The IFA has said it is strongly opposed to any move to include productive assets, such as farmland, in the assessment of third-level maintenance grants.
IFA President John Bryan said the farming community would not tolerate any changes that would result in children from low-income farm families being excluded from third-level grants.
He said any report that would come up with such a proposal would show a complete bias against farmers and other self-employed people.
Mr Bryan said the IFA made it clear to Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn earlier this year that productive assets are required by self-employed businesses to generate income and are not a measure of additional ability to pay.
He said this means that farmland and other productive assets cannot form any part of a fair means assessment.
The Department of Education said that it wants to target resources to those who need them most.
However, it said no decision has been taken about any change to the treatment of farm or other business assets.
It said Mr Quinn has indicated that the proposal to include capital assets would create a more equitable grants system.
