Letterkenny councillor Jimmy Kavanagh has encouraged students to get their CAO applications in early before the reduced fee deadline.
Anyone applying to the CAO can avail of the reduced fee of €30 until Saturday, 20 January.
Applications made after that date will have to pay the standard fee of €45.
Fine Gael Cllr. Kavanagh said: “I want to encourage all students to get their CAO applications in early this week.
“By applying early students will be able to avail of the reduced rate for their application fee, make a small saving for them and their family and won’t have to worry about the closing deadline on February 1st.
“Students should also be aware that this application doesn’t require them to have course choices finalised.
“They’ll have opportunity to add and remove courses when the change of mind facility opens later in the year” Cllr. Kavanagh added.
“By applying early you’ll save money and avoid the pressure on February 1st, when the application process closes.”
In 2023, nearly 60% of students received their first choice offer while 85% of students received one of their top three preferred courses.
There are also more course choices on offer for students in 2024, as well as many different third-level options, including new courses outside of the CAO points race.
Fine Gael Minister Simon Harris for Further and Higher Education added: “When making your choices, I am encouraging students to follow their passion and interests.
“There are so many different pathways available in further and higher education.
“If university is the route you are following, there are many options available to you.
“If you don’t feel university is the path you want to follow at this time, you could find the course you want in a Further Education college or you might want to take up an apprenticeship.
“Only last week I announced we were increasing the number of apprenticeships coming on stream with close to 100 different courses available this year, these range from Robotics, to Social Work, to Digital Marketing and so much more.”
