HEAR Scheme supports eligible students to access places in 3rd level
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a college and university admissions scheme for school leavers that works parallel to the CAO system. It offers places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are resident in the Republic of Ireland and under the age of 23 in the January of entry to college. Mature and FET (Further Education and Training) students have their own admissions routes and should contact admissions offices in the colleges.
Eligibility
HEAR applicants must meet a range of financial, social and cultural indicators to be eligible. Students must meet Indicator 1 (low income) and a specific combination of two other indicators which include – medical/GP visit cards, means-tested social welfare payments, occupation status of parent or guardian (Socio-Economic group), disadvantaged status of the school (DEIS or non-DEIS) and local area. Other factors considered include children who are in the care of the State, HSE or TUSLA.
Deadlines
Applications to HEAR can only be made online through CAO at www.cao.ie by firstly applying to CAO by February 1st at 5.15pm. Then the HEAR application must by filled out online by March the 1st at 5.15pm and supporting documentation must be sent to CAO by March 15th at 5.15pm. These deadlines are strict and non-negotiable so it is the responsibility of applicants to meet them.
Benefits
A number of places are reserved in higher education courses for applicants that qualify for HEAR so it is possible for applicants to get offered a place if they have not made the cut-off points however many applicants do achieve the required points each year. It is important to note that applicants must still meet the minimum and subject requirements for the particular course. Other academic, personal and social supports include – an Orientation Programme to college/university, extra tuition if needed, study skills & exam preparation, one-to-one meetings with student advisors, social gatherings (when permitted) & mentoring and extra financial assistance when available as well as advice regarding grants and scholarships. Students who are eligible for grants (and who may or may not be eligible for HEAR) must apply separately to www.susi.ie Further information on financial supports for 3rd level are available on www.studentfinance.ie
Application Information Events take place on HEAR every year to provide students and/or parents/guardians to meet online with a member of the HEAR team to discuss the application process and this year the national event will take place on Saturday the 9th of January from 10am-2pm. For further details on information events and on the HEAR scheme itself as well as contact details HEAR support staff in the various colleges see www.accesscollege.ie
A recent documentary series aired on RTÉ 1 explored the journeys of students who entered college through various Access routes including the HEAR scheme and it is well worth a look back at the inspirational stories depicted on ‘My Uni Life’ on the player. The series showed how given the right supports student coming from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds can not only access places in 3rd level but thrive when they actually get there. Research conducted on the educational outcomes of students who have entered higher education through the HEAR scheme have managed very well academically, socially and vocationally which can be contributed in no small way to the hard work of staff in the access office of the various 3rd level institutions in identifying student needs and implementing effective support structures for students on the scheme each year. And of course the sheer hard work and determination of the students themselves. Many HEAR students progress onto postgraduate studies. The positive impact of this scheme can not only be seen in the lives of the students who are supported to overcome the socio-economic disadvantages they have faced but also in their families who take great pride in the accomplishments of participants. Looking at the bigger picture, it is uplifting to see that by seeking to level the playing field for disadvantaged students to access higher education, the HEAR scheme not only improves educational opportunities for one group of students but for the generations that come after them.