Going back to college..

strong1

Sorry if this is the wrong place.. feel free to move...

So I've finally decided to go back to do a post grad diploma as a mature student, i've already got a degree and being working the last 3 years in an ok paying job. my question is does anyone know if I will get a grant either in part or in full. I got a grant for my degree course.

I ran the local co co and they were must unhelpful, ie ring back in July, they couldnt even give me an idea if I might be eligible.. does anyone else have any info on this or being in similar situation.

cheers

skywalker

Are you going back full or part time? If its part time then afaik you get nothing grant-wise. At least thats what I found when I asked last year in Dublin council.

If its full time & you got the grant for your degree then you should in theory qualify for the same for the postgrad. I think 3 years is the cutoff point though, where after that you have to reapply to be assessed. Again only going on my own experiences, any other questions just ask.

strong1

thanks for the info skywalker,

I'm going back fulltime, parttime would take too long for me personally. Its a year long course. I have a some savings, so either way I'm going to go back, but even getting my fees paid would be a massive help!

Just realised I graduated in 02 so thats 4 yrs, but I took a yr out travelling so have only been working for under 3 yrs. fingers crossed I'll get it.

Lambsbread

If you go to your local council's website, you can find a lot of info.

South Dublin Co Council wrote:

When will the scheme be available and when is the closing date?
The Scheme will be available early to mid July. Closing date for receipt of first time applications normally mid August.


Who can avail of the Scheme?
The Scheme applies to the following types of students:
(a) Candidate other than a mature student i.e. those students who have completed the Leaving Certificate and under 23 years of age.

(b) Mature Candidate – must be over 23 years on the 1st of January of year of entry to their course.

- Independent Mature Candidate – Over 23 years and not living at home on the 1st October of the previous year entry.

- Mature Candidate Dependent on Parents – Over 23 years and residing with their Parents – must then by assessed under their parents income.



Do you accept late applications?
Yes.


What documentation must be submitted with a first time applicant?

Original Birth Certificate
Offer of Place in College (if available)
if PAYE income - P60, P21.
if self-employed – Notice of Assessment, Accounts
if Social Welfare – Social Welfare Statement
Interest on Deposit – Interest Certificates
- - Proof of Independent residence from 1st October 2002 (in the case of Independent Mature candidate



Can Application forms be submitted without the course details?
Yes – because those students who are taking the Leaving Certificate in June 2003 – will not have their course acceptance until August.


What Colleges and Courses do we cover?
Courses which the Scheme covers are


undergraduate Degrees
Postgraduate
H/Dip in Education/H/Dip in Nursing.
Nursing Degree – 4 years – is covered from 2002/03 academic year.

Please see attached list of Colleges which are approved by the Higher Education Grants Scheme (hyperlink to be made to Scheme when available)

The grant is only tenable for the duration of one degree course (3 to 4 years in duration) and one Post-Graduate Course.

(No part-time courses are covered by the Higher Education Grants Scheme)

(No Post Graduate Courses in the UK are covered by the Higher Education Grants Scheme).



Do we cover courses in the other E.U. Member States?
Yes – only undergraduate courses, mainly in the UK. Course details must be accompanied by a course code – course codes are set out in the UCAS Book.


How is the application assessed & what documents are to be submitted with the application?
The application is income means tested. The reckonable income limits are set by the Department of Education and are in the Scheme.


What are the types of grants available?
The grant available is a Maintenance and Fees grant. It is divided into non-adjacent rate and adjacent rate.
(a) Non-adjacent rate i.e. If the family home is more than 15 miles from the College the Candidate is attending.

All mature students are entitled to the non-adjacent rate of grant since 1999.

(b) Adjacent rate i.e. If the family home is less than 15 miles from the College the Candidate is attending.

The Fees payable at present are Registration Fees only in the case of First time applicants attending degree courses i.e. €670.00 for 2002.

The Fees payable in the case of Post Graduate students is a maximum fee limit of €4412 for 2002.

(Fees are not covered by the Higher Education Grants Scheme for the UK Colleges)



How is the maintenance grant payable?
The grant is payable in three (3) instalments. The Paying orders are made payable in the Student’s name and forwarded to the Colleges for collection.
1st Maintenance – paid in Oct/Nov

2nd Maintenance – paid in January

3rd Maintenance – paid in April (normally after Easter)



When and how do we notify students if their application is successful or unsucessful?
All application forms are assessed individually.


If an application is successful an official Award Letter is sent to the students awarding them the grant also attached is a Registration Form which is signed by the Student and the College and returned to Corporate Services Department for payment to be made.

If an application is unsuccessful students are also notified by official letter.



Do we carry out a review of income on all previous year’s applications?
No. Mainly the applicants on the 2nd year of their grant or applicants who have had a change in circumstances.
Or if the student has taken a break in studies or has repeated the same year of study.



What documents are to be submitted with a review of income?

The same documents as with first time applications plus Exam Results or in the case of a postgraduate research student an official letter from their college/university confirming their progression onto the next year of their research .

An official letter is forwarded with the review of income form which details the relevant documents required – these include:

if PAYE income - P60, P21.
if self-employed – Notice of Assessment, Accounts
if Social Welfare – Social Welfare Statement
Interest on Deposit – Interest Certificates



Do we pay a grant for a repeat year?
No. except in certain cases e.g. If the repeat year is due to medical reasons we will pay but a Doctors Certificate must be submitted with the application.


How are all other applications renewed for the following academic year?
On the basis of the Exam Results which are forwarded from the Colleges in August/ September or directly by the student themselves.


What is an ERASMUS Year?
This is where the Student usually attends a college abroad for a year. This is a requirement of their course and is covered under the grant scheme. The Student must submit a letter from the college stating they will be on their erasmus year. The higher rate of maintenance is payable for this year.


Does the Higher Education Grant scheme cover field trips?
Yes provided that the field trip is a compulsory part of the course which the student in undertaking. All requests for field trip funding must be accompanied by a letter from the college which the student is attending

skywalker

Id say you might have luck with them paying your fees even if they dont give you a grant on top. All they can say is no anyway. Good luck with it.

strong1

Cheers for the info lambsbread, they wouldnt even tell ma that much on the phone, guess I got the wrong person on the wrong day.

Will let ye know how I get on anyways - incase others need the info.