Fear of debt and the cost of college is deterring a large number of students in Ireland from going on to third level education, a new survey states.
A survey carried out by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) said a total of 74 per cent of second level students would choose a college near their homes and that 63 per cent said their choice of college and course would be determined by financial reasons.
A total of 43 per cent said their decision to attend higher education would be affected by the reintroduction of fees, while 57 per cent said it would not. Some 59 per cent of those interviewed were unaware of the student supports available to them.
Some 350 Leaving Certificate students from schools in the Dublin, Waterford and Cork regions were interviewed for the survey.
The USI said that although, overall, the respondents held positive attitudes towards Higher Education, the fear of debt was deterring potential students from considering it.
The body said is was "alarming" that some 53 per cent of those surveyed did not want to pursue a higher education and recommended the introduction of compulsory career guidance at second level.
USI president Mr Will Priestley said the figures were "alarming" as they showed that fear of debt from attending college is still a major deterrent for many Leaving Cert students.
"It is a matter of grave concern that 59 per cent of Leaving Cert students were unaware of the supports available to them, and we would suggest that the Department of Education and Science endeavour to ensure that these students are totally aware of their entitlements."
Mr Priestley said the fact that 51 per cent of respondents said they intended to finance their studies by obtaining part-time work, shattered the myth that the State or parents totally financed students' education and made a mockery of the idea that State supports alone are adequate for student survival.
"Most worrying of all, 53% stated that they didn't want to pursue a higher education," he said.
"At a time of economic downturn, when attaining qualifications of some sort is essential for seeking quality employment, the message needs to be impressed on 17 and 18 year-olds that education is the key to a better future."
The USI president said the increase of the student grant to basic social welfare levels over a set timeframe was imperative to ensuring that students from less-privileged backgrounds feel empowered to pursue their goal of a third level education.