SUSI system is a joke.

OkeyDoke12 · 13-07-2014 11:44pm #1

After I completed my Leaving Cert in 2010 I studied a Level 7 Computing course in DKIT however I dropped out after first year. I was awarded a student grant (fees were paid for and I got money each academic month)

Last year I studied a level 6 FETAC awarded course and recently I got offered a place in Year 2 of a Buisness and Administration course (Level 7) in DKIT. I went onto the Susi website to apply for a grant I am eligible for BTEA and all I need is my fees paid for but according to the SUSI website I am "dependant on a parent/guardian" when in actual fact I am not. I am now 21 years of age and have been co-habitating with my girlfriend since Feb 2013. We both rent an apartment and have our own bills (eircom, electric ireland etc) we are both getting JSA and I am in no way relaint on my parents as I do not live at home.

I am just wondering if there is anyway I can change my status from "dependant on a parent/guaridan" to "independant adult" as I am an independant adult as I have already stated above.

If my status can't be changed then I am not be going to college as I am not in employment at all and I have little or no contact with my parents so basically if I can't get my college fees paid I will not be going to college.

Has anyone got any advice on what I should do?

maneno · 13-07-2014 11:48pm

If you are under 23, you are assessed as a dependent,thats just the rules,hope you find help
If you were not residing with your parents as of october last year,then you are classified as independent,compile as much proof as you can and re apply, edited after rereading your op

OkeyDoke12 wrote: »

After I completed my Leaving Cert in 2010 I studied a Level 7 Computing course in DKIT however I dropped out after first year. I was awarded a student grant (fees were paid for and I got money each academic month)

Last year I studied a level 6 FETAC awarded course and recently I got offered a place in Year 2 of a Buisness and Administration course (Level 7) in DKIT. I went onto the Susi website to apply for a grant I am eligible for BTEA and all I need is my fees paid for but according to the SUSI website I am "dependant on a parent/guardian" when in actual fact I am not. I am now 21 years of age and have been co-habitating with my girlfriend since Feb 2013. We both own an apartment and have our own bills (eircom, electric ireland etc) we are both getting JSA and I am in no way relaint on my parents as I do not live at home.

I am just wondering if there is anyway I can change my status from "dependant on a parent/guaridan" to "independant adult" as I am an independant adult as I have already stated above.

If my status can't be changed then I am not be going to college as I am not in employment at all and I have little or no contact with my parents so basically if I can't get my college fees paid I will not be going to college.

Has anyone got any advice on what I should do?

OkeyDoke12 · 13-07-2014 11:51pm

maneno wrote: »

If you are under 23, you are assessed as a dependent,thats just the rules,hope you find help

Can you reccomend any alternatives?

maneno · 13-07-2014 11:53pm

You are entitled to be classified as independent because you have lived with your girlfriend as of feb last year,if you have any bills etc, i suggest you send it to them

aaabbbb · 13-07-2014 11:55pm

Its possible to be assessed independently if you can prove that you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents.

OkeyDoke12 · 13-07-2014 11:57pm

maneno wrote: »

You are entitled to be classified as independent because you have lived with your girlfriend as of feb last year,if you have any bills etc, i suggest you send it to them

Yes I have been living with my girlfriend since Feb 13 and I can prove this as we have been getting Rent Allowance since then.

OkeyDoke12 · 13-07-2014 11:57pm

aaabbbb wrote: »

Its possible to be assessed independently if you can prove that you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents.

I do not want to be going down that route if at all possible.

Annasopra · 14-07-2014 9:52am

There is no alternative because you are under 23 you cannot be classed as independent. There are 2 alternatives 1 to be assessed on your parents income, 2 to prove you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents

James__10 · 14-07-2014 10:37am

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

There is no alternative because you are under 23 you cannot be classed as independent. There are 2 alternatives 1 to be assessed on your parents income, 2 to prove you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents

Double post

OkeyDoke12 · 14-07-2014 10:58am

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

There is no alternative because you are under 23 you cannot be classed as independent. There are 2 alternatives 1 to be assessed on your parents income, 2 to prove you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents

That is a complete and utter joke considering I have not been living at home since Feb 2013 which as I said above I can prove.

