Deduction of "Holiday earnings" for grant?

Sad Professor

From the grant notes:

A Candidate’s total income must be included in this Section, however, it should be noted that a deduction will be allowed for reasonable holiday earnings in the summary of reckonable earnings on page 11 of the application form.

A Candidate’s earnings from holiday employment is the Candidate’s reasonable earnings from employment outside of term time.

Does anyone know how this works? Can I just deduct what I earned during the summer months? Are mature students also entitled to this?

The grant notes are very vague. I'll probably contact the council but I'd appreciate info from anyone who has experience with this.

Hacks

i was filling in that form today and just put down €1,200 holiday money on the form (as in 2 wks holiday pay when i was working in 2008)

Sad Professor

No, it's for employment outside of term time, i.e. the summer months. Which makes no sense when you think about it. By right it should be the other way around with your earnings from employment *during* term time being excluded.

I mean, everyone works during the summer. Having to work evenings and weekends to support yourself through college is hardly ideal. They should make a substantial allowance for this. Whole grant system is a joke.

Last year they allowed for €3809 in "holiday earnings". I contacted the council and they told me I'd need to provide a letter from my employer indicating that I worked during the summer. More bloody documentation...

Hacks

I thought it was being excluded ??? Does it not take that away from your other earnings ?? Its down at the bottom of the form

Sad Professor

Yeah, it does. Up to a maximum of €3809 under the 2008 scheme.

Hacks

This might be a little off the subject but does anyone know when 09 rates will be announced and if the government will stamp out maintenance grants for those getting the BTEA ??? Surely by the time they sit in the Dail again (end of Sept i think) it'll be too late to cut it out for this year ??

Sad Professor

Yeah, the 2009 grants scheme with this years rates should be due soon.

You're in the clear for the BTEA. If the government decide to implement McCarthy's recommendations it will be in December's budget so it will have no effect on this year.

Hacks

Ya but will i be in the clear to get some sort of maintenance grant as well as the BTEA ?? I think the recommendation wasa that people cant get both ??? Also, if the recommendation's cant be put into place til December, does that mean the dole payments wont be reduced until then ?? Dont mean to sound like such a tight-arse asking these questions

Sad Professor

Yes — any changes to the grant or dole will be made in December's budget.

Hacks

Please take this in the right way............Sad Professor...........i think i love you !!!