USI Reminds Students Of CAO Change of Mind Deadline

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is encouraging all Leaving Certificate students to take one last look at their CAO applications, as their last opportunity to change their application is at 5.15pm today.

Approximately 60,000 Leaving Certificate candidates sat the State exams this year and their college choices represent a major decision for each student.

There is no fee for using the CAO Change of Mind facility, operated through the CAO website or by using the official Change of Mind form.

Once the CAO receives your Change of Mind or Late Application form, it will send out a new Statement of Course Choices, which you should receive no later than July 7.

Some courses are ‘restricted’, were it is not possible to apply late or to choose them with a Change of Mind form.

This week the USI protested against the massive slashing of student grants by the Minister for Education & Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD.

Students from colleges across Ireland demonstrated outside the Labour Party Head Office in Dublin with a giant replica of “Quinnocchio”, with his strings being pulled by his puppet master Enda Kenny TD.

During Election 2011, the Labour Party signed a pledge not to increase fees or to cut student grants. However, in recent weeks, Minister Ruairí Quinn TD has decided to implement student fee increases of €500 and reductions in the level of grants by up to 60%.

The USI is calling on Minister Quinn to reverse the penalties placed on the students of Ireland. The Minister must ensure that they are given the opportunity to contribute to the prosperity and recovery of our economy in the future.

Gary Redmond, USI President, said: “USI is urging Leaving Certificate students to think hard about the applications they have already submitted to the CAO. This is your last chance to change your mind about your college applications and the career you wish to study for over the next few years.

"These Leaving Certificate students are ending one chapter of their lives and beginning another, and USI hopes that they would do so with enthusiasm and gusto.

"However, one has to wonder how many of these students will be prevented from continuing onto Higher Education in September due to cuts to the maintenance grant and the reality of higher fees.

"Many students and their families voted for the Labour Party because they signed the USI pledge not to increase the registration fee or introduce an alternative student contribution. Since the education minister has reneged on this pledge, we have been inundated with calls from Leaving Cert students and their families who are extremely concerned about being able to afford to go to college in September.

"USI is calling on Minister Quinn to reverse his unfair student fee hikes and grant cuts and acknowledge the gross misleading of young people and their families by his Labour Party.”

(BMcN/DW)