I have barely if ever seen my parents since then however I do not want to be going down the irreconcilably estranged route as things could get messy.

Looks like I won't be going to college now!!

OkeyDoke12 · 14-07-2014 11:35am

Is there any other alternatives to getting the fees paid?

Annasopra · 14-07-2014 12:17pm

Could you get assessed on your parents income?

OkeyDoke12 · 14-07-2014 12:19pm

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Could you get assessed on your parents income?

Doubt it the last I heard from them they were both working full time.

maki · 14-07-2014 12:28pm

You're eligible for the Free Fees scheme on your tuition fees, so the only thing you'll need to pay is the levy (€204, and not covered by any grant) and student contribution (€2,750, covered by a fee grant).

Income limits for the student contribution part of a fee grant are quite high at approximately €50k per annum for 100%, and €55k for 50%, so there's a reasonable chance your parents' incomes fall below this.

Failing that you could get a loan. €2,750 isn't a lot to pay back over a year, depending on your circumstances.

OkeyDoke12 · 14-07-2014 12:38pm

maki wrote: »

You're eligible for the Free Fees scheme on your tuition fees, so the only thing you'll need to pay is the levy (€204, and not covered by any grant) and student contribution (€2,750, covered by a fee grant).

Income limits for the student contribution part of a fee grant are quite high at approximately €50k per annum for 100%, and €55k for 50%, so there's a reasonable chance your parents' incomes fall below this.

Failing that you could get a loan. €2,750 isn't a lot to pay back over a year, depending on your circumstances.

Where do I apply for the free fees scheme? And can I apply as a independent student?

maki · 14-07-2014 12:49pm

OkeyDoke12 wrote: »

Where do I apply for the free fees scheme? And can I apply as a independent student?

You don't need to apply for it. If you're eligible you'll get it automatically, as you would have done in first year.

OkeyDoke12 · 14-07-2014 12:51pm

maki wrote: »

You don't need to apply for it. If you're eligible you'll get it automatically, as you would have done in first year.

When I was in first year in DKIT back in 2010 I was receiving the maintenance grant.

maki · 14-07-2014 12:55pm

OkeyDoke12 wrote: »

When I was in first year in DKIT back in 2010 I was receiving the maintenance grant.

Maintenance grant doesn't cover fees.
You got your tuition fees paid under the Free Fees scheme; everyone does.

OkeyDoke12 · 14-07-2014 12:58pm

maki wrote: »

Maintenance grant doesn't cover fees.
You got your tuition fees paid under the Free Fees scheme; everyone does.

So what do I do ? Do I just start college normally in September and tell them I'm eligible for the free fees scheme?

Under the free fees scheme my fees are paid for and all I have to pay is €206

maki · 14-07-2014 1:03pm

OkeyDoke12 wrote: »

So what do I do ? Do I just start college normally in September and tell them I'm eligible for the free fees scheme?

Under the free fees scheme my fees are paid for and all I have to pay is €206

Yes, but they'll only cover tuition fees.
You'll need to pay the €204 levy yourself, and either get a fee grant from SUSI (or a loan) to cover the remaining €2,750 student contribution fee, which isn't covered by the free fees scheme.

To clarify, there are 3 parts to fees:
Tuition (covered by free fees scheme or fee grant)
Student Contribution (covered by grant)
Levy (not covered)

OkeyDoke12 · 14-07-2014 1:06pm

maki wrote: »

Yes, but they'll only cover tuition fees.
You'll need to pay the €204 levy yourself, and either get a fee grant from SUSI (or a loan) to cover the remaining €2,750 student contribution fee, which isn't covered by the free fees scheme.

That's no use tbh I will not be able to get a fee grant from SUSi as I cannot be classed as an independent application.

Cheers anyway though.

chinacup · 14-07-2014 1:13pm

Have you looked into back to education allowance at all?

Annasopra · 14-07-2014 1:15pm

OkeyDoke12 wrote: »

Doubt it the last I heard from them they were both working full time.

Ok but that doesnt mean you would be ineligible. When would they have started working?

OkeyDoke12 · 14-07-2014 1:18pm

chinacup wrote: »

Have you looked into back to education allowance at all?

I am eligible for BTEA but that's not the problem the problem is the fees. I would not be in a financial position to pay the fees.

