Check your entitlements! Look here for Grants/Fees/Tax Relief/BTEA/Assistance Funds

Hey, I decided to throw a small bit of information together for some people who might be looking for information on grants/fees/what-have-you. If there's anything not covered sure feel free to start a new thread!

1. Grants
2. Fees, 'Free Fees', & Second Chance Students
3. Tax Relief on Fees
4. Back to Education Allowance
5. Student Assistance Fund
6. Funds for Students with Disabilities

Some information on the Maintenance Grant for 2008/9.

***

Money, Money, Money

College is expensive. With transportation, food, stationary, books, accommodation and entertainment costs, you could find that you will need a part-time job to keep you going through college. However, before you go to college you should find out whether you are entitled to any sort of financial assistance going to college - this may be up to €6,600+ a year. Money is often an issue with surviving in college, so do check it out before you get there.

If you are entitled to get a grant, you should definitely apply for one. A large proportion of students have to work in College to support themselves (rent, food, etc.), which can cause their academic work to suffer as a direct result. Obtaining the grant would mean that the pressure of finances would be lessened. It would also help you deal with expenses which arise from your course, such as books, laboratory equipment, photocopying, stationary etc.

Getting Started

So where do you look? The first place you should look is the Higher Education Authority's website called StudentFinance.ie. Once there, you'll find out about the residency requirements, the different categories, where to get your tax forms etc.

Another page for information on the grant scheme is on citizensinformation.ie. Here, you'll find several links - some specifically for mature students, some more general for all students.

You should also check out your local Council or VEC's website, as they might have information relevant to your location. A list of all VECs are here while all Councils are here.

Income Limits

These have yet to be released for 2008/9 but they will be available on citizensinformation.ie and StudentFinance.ie. Basically, you will need to have earned under these limits to qualify for a 'normal' maintenance grant. The limit changes as per how many children you have, how many are in full-time education etc. Also, depending on what category you fit into, you could be assessed on your own income (as well as your spouse's, if applicable) or your own income AND your parents'/guardians' income (and again, your spouse's, if applicable).

Am I an independent student?

There are, at present, 3 categories of students who can apply for a grant. The first one is a ‘Mature Independent’ student who was over 23 years of age on the 1st of January in the year he/she entered college, is deemed by the Council/VEC to be independent of his or her guardians, and thus only counts his or her income towards the income limit (and their spouse, if applicable).

The second one is a ‘Mature Dependent’ student who was over 23 years of age on the 1st of January in the year he/she entered college and is considered to still be dependent on his or her guardians in some way, usually by living with them. The guardians’ income, the student’s income and her or her spouse’s income (if applicable) are counted.

The final one is the ‘Other’ student, who is usually under 23, and again his or her guardians’ income, the student’s income and her or her spouse’s income (if applicable) are counted.

There are plans for a fourth category to be created for the 2009/10 academic year which is for students who are ‘Independent non-mature’, so that would cover students who are under 23 years old and are independent from their parents. However, the detail of this category has yet to be seen.

Mature Students

Mature Students are defined as being 23 or over on the 1st of January of the year they are entering college. The automatically are eligible for the 'non-adjacent' rate for the grant for both Mature Independent candidates and Mature Dependent candidates (see rate of grant in some of the above links).

Be sure to check out the Mature & Non-Traditional Students Forum while you're here on boards.ie.

Postgraduates

If you are doing a postgraduate course and were ineligible for a grant previously, check whether you will be eligible on your own income (or otherwise) for a grant. Being eligible for a grant also means that your fees are paid for you up to €6,110 for 2007/8 (2008/9 isn't released yet).

If you are receiving a scholarship or a grant for research already you will be eligible for a grant as long as the scholarship is under €16,000 (for 2007/8 – may change for 2008/9). However, as is the same with undergraduates, you can only get a third level grant (as opposed to a research grant) if you are pursuing a full-time course. If you are doing it part-time you may be eligible for tax-relief on the fees.

Don't forget that there's a dedicated Postgraduate Forum on boards.ie in case you've any postgrad-specific queries (funding related or not!) that people might be able to help with.

