The college said that students who failed to pay this amount of the fee could face: 

• exam results being withheld,
• computer accounts being disabled,
• library cards being disabled,
• access to medical facilities being withdrawn.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has condemned this action, saying that many LYIT students are still waiting for their student maintenance grant applications to be processed by Letterkenny VEC. Indications are that this will not happen until 2010.

The union has called on LYIT to retract the letter and says that the Government’s failure to implement an adequately efficient student grant system is putting the education of LYIT students in jeopardy.

“USI has contacted LYIT asking that it retracts this unfair ultimatum given to students at the college.” USI president Peter Mannion said.

“Many of these students are still awaiting confirmation of their grant applications and simply do not have the finances to pay even a small portion of the registration fee.

“All colleges were instructed by the HEA, on November 5 last, to show the utmost flexibility to students, who are suffering as a result of the meltdown of the maintenance grant system…

“USI is now seeking legal advice on what options to take in protecting our member students at LYIT,” the USI president said.