Last I seen of them they were working and that was around 18 months ago and they were working 18 months prior to that.

Annasopra · 14-07-2014 1:29pm

OkeyDoke12 wrote: »

I am eligible for BTEA but that's not the problem the problem is the fees. I would not be in a financial position to pay the fees.

Last I seen of them they were working and that was around 18 months ago and they were working 18 months prior to that.

Could you speak to them?

Annasopra · 14-07-2014 1:32pm

Theres a few different options

1 Try and pay the fees in instalments
2 See if you can get help from a charity such as the vincent de paul
3 Look for a bank loan or credit union loan
4 Ask the students union if they can help or give any advice.

OkeyDoke12 · 14-07-2014 1:35pm

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Theres a few different options

1 Try and pay the fees in instalments
2 See if you can get help from a charity such as the vincent de paul
3 Look for a bank loan or credit union loan
4 Ask the students union if they can help or give any advice.

Ok thank you.

Is there no way at all I could be classed as an independant adult? Considering that's what I am without going down the irreconcilably estranged route?

Annasopra · 14-07-2014 1:42pm

OkeyDoke12 wrote: »

Ok thank you.

Is there no way at all I could be classed as an independant adult? Considering that's what I am without going down the irreconcilably estranged route?

Thats the only way and to do that you need letters from the gardai and the hse I think.

chinacup · 14-07-2014 1:51pm

OkeyDoke12 wrote: »

I am eligible for BTEA but that's not the problem the problem is the fees. I would not be in a financial position to pay the fees.

Last I seen of them they were working and that was around 18 months ago and they were working 18 months prior to that.

Oh ya forgot you have to still apply for the grant for the fee component.

BonkeyDonker · 14-07-2014 2:27pm

Also your status this year will be the one that applies for all future year if I'am not mistaken. So if you are deemed dependent this year, you will be until you finish your current course of study.

Shannore · 18-07-2014 12:05am

If you're unemployed, you can apply for a college place under the Springboard programme. It's completely free (no tuition fees or student contribution) and you can continue to get your unemployment payments.

carzony · 18-07-2014 12:37am

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

May have answered my question lol. can I apply for springboard now?

carzony · 18-07-2014 12:44am

Actually springboard is no good .. As far as I know you can't pick courses you want. I want to do a legal course this year but they won't pay my fees for that..

OkeyDoke12 · 18-07-2014 12:41pm

After a hectic few days I finally got into contact with my parents.

My mother is working full time while my father is working full time. What is the most they can earn under susi criteria?

Annasopra · 18-07-2014 5:09pm

Roughly 39,000 or 40,000

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/maintenance_grant_schemes_for_students_on_third_level_courses.html

OkeyDoke12 · 20-07-2014 6:15pm

Ok so for whatever reason my parents won't give me there pps number. SUSI application closes on 1st August and I have no idea what I am going to do. Time is ticking fast and without my parents PPS number I cannot apply. The whole system is a joke considering i've nothing got to do with my parents as i'm living with my girlfriend since Feb 2013 which I could prove. Looks like i'll have to sit on the dole for the next 2 years considering i'm not eligible for any sort of grant of SUSI and i'm in no position to pay fees as i'm unemployed.

Annasopra · 20-07-2014 8:59pm

OkeyDoke12 wrote: »

Ok so for whatever reason my parents won't give me there pps number. SUSI application closes on 1st August and I have no idea what I am going to do. Time is ticking fast and without my parents PPS number I cannot apply. The whole system is a joke considering i've nothing got to do with my parents as i'm living with my girlfriend since Feb 2013 which I could prove. Looks like i'll have to sit on the dole for the next 2 years considering i'm not eligible for any sort of grant of SUSI and i'm in no position to pay fees as i'm unemployed.

did you explain the situation to your parents?

OkeyDoke12 · 20-07-2014 9:23pm

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

did you explain the situation to your parents?

Yes and they won't give me there PPS number.

Really don't know what to do now. Seriously depressed!

Shannore · 21-07-2014 12:56am

I wouldn't dismiss Springboard without finding out what courses are available first. As far as I know it's focused on courses that lead to a realistic chance of getting a job in the current labour market. Look up the courses available on the Springboard website.

