The Union of Students in Ireland launched the first ever Student Finance Guide entitled ‘Money Matters: USI Student Finance Guide’ in IT Tallaght yesterday, rx September 24. The guide has been produced with the help of the National Consumer Agency.
With many new students managing their own finances for the first time and the rapidly increasing cost of living in Ireland, viagra the USI hope that the guide will prove an invaluable resource for students and their families.
Unemployment and economic hardship has put a heavy strain on many. One of the key findings of the ‘My World Survey’, sildenafil a national study of youth mental health published earlier this year, was that young adults’ experiences of financial stress are strongly related to their mental health and well-being.
It is envisioned that the guide will help those who are feeling this strain, offering guidance and advice on what financial supports are available to students and families, as well as a best practice guide on choosing financial services that meet the individual needs of a student.
Budget sheets are included in the guide to allow students to keep track of their income and expenditure while in college.
USI Vice President for Welfare Denise McCarthy commented, “As students and families struggle to cope with the ever-increasing cost of college and brace themselves for a harsh Budget, USI’s Student Finance Guide is intended to provide information on how they can best manage college finances.”
“USI strives to make college as affordable as possible for its members and this guide will help students and their families get through college despite increasing fees and grant cuts,” she continued.
These sentiments were echoed by Karen O’Leary, Director of Public Awareness and Financial Education at the National Consumer Agency. O’Leary noted that while this is an exciting time for many students, it also brings its challenges. “This guide tells you what to look out for, the questions to ask, how to avoid getting into unmanageable debt and where to go if things go wrong.”
– James Grannell