Am I eligible for the Back to Education Allowance and the Maintenance Grant?

You can claim both of these at one time, so it is worth checking out your eligibility.

Application Forms

There is a detailed application form which you are required to fill out. You can pick up this form by contacting your local authority / Vocational Education Committee. Do remember that the form can take some time to complete, as you have to attach several documents with it which can take several weeks to obtain.

They also aren't generally available online. However, for your information there are SAMPLE versions available online. Check out them here.

How much will the grant be this year?

This depends on your circumstances - when viewing the income thresholds, you will see that there are several different levels (100% grant, 75% grant etc.). There is also the Special Rates of the Maintenance Grant, also known as the Top-Up grant. All of this is explained on StudentFinance.ie.

County Councils or VECs?

There is a plan for 2009/10 onwards for all VECs to solely run the grant scheme in each area, and so Councils will no longer play any part in the administration of the grant scheme. For the 2008/9 academic year both Councils and VECs will accept application forms. Check with the Councils/VECs for more information about this, and in particular before you submit the form.

City/County Council contact details are available here, while the Vocational Education Committee's contact details are available here.

Getting Organised Early

The earlier you get the application form and start getting all you P45s, birth certs, and every other form you need to get together, the less headache you will have. Remember, it can take a few weeks to get all the documents you need together!

When do I need to apply by?

The deadline for applying in 2008 is the 29th of August. Depending on the authority/VEC, some applications may be accepted after this date.

Some Other Questions

Q: I'm confused by all these forms! What should I do?

A: If you are unsure about some of the terms used when applying for a grant, you should contact your local authority/VEC as soon as you can who should be able to give you adequate advise. See above links for Council/VEC contact details.


Q: When will I receive my grant cheque?

A: You should first of all be told whether or not you are eligible to receive a grant by your local authority/VEC.

You should receive three cheques in equal amounts in total throughout the year..


Q: I heard that I have to pay my registration fee even though I'm being told that I'm entitled to a grant. What should I do?

A: You should contact the relevant office in your college (Fees Office, Grants Office, etc.) and query whether you will have to pay the registration fee up-front. You may then have to pay the fee yourself, and then receive a refund later on.


Q: What if I have siblings attending college?

A: If you have siblings, then they too should be entitled to a grant. However, it depends on what 'student category' you fit into.


Q: I'm going to another country in the EU, can I still obtain the grant?

A: If this is the case, and you still satisfy the criteria laid down by the government, then you should still be eligible to obtain the grant. There is a form called 'SA1' which you will need to fill out - ask your local authority/VEC for more information about this.


Q: I was away studying in a different country for the period July - Christmas last year, therefore I wasn't a resident in Ireland at that time. Will this effect my grant application?

A: Unfortunately, it might. Enquire with your local authority/VEC immediately.


Q: I have a question which hasn't been answered, who should I contact?

A: Your local authority/VEC should be able to deal with any and all of your queries. Your college grant/fees/student records office should also be able to help you. Also, Students' Unions are a good source of contact about grants.



Student Support Unit

The Department of Education & Science have a Student Support Unit, which can be helpful when explaining some of the detail about grants. Their contact details are:

The Student Support Unit,
Department of Education and Science,
Portlaoise Road,
Tullamore,
Co. Offaly
Tel: (0506) 21363 or (01) 8734700
E-mail: StudentSupportUnit-Tullamore@education.gov.ie

Some information on Fees for college courses in 2008/9:

***

General Information

Most students in Ireland or are from EU countries will be eligible for 'free fees'. However, at present if you are pursuing a part-time course you are not eligible for these fees to be paid for you, and thus you will have to pay them yourself (unless you happen to know someone/an employer to pay them for you). You may be eligible - or your spouse/parents/guardians may be eligible for tax relief on the cost of education fees, and thus you should contact Revenue.ie to query this.

Am I eligible?

If you are in doubt about your eligibility with the 'free fees' scheme, you should contact the Department of Education.

What about the 'Second Change Students' Scheme?

You are eligible for this if you dropped out of college (and did not complete it) over 5 years ago. You should talk to the Department of Education about your eligibility in this. You would not be eligible for this if you are returning to college to gain a qualificaton at the same level that you have now (so you can't go back and get another degree paid for by the state).