OkeyDoke12 · 21-07-2014 12:30pm

Shannore wrote: »

I wouldn't dismiss Springboard without finding out what courses are available first. As far as I know it's focused on courses that lead to a realistic chance of getting a job in the current labour market. Look up the courses available on the Springboard website.

I've checked the springboard website and all the courses listed for DKIT are only part time. I've my heart set on the course I've got accepted into which is year 2 business and administration however it doesn't look as though I'll be able to go ahead with my studies because of SUSI and there ridiculous rules. Because my GF is 23 she is classed as an independent candidate and therefore is eligible to the grant but because I'm 21 I'm classed as dependant on parents/ guardians. My patents won't give me there PPS number so therefore I'll have to sit at home on the dole and try and get a job which is really hard to come by.

Seriously disillusioned and depressed.

rawn · 21-07-2014 12:37pm

My OH is in a similar situation. He is 30 and hasn't lived at home for 12 years (he lives with me in my dads house) and cos he doesn't have a rent agreement or a utility bill in his name, they won't class him as an independent adult and told him to apply as dependent on his parents, which he isn't! But we were advised to see a solicitor and get them to write up an affidavit confirming that he is not dependent on his parents, and another one confirming that he is an independent adult at my dads address. I think each affidavit costs about €70. Hope this helps

OkeyDoke12 · 21-07-2014 12:39pm

rawn wrote: »

My OH is in a similar situation. He is 30 and hasn't lived at home for 12 years (he lives with me in my dads house) and cos he doesn't have a rent agreement or a utility bill in his name, they won't class him as an independent adult and told him to apply as dependent on his parents, which he isn't! But we were advised to see a solicitor and get them to write up an affidavit confirming that he is not dependent on his parents, and another one confirming that he is an independent adult at my dads address. I think each affidavit costs about €70. Hope this helps

Cheers.

Would this work if I got a solicitors letter proving I'm not dependant on my parents? I have utility bills etc to prove this?

rawn · 21-07-2014 12:43pm

I think so, yes. It seems you can prove you're living independently but it's just that you're below the age limit for what SUSI thinks an independent should be (totally ridiculous IMO). A solicitor should be able to help. Barring that, you could ring your local TD and ask them to help you out, or write to the Minister for Education. This is advice my OH was given over his situation. If you do send them an affidavit, send it by registered post. Apparently they're notorious for "losing" documentation.

Annasopra · 21-07-2014 5:32pm

OkeyDoke12 wrote: »

Cheers.

Would this work if I got a solicitors letter proving I'm not dependant on my parents? I have utility bills etc to prove this?

No - because you are under 23

The only option is if you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents.

OkeyDoke12 · 21-07-2014 7:13pm

Spent most of the day on the phone to SUSI and explained my situation and the woman on the phone said that because my parents won't give me there PPS number as long as I get a Solicitors letter explaining my situation and prove off utilites etc I should be ok.

Fingers crossed!!

Annasopra · 21-07-2014 7:18pm

OkeyDoke12 wrote: »

Spent most of the day on the phone to SUSI and explained my situation and the woman on the phone said that because my parents won't give me there PPS number as long as I get a Solicitors letter explaining my situation and prove off utilites etc I should be ok.

Fingers crossed!!

I'm not convinced.

rawn · 22-07-2014 12:43am

Sounds good to me. Can't be a situation they've never dealt with

Shannore · 22-07-2014 1:14am

If you're under 23 your parents are expected to support you in college, whatever your living arrangements, so you'll be assessed on their income unless you can prove that you're irreconcilably estranged from them.

If you're over 23, you need to be able to prove that you have been living independently of your parents for a time before starting college.

Annasopra · 22-07-2014 7:18am

rawn wrote: »

Sounds good to me. Can't be a situation they've never dealt with

Their rules are rigid though. I am not convinced this will work.

rawn · 22-07-2014 9:03am

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Their rules are rigid though. I am not convinced this will work.

A friend of mine fought them for a year to get the grant. They're stubborn, but it's worth a try.

queenie154 · 12-08-2014 10:20pm

Hi guys! My parents are on quite high income but are saying they will not support me in college! I only qualify for 50% tuition fees and 100% student contribution but am I entitled to free fees anyway since it is my first undergraduate course an I am an Irish citizen?

SUSI system is a joke.

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