Information sessions to assist students with grant applications and finding accommodation

The Union of Students in Ireland in conjunction with local Students’ Unions, VECs and local authorities are to hold a number of Grant & Accommodation Information Sessions across the country. The information sessions are aimed at students and the parents of students who are either returning to or starting college this year.

These events will give students and their families the opportunity to find out everything they need to know about the student grants system in Ireland and how to go about looking for accommodation if they are moving away from home.

Free practical help will also be available to students or parents who may need assistance filling out the relevant application forms.

While USI has welcomed the Government’s early announcement of the maintenance grant scheme 2010, which involved a new student friendly application form, USI has called on the Government to ensure that education is accessible to all by committing to no further reduction in the level of the maintenance grant.

Grant application forms are now downloadable from www.studentfinance.ie and will be available from USI at all of the information sessions.

USI President, Gary Redmond, said: 'USI are committed to aiding families in the application process for the student maintenance grant. This grant is the bedrock, upon which many families cope with the ever growing financial obligations of Third Level education. People can come to our Grant Evenings just to ask a simple question, or to get help filling out the relevant forms.'

This year we are demanding that our politicians resist any attempt by the Government to cut the rate of the maintenance grant for a second successive year. Any further reduction in the grant would put third level education out of the grasp of many families.'

Scheduled Grant & Accommodation Information Evenings will be in held in the following locations during the month of August:
 
Thursday 12th, Letterkenny IT, 7pm
Saturday 21st, Tullamore Library, 11am
Saturday 21st, Roscommon Library, 3pm
Monday 23rd, Radisson Hotel, Galway City (Grant Information Only), 7pm
Tuesday 24th, Sligo IT Students' Union, 7pm
Tuesday 24th, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, An Cheathrú Rua, 6.30pm
Wednesday 25th, Athlone IT, 7pm
Wednesday 25th, GMIT/NUI Galway (Accommodation Information Only), 7.30pm
Thursday 26th, GMIT Castlebar, 7pm
Monday 30th, Farnham Arms Hotel, Cavan Town, 6pm
Monday 30th, Longford County Library, 6pm 
Wednesday 11th, Central Library, Waterford City, 7pm
Thursday 12th, Library, Davitt's Quay, Dungarvan, 7pm
Monday 16th, UCC Campus Library, 7pm
Tuesday 17th, Library, Carlow Town, 7pm 
Tuesday 17th, TBC, Clonakilty, 7pm
Wednesday 18th, John's Quay Library, Kilkenny, 7pm
Wednesday 18th, Maldron Hotel, Portlaois Town, 7pm
Thursday 19th, Emmet St. Library, Clonmel, 7pm
Thursday 19th, Source Library, Thurles, 7pm
Thursday 19th, Ashton Hotel, Gorey, 7pm
Monday 23rd, IT Tralee Library (South Campus), 7pm
Tuesday 24th, Library, Killarney, 7pm
Monday 9th, Maynooth Library, 6.30pm
Monday 9th, Naas Town Council, 9pm
Tuesday 10th, Louth County Library, Dundalk, 6.30pm
Tuesday 10th, Barbican, Drogheda, 9pm
Wednesday 11th, Monaghan Library, 6.30pm
Thursday 12th, Navan Library, 6.30pm
Saturday 14th, Arts Centre, Tallaght IT, 11am
Saturday 14th, Balbriggan Library, 2pm
Saturday 14th, DIT Aungier St., 7pm
Tuesday 17th, Bray Library, 6.30pm
Wednesday 18th, Arklow Library, 6.30pm