not had their grant applications processed despite only ten weeks being left in the college year.

The 13 per cent increase in the number applying for grants, coupled with the public sector jobs moratorium, has resulted in a backlog in processing of grants this year.

It’s proved to be a major problem in Donegal, whereby both grant offices in Donegal County Council and Donegal VEC had to close for a week before Christmas to deal with delayed applications.

Peter Mannion of the USI says the maintenance grants system is in meltdown.