Almost a third of students are feeling significant financial pressure according to a new report by the Higher Education Authority.
It blames rent as the biggest burden – with average student accommodation costing nearly €500 a month.
The report says many students are spending more than they earn and are having to rely on family to top them up.
That’s despite nearly two thirds of students having a job.
The report also says that the pandemic has left its mark on students.
Nearly 60% said their mental health had been affected – with female students suffering most.
Despite these struggles, students say they’re generally happy and the report says there’s been a rise in the number of students enrolling in college in recent years.
