This article is from page 27 of the 2008-08-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 27 JPG
INCOME limits for student main- tenance grants are set to increase in time for the start of the new aca- demic year.
The new limits are being increased in line with movements in the aver- age industrial wage for students in receipt of the standard rates of poarch oe
The top limit for grant eligibility where there are less than four de- pendent children has been increased from €48,335 to €49,690. This will result in over 56,000 students from households with moderate incomes not having to pay the student service charge.
The increase in the income limits recognises wage increases and will increase the numbers of eligible stu- Ola AE
The annual income threshold for maintenance grants has also in- creased from €18,055 to €20,147 to reflect social welfare increases.
This will help to ensure that stu- dents from families with the lowest incomes qualify for maximum rates of grants.
Anyone who thinks they might be eligible should check the ‘Students and Trainees’ section of the Depart- ment website, www.education.ie.