Caroline Cahill, a 46-year-old mother of two from Newtownmountkennedy, shares her inspiring story of returning to university at the age of 43 and how the Susi grant has empowered her to pursue her long-held ambition. Despite challenges, she emphasizes the crucial support system available for mature students.
Case Study: mature student Caroline Cahill says the Susi grant has enabled her to study for a degree during a challenging time
After her marriage broke down, the mother of two realised she had an opportunity to fulfil an almost-lifelong ambition and attend university more than two decades after leaving secondary school. “It was a personal interest and also the need and desire to have some sort of work or career at the other side of it,” she says. “You’re using your time in a really productive way to build something for yourself and your kids.”
Reacting to new data from the Central Statistics Office which shows mature students in receipt of Susi grants are more likely to complete their degree than those not in receipt of financial support, she believes this is down to “appreciation”. She would not have been able to undertake a degree without the Susi grants towards fees and living costs while a student, says Cahill, adding: “It just takes off the worry at the end of every month.
Mature Students UCD Higher Education Susi Grant Career Change
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