Back to college - Rent allowance

The Saint

Hey folks,
I'm starting a masters in september after working for many years. I'm just wondering would I be entitled to rent allowance since I'll be a dirty student and if so how much would I be entitled to? I'm also hoping to get a maintainance grant.
Cheers.

snubbleste

No you won't be entitled to rent allowance.

billy the squid

He may be if he is living in private rented accomodation, or has to move to get to the college he wishes to attend.

The HSE put an upper limit on the amount of rent being paid for you to qualify. which varies depending on which part of the country you are living in.

The Saint

billy the squid wrote: »

He may be if he is living in private rented accomodation, or has to move to get to the college he wishes to attend.

The HSE put an upper limit on the amount of rent being paid for you to qualify. which varies depending on which part of the country you are living in.

Cheers for that Squid.
I'm from Limerick but have been living and working in Dublin for the past 10 years and living in private rented accomodation. I'm doing the masters in UL so I will be moving to attend. So maybe I will be entitled to something. Worth looking into it if nothing else.
Thanks again.

billy the squid

Hi Saint,

Don't take my post as gospel, however whilst attending college in Carlow many moons ago I was entitled to rent allowance, only thing the landlord was unregistered with revenue so I could not get it.

Your best bet is to give the HSE on Catherine Street a ring 061 316655 and they will have more useful info for you.

I am uncertain if you will get a grant for a masters degree though, you will have to check with the admissions office at UL or with Limerick City Council who handle the grant scheme for universities.

The Saint

Hey Squid,
I'm entitled to a grant alright although I'll have to apply to the Dublin City VEC as I was living up here last October 1st. I'm currently getting all the documentation I need and waiting for the application form to be sent out. They're not sending them out until august. I'd imagine I'd get a place that accepted rent allowance if I was entitled to it.

billy the squid wrote: »

Hi Saint,

Don't take my post as gospel, however whilst attending college in Carlow many moons ago I was entitled to rent allowance, only thing the landlord was unregistered with revenue so I could not get it.

Your best bet is to give the HSE on Catherine Street a ring 061 316655 and they will have more useful info for you.

I am uncertain if you will get a grant for a masters degree though, you will have to check with the admissions office at UL or with Limerick City Council who handle the grant scheme for universities.

billy the squid

I'm entitled to a grant alright although I'll have to apply to the Dublin City VEC as I was living up here last October 1st. I'm currently getting all the documentation I need and waiting for the application form to be sent out. They're not sending them out until august. I'd imagine I'd get a place that accepted rent allowance if I was entitled to it.

Also if you have been out of work for a year you may be entitled to return to education allowance, it is the same as the dole, but you can get a 400 lump sum at the start of the academic year, and you won't be hounded to go look for work by the social welfare office.

you will have to sign on as normal though during the summer months.

The Saint

billy the squid wrote: »

Also if you have been out of work for a year you may be entitled to return to education allowance, it is the same as the dole, but you can get a 400 lump sum at the start of the academic year, and you won't be hounded to go look for work by the social welfare office.

you will have to sign on as normal though during the summer months.

Won't be able to do that unfortunately. I've been working constantly for the last 10 years and will be working up until the end of august just before I start college.

snubbleste

You won’t qualify for Rent Supplement if you:
Are attending full-time education. However, if you are getting a Back to Education Allowance or participating in the Back to Education Programme you may be entitled to the Supplement.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/supplementary-welfare-schemes/rent_supplement/?searchterm=rent%20supplement

Get back to us in September and let us know how you got on!

The Saint

Bugger. Looks like it'll be handjobs in the People's Park to help pay rent. I thought there would be some sort of assistance for students. Oh well.

snubbleste

The Saint wrote: »

I thought there would be some sort of assistance for students. Oh well.

There is, it's called the "maintenance" grant!
There are also scholarships out there for those taking on postgraduate courses, but there is stiff competition for them. Take a look at http://boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=667 for more info on grants and such or the mature students forum.

The Saint

Yeah, I'm going to apply for the maintainance grant alright. Just getting the documentation together now. I meant to say some sort of rent assistance.

snubbleste wrote: »

There is, it's called the "maintenance" grant!
There are also scholarships out there for those taking on postgraduate courses, but there is stiff competition for them. Take a look at http://boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=667 for more info on grants and such or the mature students forum.