grant question

brozio

hi,

i have just finished my undergrad degree in maynooth (biological sciences) after 4 years and now in september i'm off to galway for a 1 year masters. I have never applied for a grant for my undergrad studies. I have been living away from home for 3 years now, does my parents income still effect if i'm eligible for a grant? i'm 22 now and won't be 23 till may, do i just fall into the catagory of being too young to qualify for mature student funding but still can't get a grant due to my parents income despite the fact i'v been away from home for 3 years? is they any way i can apply for any type of funding without my parents income coming into it?

Thanks

Tzetze

Unfortunately, it looks like you are too young to qualify this year. This from studentfinances.ie;

Important:

If you are under 23 years of age on the 1 January of the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course, you are not considered to be living independently of your parent(s) or guardian(s) even if you are not residing with them. This is the case whether or not you have a spouse. Only mature students, i.e. those over 23 years of age on the 1 January of the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course, who are living independently of their parent(s) or guardian(s) are considered independent applicants and are assessed as such.

Taking a year out may be your best option if you are relying heavily on the grant. Someone might know of some other options available?

Yep, this has come up before - to the best of my knowledge, the Council looks at you going straight from your undergrad to a postgrad as 'progression', whereas if you take a year out you could go back and be reassessed on your own income.

The only really other thing you can do is to possibly have a look at what scholarships are on offer in your college, as well as having a look through the various [urlhttp://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9490/other-finance/index.html]other[/url] finance options that might be available to you.

Do remember one thing though - if things do get tight during the year your Student Support Service/Tutors/Students' Union will be able to advise you about the Student Assistance Fund (available at the above website too) which is a confidential fund you can apply to. It's good just to keep it in the back of your head just in case.

Hope the Masters goes well.

brozio

thanks a million for the replys guys, appreciate it