Is Geography a Barrier to Education? the under-representation of low-income households in Higher Education are inadequate financial supports through the SUSI grant, this is more apparent for students who have to travel by car or public transport to their chosen place of study.
By Marcella Stakem, Social Justice Research and Policy Officer
Participating in Higher Education is an important policy objective in Ireland. However, we continue to see persistent social inequality in higher education with low-income households being one of the named groups not to participate at levels experienced by their more advantaged peers. SVP members see this reality through home visitation and the administration of SVP Education Bursary schemes for Further and Higher Education. One of the reasons members cite for
26 | The Ozanam Bulletin
The maintenance grant is provided to assist with a student’s day to day living expenses. It is calculated at two rates: adjacent and non-adjacent, depending on the distance between a student’s home and college. The adjacent rate is payable if the student’s home is determined by the awarding authority to be 45km or less from the approved institution they are attending. The nonadjacent rate is payable in all other cases. The non-adjacent grant rate was changed from 24km to 45km in Budget 2011 which has had a significant impact on households which SVP support. To qualify for the highest level of support from SUSI; the special grant rate, last year’s household income should be under €24,000 and at least one member of the household is dependent on social welfare. Where the student is eligible for the non-adjacent payment and on the special rate, they
