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Am I eligible for a Maintenance Grant?

  • 08-04-2009 10:22AM
    #1
    Swamps
    Closed Accounts Posts: 43 ✭


    Just wondering if i am eligible for a grant before I start preparing getting all the different infomation together to apply only to be told I am not because of one of the main principles of eligibility that im not sure about.

    After my leaving cert in 2006 I managed to get a place in university for the academic year 06-07. I applied for a maintenance grant and it was accepted.

    I then withdrew from university after finding the course just wasnt for me in december of 06.

    And have not applied for it since or did any other third level courses. Do you's think i would be eligible therefore for a grant for the academic year of 09-10?

    or do i have to wait for 5 full years after my withdrawel to get another grant like it states in some FAQ's ive read, something called a "second chance" student or something.

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Knifey_Spoony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 318 ✭✭Knifey_Spoony


    I'm not an expert or anything...but from what I read on studentfinance.ie, this is my understanding:

    If you have been out of the education system for a full 5 years, you will be eligible for the maintenance grant this year (provided you meet all the other criteria).

    Since you aren't out of education for the full 5 years though, you could start college this year and incur the fees etc this year, without getting the grant. Then in 2nd year you should be eligible for the grant (again, provided you meet all the other criteria).
    You wont get the grant for 1st year, since you already got it for year 1 of a different course, within the last 5 years. You should get it in 2nd, 3rd, 4th year though.

    THat is my understanding of it...


  • #3
    Swamps
    Closed Accounts Posts: 43 ✭Swamps


    Thanks for that man

    I think you may be right as that sounds a bit like the bit I didnt understand before and now it seems a bit clearer to me that it could only really mean that. I may get in touch with the authority/vec and see what they have to say before i decide not to apply for it at all this year.

    So ill have to wait until the second year in order to get the grant and pay the registration fee meself and do without any of the other money you usually receive. Hopefully ill be able to avail of the BTEA before i have to register for the course as i doubt ill have the funds to get through the year.


  • #4
    Knifey_Spoony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 318 ✭✭Knifey_Spoony


    No problem!

    Fingers crossed I am wrong though, and you get the grant! :)


  • #5
    Hannahlu
    Closed Accounts Posts: 43 ✭Hannahlu


    Hi,
    I'm in the exact same position as yourself.
    Would we also have to pay the 1st year of fees for the course, thats what i got from the studentfinance site?


  • #6
    87goose
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭87goose


    The way it stands is-

    The government will currently fund a students bachelor degree programme. If the student uses up one of those years then the student is liable to pay in full for that year if he/she decides to take up another course. (Universities are currently anywhere between €5000-€8000 per year). If you dropped out of that year because of "family or illness" and get a convincing doctors note, you will not have to pay the fees. Make sure the "illness" that you had directly affected your ability to study (insomnia, depression, heart palpatations). It's no good saying that you had a sore tummy!

    If you were ill for the 06/07 academic year I'd imagine you will be able to claim the maintance grant again.

    Some advice-if you do claim that you were infact ill for the 06/07 academic year and you apply to have your 09/10 fees paid for, they will probably turn down your application and hope you don't apply again. KEEP APPLYING if you have a "genuine" case.


    Best of luck.


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