From here:

Students who, having attended but not completed approved courses, are returning following a break of at least five years in order to pursue approved courses at the same level in the 2008-2009 academic year are deemed eligible for free fees.

With the exception of second chance students, tuition fees are not paid by the State in respect of students who are repeating a year of study, having failed their end of year exams or as a result of changing courses. The repeat fees are payable by the student. This exclusion may be waived, at the discretion of the college, where a student has to repeat a year due to certified serious illness. In such cases, the college will request documentary evidence that the student’s failure was as a direct result of his/her illness.

And if I dropped out of college/missed a year due to sickness?

See the above quote for more information.

What will the cost be if I dropped out of first year in Course A and will be reapplying to Course B this year?

You will have to pay the costs of Course B for this year (assuming you completed one year of Course A) and then your 'free fees' will kick in for second year. If you dropped out halfway through first year in Course A, you will only have to pay half the cost of Course B, and then the fees will be paid for the remaining 2.5 or 3.5 or 4.5 years (depending on the length of the course).

If I get a grant for my postgrad are my fees paid?

Yes, they are indeed, up to a limit of €6,110 per annum (for 2007/8).

Is there anywhere else with more information on this?

The Department of Education will have the information you need on this, but your college admissions office should also be able to advise you on this.

Also, check out CitizensInformation.ie.

Some information on Tax Relief on fees for 2008/9:

***

General Information

Essentially, you and maybe your spouse/parents/guardians may eligible for tax relief on education fees. This will be approximately 20% of the cost of the course. To apply for it you need to contact Revenue and fill out a form, and just send it away.

For more information, check the links below or contact Revenue.

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9492/tax-relief-on-tuition-fees-for-full-time-and-part-time-courses/index.html
http://citizensinformation.ie/categories/education/third-level-education/fees-and-supports-for-third-level-education/tax_relief_third_level_fees
http://www.revenue.ie/leaflets/it31.pdf

Some information on the Back to Education Allowance for 2008/9:

***

Who can apply for this?

The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is for a wide range of people who might want to return to education, so you can qualify in different ways, depending on your age and personal situation.

There are different allowances which depend on your age that you would have to have been receiving for different lengths of time prior to applying. For example, one way to qualify for BTEA is if you have claimed Disability Benefit for three years or more. Another way would be if you are aged at least 21, or at least 24 if you want to do postgraduate study, and have been receiving one of a list of allowances for 6 months if you wish to go on to Second Level, or 12 months if you wish to go on to Third Level.

Where do I apply?

Department of Social & Family Affairs

When do I apply?

You should apply once you have been accepted onto a course of study.

How do I apply?

You must fill out the 'BTE1' form, which you can receive on the website of the Department of Social & Family Affairs below .

How much can I receive?

The Back to Education Allowance is paid at a standard personal rate that assesses your current social welfare entitlements so each individual is entitled to varying rates depending on his/her circumstances.

Can I get both a grant and the BTEA?

Yes.

Where can I find more information?

See below for additional information.

http://www.welfare.ie/publications/sw70.html
http://www.education.ie/robots/view.jsp?pcategory=10900&language=EN&ecategory=19304&link=link001&doc=16898
http://citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/back-to-education/back-to-education-programme/
http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7237/back-to-education-allowance/index.html

Some information on the Student Assistance Fund for 2008/9:

***

Who can apply for this?

The objective of the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is to assist students in a sensitive and compassionate manner who might otherwise, because of financial reasons suffer severe hardship or be unable to continue their third-level studies. Any students experiencing particular or unexpected hardship during their course of study can apply for this.

Where do I apply?


You apply to your local Higher Education Institution to either the Access Office or Student Services Office within your institution. Contact these for more information about what's required within the institution. Alternatively, your Students' Union should have information on this fund.

When do I apply?


Anytime during the Academic Term [Some Institutions operate a closing date policy].

How much will I receive?


The SAF is given to the institutions on a per-capita basis to each publicly funded higher education institution, which means that your institution will receive a limited amount of funding depending on how many students there are. The amount you receive will depend entirely on your circumstances, and the SAF is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

Where should I find out more information?


