With government agencies such as the Western Development Commission suggesting there should be a focus on education as part of the push to create jobs and growth in the west it is clear that colleges such as GMIT Castlebar are of huge significance for the area.
That is according to three time GMIT Castlebar student union president Alan Judge who has welcomed the conclusions of the WDC and is encouraging all students, current and prospective, to apply to their grant awarding body as soon as possible.
According to the WDC’s new policy briefing Education, Enterprise & Employment: How can better integration of the 3Es drive growth in the Western Region? the western region is facing significant education, enterprise, and employment challenges. According to the WDC a more integrated approach to these ‘3Es’ is crucial to reverse high unemployment and emigration, particularly among the region’s young people.
Education grant forms for the academic year 2011/12 are now available online from www.studentfinance.ie or from the awarding bodies such as Mayo VEC or Mayo County Council. Also on the website are the changes to the grant allocation.
These include a reduction of four per cent in overall rates of grant. This reduction applies to all existing grant holders and to new grant holders.
The qualifying distance criterion for entitlement to the higher non-adjacent rate of grant (distance from home to the higher education institution ) has been changed from 15 miles (24 kilometres ) to 45 kilometres. This measure applies to all students.
The automatic entitlement of mature students to the higher non-adjacent rate of payment has been removed.
“These changes are sweeping and are going to affect the students in the west of Ireland the greatest,” explained Mr Judge, who added that GMIT Castlebar has a two third mature student campus, a large majority of whom are from the local area.
“These changes mean students commuting to college are now taking a €4,000 hit in their expected entitlements,” said Mr Judge.
He continued: “With the cuts in the grant and the changes in distance criteria many students will struggle to complete their studies here in Castlebar.”
Student Union VP and welfare officer Verity Spencer said: “Our students are finding it difficult with the cost of living remaining high and transport in the west not suitable for daily commutes, there will be an increase in dropout rates and retention of students will become harder and harder as the true social value of these cuts and changes will play out over the year.
“It is hopeful that the words of the WDC and the plights of the GMIT Castlebar students reach the Minister for Education and the west is not simply forgotten about.”
For more information on this, the local student union is working throughout the summer to ensure students are informed and aware of what is happening. Call Alan on 087 752 0575 or email [email protected]
