Almost 90% of third-level students in Ireland are worried about having to drop out because of the cost of education according to new research released by the Union of Students in Ireland.
More than 870 respondents participated in the national survey of students. 74% of students have thought about dropping out because of the cost of education while 75% have worked in the lead up and during exams.
Work is affecting on the academic success of students with 67% of those surveyed impacted negatively because of work while 63% have missed lectures as a result. 62% said they had worked to the point of burnout to pay for college.
USI said the registration fee of €3,000, which is already the second highest in Europe, should be reduced to make college affordable for every young person who wants to progress to third level education, and to make funding college less stressful.
Kevin Donoghue, President of the USI told The Clare Herald “It’s extremely worrying that so many students are working to the point of burnout, during exams and missing lectures to pay for college. The cost of education is pushing students to breaking point. It’s unaffordable and the compromises so many students have to make to stay in college, such as working to the point of burnout, ironically restrict their academic success.”
USI stressed that the dropout rate and the rate of students who fear having to drop out of college is directly linked with the cost of education, and are calling on Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton to put more financial support in place for students such as increasing the maintenance grant, reducing the registration fee.