There is some limited information available below, however, most of the information you will require will be available from your local Access Office/Student Services Office/Students' Union in your institution.

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7235/student-assistance-fund/index.html
http://www.education.ie/robots/view.jsp?pcategory=10900&language=EN&ecategory=19277&link=link001&doc=16889

Some information on Funds for Students with Disabilites for 2008/9:

***

What's under this section?

Additional Supports & Services for students with disabilities

Who can apply for this?

Individuals who have a certified disability.

Where do I apply?

Colleges will have to make individual applications for funding for you to the National Office for Equity of Access. You should apply to the Access Office, Student Services Office or Disability Office within your institution, depending on who has responsibility for disability.

How much will I receive?

Funding is allocated to indentified individual students on a case by case basis.

Where can I find out more information?

The Association of Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD) have a large amount of information on their website, with a Frequently Asked Questions section here: http://www.aheadweb.org/home/pages/category/faq.

You should also contact the relevant Disability Offices in your institution/the institution you're applying to. Finally, see some information on some websites below.

http://citizensinformation.ie/categories/education/third-level-education/applying-to-college/third_level_education_for_students_with_disabilities/
http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7575/fund-for-students-with-disabilities/index.html

Stabshauptmann

Myth wrote: »

Some information on Tax Relief on fees for 2008/9:

***

General Information

Essentially, you and maybe your spouse/parents/guardians may eligible for tax relief on education fees. This will be approximately 20% of the cost of the course. To apply for it you need to contact Revenue and fill out a form, and just send it away.

For more information, check the links below or contact Revenue.

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9492/tax-relief-on-tuition-fees-for-full-time-and-part-time-courses/index.html
http://citizensinformation.ie/categories/education/third-level-education/fees-and-supports-for-third-level-education/tax_relief_third_level_fees
http://www.revenue.ie/leaflets/it31.pdf

bottom 2 links no longer work

grandlike

Hope somebody can help. I was wondering if I can avail of any sort of grant... I have done 2 years of my course, however I failed the last semester so I'll have to repeat. I cant afford to repeat a whole semester myself as the reason I left originally was money problems. Is there anywhere I can go for financial assistance?

Schoolteacher

Hi,

My daughter will be doing a one year PLC course in September. She received her grant application form last week, but ...

She has already received and used up her first year Higher Education Grant. She will not be entering second year in University. Instead, she will be starting from scratch on a PLC course.

Is she entitled to a PLC grant for first year (actually the only year), although she has used up her first year maintenance grant/allowance on another scheme (the Higher Education one)?

Thanks.

truecrippler

If I'm studying in the UK and have a low income household, could I still get the Maintenance grant and the Special one too? What are the cut off's?

Great info btw, thanks .

Hatthehat

Bump for schoolteacher I want to know this too.

starman08

today i was told i am getting a VEC grant of "Full Fee's only".. can somebody explain what taht means

haysie

starman08 wrote: »

today i was told i am getting a VEC grant of "Full Fee's only".. can somebody explain what taht means

means they will pay for your registration fees only.. you will not recieve any other form of grant..

krystalkiernan

hi i completed a childcare course level 5 in june just gone it was a two year course i receive the grant for my second year i am now hoping to do a computer course it is also at level 5 will i be able to get the grant to do this course or will i have to do a course level 6 to receive the grant. i was also thinking of doing a vtos course will i get the grant with this please help i am really stressed out thanks

haysie

krystalkiernan wrote: »

hi i completed a childcare course level 5 in june just gone it was a two year course i receive the grant for my second year i am now hoping to do a computer course it is also at level 5 will i be able to get the grant to do this course or will i have to do a course level 6 to receive the grant. i was also thinking of doing a vtos course will i get the grant with this please help i am really stressed out thanks

Hi,

am im nearly certain that you cant recieve a grant twice for the same level so no i dont think you will recieve a grant for the level 5, although you would for the level six,. i dont no much about vtos but im sure you'd have to recieve some kind of income from them! ring up your local council or vec and they'l tell you everything you need to no!

