Applicants from Low-Income Families
The Institute of Technology Sligo Breaking the Mould Access Programme is designed for students who have the academic ability to benefit from and succeed in higher education but for a variety of social and economic reasons (such as long-term unemployment, low family income, little or no family tradition of progression onto higher education, etc.) are under-represented at third level.
The opportunity to participate in the Breaking the Mould Access Programme is available to students aged 22 and under, attending a post primary school or educational centre in Connaught and County Donegal.
What is Breaking the Mould?
Breaking the Mould will offer eligible students a place in their chosen course if they achieve:
a) minimum entry requirements for that course (eg. mathematics requirement or two honours for a Level 8 programme) and
b) within 10% of the points required for that course.
A bursary will also be offered to eligible students to assist them with the costs associated with making the transition to third level studies. A free Summer School transition programme will be provided immediately prior to registration for participating students to ensure that they benefit fully from higher education. One to one mentoring will also be provided to participating students during their first year.
Who is Eligible to Apply for Breaking the Mould ?
To be eligible for Breaking the Mould, applicants must be:
- An EU citizen by birth or nationalisation
- A non EU citizen with permission to remain in Ireland with a letter from the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform, stating this
- Resident in Ireland or another EU country for three of the last five years
- Aged 22 years or under on January 1st 2011
- A first time CAO applicant who is either a) first time leaving certificate student or b) FETAC Level 5 student who has previously undertaken the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme
- Family income must be dependent on social welfare or on a low income. In cases of addiction, long term illness of a parent or sibling or any other circumstance within the family which reduces the income available or which discourages a student from progressing to third level studies must be confirmed by letter. This must contain details validating the circumstances of the student and should be written by one of the following persons who must not be a relative: member of clergy, medical professional, practising lawyer, notary public / commissioner for oaths, peace commissioner, a member of the Garda Suíochána or school principal. In 2010 the income ceiling for eligible applicants was a family income of €30,500 for the year 2009. It is expected that for entry in 2011, the ceiling in relation to 2010 income will be the same as for last year.
Application
Application for all first year places on courses at Institute of Technology, Sligo is made to the Central Applications Office (CAO), Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway, tel: +353(0)91509800, website: www.cao.ie. A separate Breaking the Mould Application Form must be completed and returned directly to Institute of Technology, Sligo. Institute of Technology, Sligo is not part of the HEAR programme and application forms are available from post-primary schools only. The closing date for Breaking the Mould applications is 5.00pm Tuesday, 1st February 2011. Each student application must be accompanied by supporting financial documentation. A referee’s report must be completed by the school and returned separately. Applicants are also asked on the application form to commit to the two week preparatory Summer School programme.
Entry Requirements
Minimum academic requirements for each course as outlined in the Institute’s prospectus are required by Breaking the Mould applicants. For example, eligible Breaking the Mould applicants must achieve two honours in their Leaving Certificate for entry into a Level 8 programme.
Offers
All offers of first year places at Institute of Technology, Sligo are made through the CAO based on the student’s CAO list of course preferences. At the same time that Round One offers are being made through the CAO, the Access Office in Institute of Technology, Sligo will communicate directly with the applicant to let him/her know if an offer of a Breaking the Mould place will be made on Round Two. If the points for the applicant’s chosen course are reduced on Round Two or subsequent rounds the same process will be followed. The two week preparatory programme is expected to commence on Monday, 29th August 2011.
Financial Information
The free tuition fees scheme of the Department of Education entitles EU students and some non EU citizens to free tuition on all full-time undergraduate programmes at Institute of Technology, Sligo. Breaking the Mould does not cover tuition fees and applicants must satisfy the Access Office at Institute of Technology, Sligo that they are eligible for free fees.
Breaking the Mould Access students are normally eligible for a Higher Education Grant. Information is available from Local Authorities (County Councils/Corporations and VECs) and from the Higher Education Grants Section of the Department of Education and Skills (see www.studentfinance.ie )
A registration fee is payable annually. Last year this fee, set by the Minister for Education and Skills, was €1,500 but this may change for the next academic year. If an applicant is eligible for a Higher Education grant, the registration fee will also be paid by the local authority.
Final Word
Finally, we would like to offer a word of encouragement to prospective Breaking the Mould applicants as you learn about our college and programmes of study. May you find satisfaction in your chosen programme of studies whether in Institute of Technology, Sligo or elsewhere, and may we wish you every success in the future.
Contact Us
Ann McCauley,
Breaking the Mould Co-ordinator, Institute of Technology Sligo
Tel: 071-9137355
Email: breakingthemould@itsligo.ie