Question about grant

I'm 22 and have been living away from home for over 3 years, so when filling out the grant application form do I have to include all the details concerning my parents and their income or do I leave it balnk?

mikemac

Afaik yes, you are not a mature student until 23 so they need your parents income for this application.
Your parents could be millionaires and this is a means test after all.
Even if you don't live at home it's still taken into account

I'm happy to be corrected

Thanks. I take it then that my parents income levels are the ones used to decide if I get a grant or not which seems very unfair.

mikemac

Yep, they will take into account your parents income levels. Unfair or not, that's how it's always been.
I don't know how the mature student scheme works, it's probably different but it doesn't apply to you.

Good info here.
I link to this site constantly in posts but it's realy very good.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/education/third-level-education/fees-and-supports-for-third-level-education/maintenance_grant_schemes_for_students_on_third_level_courses

Key post here for you OP

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.

micmclo

micmclo wrote: »

Yep, they will take into account your parents income levels. Unfair or not, that's how it's always been.
I don't know how the mature student scheme works, it's probably different but it doesn't apply to you

Yeah just for anyone looking in on this - if you've over 23 you can be assessed on your own income, or possibly on your income and your parents'. What matters really is where you're staying the previous year (October) you start your course.

If you're under 23 you can't at the moment be assessed on your own income, but this is being proposed to be changed for 2009/10, although the detail hasn't been released yet as to how that'll work.

pow wow

Myth wrote: »

Yeah just for anyone looking in on this - if you've over 23 you can be assessed on your own income, or possibly on your income and your parents'. What matters really is where you're staying the previous year (October) you start your course.

If you're under 23 you can't at the moment be assessed on your own income, but this is being proposed to be changed for 2009/10, although the detail hasn't been released yet as to how that'll work.

Good to hear. I know in the UK you can petition to be considered as independent regardless of age; seems logical as not everyone has the benefit of their parents' wealth.

DancingRainDrop

Myth wrote: »

If you're under 23 you can't at the moment be assessed on your own income, but this is being proposed to be changed for 2009/10, although the detail hasn't been released yet as to how that'll work.

So if you're living at home would you just be judged on your parents income and not on you're income if you had a part-time job?
Or would they take the part-time job into account?

abi2007

I think they take both yours and your parents into account. I'm in "talks" with them at the mo because i moved out of my parents on the 4th of October 3 days after the cut off date. I have my own house and my own child, I'm in no way dependant on my parents and i'm 25 any way way below the income limit! if I don't get the grant i may not be able to go to college. I will appeal it if they decline it and if that doesn't work i'm going to get on to the minister or something....it's only three days!! I only moved back to my parents because i had to sell the house i bought with my x.

DancingRainDrop

definately appeal if its only 3 days!!

when they consider to give the grants do they look at the figures before or after tax?

abi2007

I assume be before, as they go off your p21 but i wouldn't be 100%.