DCU IS TO MAKE a number of its student residences available to students from a low-income families free or atreduced rates, as it expands its on-campus housing to 500 rooms.

Under the scheme, five rooms will be offered free and a further five will be half-price. According to a spokeswoman for the university, the scheme is being introduced in recognition of the fact that the maximum Hi g her Education Grant is "significantly less" than the amount actually required to support a student attending university.

"This differential inhibits students in low-income families from attending university," she says.

The scheme is open to all students who qualify to be admitted to DCU, who live beyond commuting distance to the college and whose parental income is such "that it would prove financially impossible for the student to attend" otherwise.

Interested students, parents and teachers should apply for application forms, in confidence, before April 1st. Contact the University Secretary, DCU, Dublin 9 (tel: (01) 7045118).