Conflicting info regarding when to apply for grant

racemaker

My other half got an offer to UCC at the beginning of July which he accepted.

He has just got together all the relevant documents he needs to apply for a maintenance grant and went to his local authority (Louth) and was told by a very brash woman that the scheme hasn't started yet, that the application forms aren't available yet, and that he can't even have an offer yet as it is too early and you can't apply till you have an offer.

Now he informed her that the form is available to download not only on studentfinance.ie but also on the louth county council website, she told him they are last year forms and that there is no way they are this years forms as it isn't available till next week. He also informed her he did have an offer as of the 4th of July much to her disbelief and that it states on studentfinance. ie that you should apply as early as possible, even before you have an offer as it can be a long wait.

She took his details and told him they would send him out a form as of next week and that even if he printed a form off the website and bought it in she couldn't accept it as the scheme hasn't started.

Is this all nonsense?

She seemed to have no idea that some offers are already out, let alone that the forms are already available. He has to registered for his course with UCC the first week of August as he recieved his offer so early and yet he can't even apply for the grant yet which will mean he will have to fork out for the registration fee himself and then wait till October, or whenever he gets the money, for it back.

Has anyone else applied yet? Does the scheme not usually start in June?

Elfinamsterdam

The forms are available online, but the local authorities are not accepting the forms untill the 09/10 provisions are out.

You can apply before you get a place, just dont say it to the authority, just hand in the form.

But as of today (27th) there is still no word on the 09/10 provisions so you cant hand the form in yet.