[fire_man]

Hi,Im am currently working but i would like to go back to college in sep to do a masters.Would i qualify for a grant?thanks

[mango salsa]

Originally Posted by fire_man

Hi,Im am currently working but i would like to go back to college in sep to do a masters.Would i qualify for a grant?thanks

There are no maintenance grants for masters anymore. You can get a grant towards fees only. The grant would be assessed on your income at october 2011.

2011 income limits are here but these will probably change

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en...l_courses.html

[fire_man]

Thanks ,would I be entitled to dole then while doing masters?

[Fatboydim]

No. I don't think you would as you are currently working. With BTEA even if you are unemployed there are very few awards for Postgraduate. The only reason I know this however is because I have been researching. You may get a more definitive answer.

[PixieDixie]

You can apply for grant for pg course but grant only covers fees. they will take into account your change of circumstance i.e. that you will have left your job when they assess your application. look at studentfinance.ie or facebook.com/susisupport
with regards to your dole, you wouldn't get that because you won't be available for work because you are in fulltime education and I think to qualify for BTEA yo have to be unemployed for the previous 9 months prior to attending college.
hope this helps.

[cee_jay]

Originally Posted by PixieDixie

I think to qualify for BTEA yo have to be unemployed for the previous 9 months prior to attending college.
hope this helps.

Masters courses aren't covered under BTEA anyway.

the postgraduate option of the Back To Education Allowance is payable only to persons who wish to pursue a postgraduate course of study that leads to a Higher Diploma (H.Dip.) qualification in any discipline or to persons in pursuit of a Professional Diploma in Education hitherto known as a Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary & Secondary Teaching) [NVQ Level 8].

Other types of postgraduate qualifications are not recognised for BTEA purposes. e.g. Masters, MA, MSc, M.Phil etc. However, there is an exception to the eligibility rule for Masters based on ‘life experience’ whereby a person is admitted to a Masters programme without a primary degree. The person needs confirmation from the college detailing the basis of their offer of a college place and confirming that it excludes the requirement to hold a primary degree. A small number of cases have arisen where a college has granted an exemption from the requirement to hold a primary degree and has admitted a person to a Master’s course on the basis of relevant life experience. In the context of the ongoing review of the operation of the scheme, it was decided to extend entitlement to back to education allowance in these instances on an exceptional basis. Under no circumstances will BTEA be awarded to a person who already holds a postgraduate qualification

[mango salsa]

Originally Posted by cee_jay

Masters courses aren't covered under BTEA anyway.

Sometimes they are

However, there is an exception to the eligibility rule for Masters based on ‘life experience’ whereby a person is admitted to a Masters programme without a primary degree. The person needs confirmation from the college detailing the basis of their offer of a college place and confirming that it excludes the requirement to hold a primary degree. A small number of cases have arisen where a college has granted an exemption from the requirement to hold a primary degree and has admitted a person to a Master’s course on the basis of relevant life experience. In the context of the ongoing review of the operation of the scheme, it was decided to extend entitlement to back to education allowance in these instances on an exceptional basis. Under no circumstances will BTEA be awarded to a person who already holds a postgraduate qualification

http://www.welfare.ie/en/operational...s/bte_all.aspx