Cost of college and rising rents push students to ‘breaking point’

The cost of third-level education is a major concern for the vast majority of third-level students, according to a new survey from the Union of Students in Ireland which found that 87 per cent fear having to drop out.

The online poll of 878 students from across Ireland revealed three quarters have worked in the run up to or during exams, while the majority of students, 63 per cent, said they had missed lectures because of work.

Three quarters of students have worked more than 15 hours per week to pay for college, with 67 per cent saying work had negatively affected their academic success.

USI president Kevin Donoghue said the cost of education is pushing students to breaking point.

Point of burnout

“It is unaffordable, and the compromises that so many students have to make to stay in college, such as working to the point of burnout, restricts their academic success,” he said.

O’Donoghue said the dropout rate, as well as the rate of students who fear having to drop out of college, is directly linked to the cost of education.

He said nearly 60 per cent of students have missed meals due to a lack of money, and called on Minister for Education Richard Bruton to increase the maintenance grant, reduce the registration fee and address the student accommodation crisis.

Why Students Leave, a study of 4,000 students released earlier this year by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, cited financial worries, poor course choices and health and medical issues - particularly mental health issues - among the reasons why students drop out of third-level.

USI is the representative body for 354,000 students in third-level education on the island of Ireland.

Katie Quinlan (22), a student, has worried about dropping out of college due to rising rents and living costs. "I'm from Tipperary and I always knew I wanted to go to UCC and study arts. Shortly after I entered college, my dad had a serious accident at work, and we were soon hit with heavy medical expenses," she said.

Parents struggling

“By the time I reached third year, my parents were really struggling: my sister wanted to go to third-level and my brother was still in school.

“Every year, I paid what I could of the registration fee and then scrambled around for the rest. I had a part-time job for a while, but there wasn’t enough work for me.

“Rent and living costs were rising and I fell just outside the grant thresholds because on paper, we had enough money; in reality, medical expenses were eating it away. Mom and Dad were giving me money to help me through the week, but I was filled with guilt.

“I thought about dropping out, many times. But my parents are and were so supportive. They moved mountains to help me and get me through. I’m not sure everyone would be so lucky.”