An access programme at IT Sligo called Breaking the Mould provides opportunities for students who, for a variety of social and economic reasons, may not otherwise not have been in a position to go on to third level education.
The Programme has been designed for students who have the ability to benefit from and succeed in higher education, but who may not have attended because of long-term unemployment, low family incomes, or little or no family tradition in progressing to higher education.
Students who are successful in applying for the programme are offered a place in their chosen course if they achieve the minimum entry requirements and are within 10 per cent of the points required under the CAO.
They receive a bursary to assist them with their transition into third level and they also benefit from a free summer school transition programme and one to one mentoring through the IT Sligo Access Office during the year.
Access Officer Catherine Mc Nelis explains that the Programme demonstrates IT Sligo’s commitment to improving access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds: “This programme offers a helping hand to students who otherwise might find the prospect of starting a course in third level too intimidating for financial reasons, or otherwise. The one-to-one mentoring provides them with practical support to ensure that they settle into college life.
“Many families may not have thought that sending their children to third level was an option for them for a variety of reasons, but this Programme opens the door for them and enables them to make that important first step.”
The Breaking the Mould Programme is open to applications from students in Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, and Galway aged 22 or under on January 1st, 2011. Applications forms are available at all secondary schools or from the Access Office in IT Sligo at 071 9137355.
Deadline for applications is February 1st, 2011.
Deadline for applications to the Breaking the Mould Programme is February 1st.