the u/l access programme?

irishvamp90

hi im in lit.just wondering what you have to do to get the access programme?

Mossin

The Access programme is different in Universities than it is in Institutions of Technology.
Thats not me being snobby or anything, its just a fact.

To apply for it in UL for example, its a means tested grant. Its based on your parents income for the previous year, so if you were to apply this year, it'd be based on their income for 2008. There is a lot of paperwork required, and forms such as P60's and P21's for both parents.

It's a HEA grant also, and it is currently being affected badly due to cutbacks.
The funding for it is dimishing rapidly, and it looks like feck all support will be available in September, in UL anyways!

Tbh, its not a matter of what you ahve to get, its a matter of how much your parents earn, and if they are below certain thresholds, you may be entitled to the Access grant.
Afaik, the applications are due in early February each year too, and no late applications are accepted.

Check this out for more information on Access in UL:
http://www2.ul.ie/web/WWW/Services/Student%20Affairs/Student%20Specialised%20Supports/Access%20Office/Routes%20to%203rd%20Level

Hope this has been some help.

ninty9er

There are particular entry places for people falling into the category of the following:

Social disadvantage
Economic disadvantage
Cultural diversity

There may be more, but contacting the Access Office might be your best bet. They're very helpful and know their stuff as you would expect.

irishvamp90

the reason i asked is because i saw a lad from u.l who gets an access place/grant because he is from a disadvantaged area.i think that is totally wrong,if your a decent person you shouldnt have to drag your address into it what difference should that make

ninty9er

irishvamp90 wrote: »

the reason i asked is because i saw a lad from u.l who gets an access place/grant because he is from a disadvantaged area.i think that is totally wrong,if your a decent person you shouldnt have to drag your address into it what difference should that make

That's the nature of targetted programmes. They aim to solve issues by aiming at where most problems occur. I'd prefer it to be administered that way than not at all, which IS the alternative rightly or wrongly.

irishvamp90

so my parents who work hard.mind their money,i work part time get not even a little help because i live in dooradoyle yet someone because their address is rathbane get a full grant?

Zeouterlimits

irishvamp90 wrote: »

so my parents who work hard.mind their money,i work part time get not even a little help because i live in dooradoyle yet someone because their address is rathbane get a full grant?

Do your households earn the same amount? Does your family have a greater history of 3rd level education that he does?
I'd suggest you take this up with the Access office if you want the best explanation for how it works.

ninty9er

irishvamp90 wrote: »

so my parents who work hard.mind their money,i work part time get not even a little help because i live in dooradoyle yet someone because their address is rathbane get a full grant?

I don't think a Rathbane address alone would quite qualify, there would need to be other circumstances. It isn't just a matter of ticking one box.

Life's not fair, but the point is to encourage people into third level, and historically people from Dooradoyle, Monaleen, Cobh, Killarney, Foxock and Dundrum need little encouragement to attend as they already live in a surrounding where the value of third level education is accepted.

Look, I missed out on a grant by €200 over the income limit in 2nd year, tough ****, I got over it. I don't begrudge anyone a chance in life, maybe after getting through 4 years of college you might be able to see more clearly and appreciate the differences that make it less likely for people from certain areas to attend.