NeonAddict

Dónal wrote: »

Hey, I decided to throw a small bit of information together for some people who might be looking for information on grants/fees/what-have-you. If there's anything not covered sure feel free to start a new thread!

1. Grants
2. Fees, 'Free Fees', & Second Chance Students
3. Tax Relief on Fees
4. Back to Education Allowance
5. Student Assistance Fund
6. Funds for Students with Disabilities

thanx donal you really helped

nazar

Hi,

I'm just trying to work out how much your talking about receiving from grants.

I have never done a degree so would be hopeful starting a degree in BEd September 2010. I am married and have a mortgage, no children. From reading about grants to date, i'm presuming i will be entitled to pay no fees as it is the first degree I have ever done, but also I would be looking at applying for the following 1. Maintenance Grant 2. Student Assistance 3. Millenium Partnership Fund.

Is there any others I could apply for and would any or all of these grants work out to be able to pay all or part of my side of the mortgage and living expenses while in college aswell ?

Also, if I was to have a child during college, would I be entitleld to more support ?

Any info would be appreciated, as my concern is that I spend all year working towards doing a degree to get a place and not be able to afford to support myself through this! And I thought going back to college was going to be easy


Aghhh !! Thanks in advance for any advice

Léan

Hi,
don't know if this is the right place to ask, just looking for some advice.

I'm in the 2nd year of my degree in UCC, my sister is hopefully starting in UCC next year too.
My mother has recently been made unemployed and my father is working out in Saudi Arabia.

Are we entitled to any grants?

IM0

Léan wrote: »

My mother has recently been made unemployed and my father is working out in Saudi Arabia.

Are we entitled to any grants?

no way to know it will depend on your fathers income really. look up the levels of grant entitlement on here

GillieBean

I am thinking of returning to uni in September to do a H.Dip for one year. Thing is I already have a degree & H.Dip both of which I received maintenance grants for. However this was 12 years ago and from a different local authority to the one I have lived in for the last 7 years. I have been working and paying tax & local authority charges for the last 12 years in the greater Dublin area.

Does anyone know if I am eligible for a maintenance grant? I'm not greedy but would like to think I paid my taxes for something for me! I have looked at the studentfinance.ie website but it does not provide an answer.

Thanks in advance

nhalley

hey lads, im kinda in the same situation! attendance was really bad, so i have to repeat my first year again. was just wondering would i still recieve my grant if i did the same course next year? is it the same if i chose to do a diff course or would i get the grant in that situation? cant really find any info on sites, be real help if someone could tell me! thanks a mill.

Blushingblue

I was just wondering are both parents income used when applying for a grant even if they are separated and one parent has no financial involvement in the other parents household?

Daeltaja

Blushingblue wrote: »

I was just wondering are both parents income used when applying for a grant even if they are separated and one parent has no financial involvement in the other parents household?

Would also like to know this..

However my father moved away and is renting a house on his income, paying most of the bills etc, but is also still paying all bills and mortgage on this house at the same time, as my mother doesn't work at all. Not sure what he earns but he is really struggling to pay for everything..

Im returning to college soon and have never had any government assistance. (Did a cert and diploma in a PLC college over 5 years ago).

Whats my chances? And how much le-way is there if parents are separated and only one is earning?

Cheers in advance.

LYDIABANK

i know this thread is a little old but im also looking for advice with my situation, 2 years ago i did 1st year of architectural technology, it was a level 7 course, i decided the course was not for me and i deferred 2nd year and took a year out and did a plc to pass the time, now i have applied to do a level 8 in Carlow.I got the grant for 1st year. I know when you move up levels there is a chance of getting it again but as i have not completed the whole degree im confused. ive looked on the grants website and it dosnt say much about my situation. Im raging with myself that im starting over now as i never thought of the grant!!

ordinary_girl

truecrippler wrote: »

If I'm studying in the UK and have a low income household, could I still get the Maintenance grant and the Special one too? What are the cut off's?

Great info btw, thanks .

