title: Applications for fees waivers on medical and psychiatric grounds at an Irish third-level college.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical and mental illness present substantial challenges to college students and authorities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  (1) To characterize medical and psychiatric reasons underlying requests for fees waivers at an Irish third-level college; (2) to identify information included in applications; and (3) to develop proposals for standardizing applications.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined all applications for exemption from fees for medical or psychiatric reasons over two academic years at an Irish third-level college.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and twenty-two students applied for exemptions; 91% were successful. Psychiatric problems were more common than physical illness (64.1 vs. 27.9%). There was wide variation in details provided in applications with few providing details on likely ongoing duration of illness (5.0%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend that (a) a structured medical application form be completed by medical practitioners supporting applications; (b) a medical practitioner review applications; and (c) there should be annual re-audit of this process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Psychiatry, University College Dublin, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Ireland.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Casey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004194:Disease; D004493:Education / Q000191:economics*; D005249:Fees and Charges; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult