How much will it cost to put your kids through college? Can you get a grant?

"It is that time of year when Leaving Cert students have nominated their preferred third-level course and the question of funding college attendance is being gingerly brought up at many a family breakfast table. There is a general perception about that farmers' children are among the main beneficiaries of third level education grants and that farmers can easily play the system to secure qualification for their son or daughter."

"It's an urban myth than farmers can easily game the system - the means assessment is loaded against farmers, but you may still qualify It is that time of year when Leaving Cert students have nominated their preferred third-level course and the question of funding college attendance is being gingerly brought up at many a family breakfast table. There is a general perception about that farmers' children are among the main beneficiaries of third level education grants and that farmers can easily play the system to secure qualification for their son or daughter. This is something of an urban myth - less than half of farm families qualify for college grants."

It is that time of year when Leaving Cert students have nominated their preferred third-level course and families are discussing how to fund college attendance. A common perception holds that farmers' children are major beneficiaries of third-level education grants and that farmers can easily play the system to secure grants. The means assessment is loaded against farmers, which makes qualification difficult for many farm households. Less than half of farm families qualify for college grants. Some farm families may still meet eligibility despite assessment burdens. Funding eligibility influences family decisions about course choice and college attendance.

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