Wondering the same thing, anyone have any info about this?

esprimo

hi guys was just wondering why there isnt a such thing as a "Independent non-mature" candidate to recieve a grant? personally i think its ridiculous. according to this scheme you have to be 23 years old to be classified as independant!! so basically if your under 23 which i am you seemingly have to be dependant on your parents!! please say there are other people like me out there who find this insane. there should be many many students out there who have been totally independant since they were 18 or so or at least by the time you are 21.....??

seanirl21

hi im going into my second year in maynooth and want to apply for the grant . as i have moved out into a house with my friends and are funding collage myself and am not dependent on my parents in anyway but i am under 23 so am i entitled to antthing . i can prove i have a job and my own home . plz any help or clarity appreciated

Annasopra

seanirl21 wrote: »

hi im going into my second year in maynooth and want to apply for the grant . as i have moved out into a house with my friends and are funding collage myself and am not dependent on my parents in anyway but i am under 23 so am i entitled to antthing . i can prove i have a job and my own home . plz any help or clarity appreciated

You are under 23 therefore technically you are dependent on your parents and you would have to apply for a grant based on their earnings

see www.studentfinance.ie

flightlessbird

seanirl21 wrote: »

hi im going into my second year in maynooth and want to apply for the grant . as i have moved out into a house with my friends and are funding collage myself and am not dependent on my parents in anyway but i am under 23 so am i entitled to antthing . i can prove i have a job and my own home . plz any help or clarity appreciated

I'm in a kind similar situation..
I contacted the welfare officer in NUIM about this, and she said that if your parents aren't willing to sign the forms (which you should try get them to, to save yourself hassle), then your best bet is to try and get emancipated from them. She told me to contact Bernardos about this, but when I did, they were very unhelpful. Also, you'd be able to apply for Students Assistance Fund and Student Aid if your situation is tough. Hope that helps.

rugbyman

just popped in here for some advice. very helpful . Thanks to Donal and others.

Rugbyman

robert kirwan

I am currently working full time (for now) and have applied for a part time course in DIT hopefully starting in September. Am i eligable for a grant for the Tuition fees? Also if I lose my job can i sit this course in full-time?? Any help would be really appreciated.

Annasopra

robert kirwan wrote: »

I am currently working full time (for now) and have applied for a part time course in DIT hopefully starting in September. Am i eligable for a grant for the Tuition fees? Also if I lose my job can i sit this course in full-time?? Any help would be really appreciated.

Grants are ONLY for full time courses - You can get a 20% refund of the tuition fees from the revenue commissioners

VampiricPadraig

Can someone clear something up for me.

I haven't been out of education (I went from 2nd level to 3rd level) and I have been on the dole since June. I applied for the BTEA and its been rejected because I have not been out of education for 2 years. Now they are telling me that I have to sign off the dole before I go back.

What income do I get now when I go back to college??!!

Annasopra

VampiricPadraig wrote: »

What income do I get now when I go back to college??!!

have you applied for the maintenance grant?

VampiricPadraig

Johnnymcg wrote: »

have you applied for the maintenance grant?

I have it filled out, gonna bring it in tomorrow!

Annasopra

Looks like that could be your only income to me

confuseddotcom

But they're not giving out the Maintenance anymore?


Oh sorry! Think Poster was in College last year so still should be able get Maintenance in 09, if I'm reading that right Vampiric ....?

angel87

hi, I have problem maybe somebody will advice me.
so I ve moved from POland to Ireland in 2006.. now I m on jobseekers allowance.. and on 15 september I m starting Nursing course. I was trying to get grants.. I got answer that I m not mature student cos I wasnt 23 years old in january 2010 . My birthday is in may so in january i was still 22.. this is stupid.. so they told me to change from mature student to depend on parents and my parent must to sign that... sorry but from 2006 i dont depend on my parents. so what should i do . my parents live in poland.. and i live here with my boyfriend and my son.

GrumPy

Hi guys, just got repeat results from DIT and looks like I have to carry a module. Does anyone know if I am still entitled to my grant? Will contact Meath VEC tomorrow morning anyway.
Also, anyone from DIT know the cost of carrying a subject?


Thanks

McCabeC

Hey people I was wondering would anyone know if I can get funding as I did a undergrad degree in the North for three years and got maintenance grant but I am now doing another undergraduate degree but its for Speech and Language therapy in the England, I can't get funding from the VEC as I already did an undergrad and as I have not been a resident in the UK for 3 years or more I cannot get funding there either. If anyone can help it would be really appreciated

davey122

I am a single 26 year old and have just returned to college to complete year 4, the final year of my Business Degree after being made redundant in May. I had worked for the company for 3 years. I am confused as to what funding etc is available to me as I am told I will no longer receive jobseakers allowance and so am going to be without any source of income. I have applied for the Maintanence Grant and am waiting to hear back from them
I have since been told by a friend that I should have applied for the Back to Education Allowance as this will be the same as receiving the Jobseakers allowance, which is more than the Maintanence Grant. Also, is there any other financial support available to me? I would be very greatful if someone could shed some light on this for me please...

johnbannon

Hi

My son started a course in September 2010 4year level 8. He had his grant application refused because he had started a course in 2005 and completed 1st year but dropped out halfway through 2nd year. He is over 23 and applied as a mature student. I am going to have to get a loan and pay for him.

I have a couple of questions:

1. Can I get tax relief if I am paying his accommodation and living
expenses.
2. Will he get the grant next year.

Please help and Thanks for any advice.

Annasopra

johnbannon wrote: »

Hi

My son started a course in September 2010 4year level 8. He had his grant application refused because he had started a course in 2005 and completed 1st year but dropped out halfway through 2nd year. He is over 23 and applied as a mature student. I am going to have to get a loan and pay for him.

I have a couple of questions:

1. Can I get tax relief if I am paying his accommodation and living
expenses.
2. Will he get the grant next year.

Please help and Thanks for any advice.

A: tax relief on what - fees?
B: Not quite sure - he might not get it because he did half of 2nd year

johnbannon

Thanks fro your reply

Tax relief - No way I could afford to pay fees, just on his accommodation and living expenses.
I guess they may have done away with those tax reliefs yesterday anyway.:mad:

Annasopra

johnbannon wrote: »

Thanks fro your reply

Tax relief - No way I could afford to pay fees, just on his accommodation and living expenses.
I guess they may have done away with those tax reliefs yesterday anyway.:mad:

I think you can get tax relief - go to www.revenue.ie and do a search for tax relief on tuition fees

davey122

johnbannon wrote: »

Hi

My son started a course in September 2010 4year level 8. He had his grant application refused because he had started a course in 2005 and completed 1st year but dropped out halfway through 2nd year. He is over 23 and applied as a mature student. I am going to have to get a loan and pay for him.

I have a couple of questions:

1. Can I get tax relief if I am paying his accommodation and living
expenses.
2. Will he get the grant next year.

Please help and Thanks for any advice.

Was he working since dropping out of college or on the dole? Seeing as he is over 23 he should be eligable for the Back to Education Allowance which is the same as the dole. Forms at your local Social Welfare Office

johnbannon

Thanks, I'll check it out

CMARTY10

Hi

I am 21,i went to d.i.t to study engeneering last yr,but did not make the deadline for the grant therefor i had to leave after en-rolling etc,i guess i let it catch up on me and screw the lot up.
Next september i hope to do computing in I.T. Tallaght or D.i.t.
I am living in tallaght

My mam and dad are split living seperately,neither are working.
I am on the sick benefit after an acident and was on the job seekers allowance before that so what way do i go about it applying for the grant with the council OR VEC?

will my previous in D.I.T affect my grant in any way?

Regards Martin

johnbannon

It wont affect you if you didnt receive any grant. You are allowed the grant for any year that you havent received it already. speak to the guys at usi.ie they're very helpful.

Eithne90

what is out there for students returning to college after a year out??

Hi, my name is eithne, in 2009 i was pursuing a course in NUIG and i failed the maths section. i didnt repeat my exams as i hadnt the money at the time and i knew i would fail. i have recently signed on the jobseekers allowance and recieve 100 a month. i really would love to go to college next year but as i got a grant in 1st year i dont know what im entitled to now.? please help!! any advice would be great, im pankicking all the time about this. would i be entitled to free fees? or a grant?