Receiving grant after dropping out & changing colleges

karenjordan

Hey guys.
I am now doing a level 7 course in an I.T. Im not doing to well and just know i will fail the upcoming summer exams.
I want to move college in september & do Business but is it true i wont receive the maintenance grant again, because i failed my exams in the last college??
I really dont know what to do, because i wont be able to get through colleg without the grant.:(:confused:

gamemaiden

As far as I know you only receive the grant for the length of the degree, so as you have received one year of the grant. if you switch to another course you will not start back at year one of your grant again. You will either not get your grant next year or your grant will finish a year before your degree finishes. Maybe talk to Marian in the S.U? That is what she is there for! This is just what I have heard other students saying so don't take it that I'm correct.

jano1

You will not get the grant for year 1 again as you have left it too late to officially drop out and get it all/half of it again. You will also have to pay full fees for the first year if you do it again - not just the reg fee of €1700 but the tuition fees too. If you complete first year in the new course then you can apply for the grant for second year as it will be your first time to do 2nd year

alanatoday

OP, I went back to college as a mature student having completed only 2 years in a different course. The duration of the new course is three years. I wasn't eligible for the grant the first couple of years, however I've been reliably informed I will get it in my third (and final) year. Even though I had to pay the registration fee, I didn't have to pay tuition fee's. I think it was because I was a mature student. (If anyone knows otherwise, please feel free to let me know!)

I would contact your nearest VEC to find out for definite what you are entitled to and eligible for.

jano1

Alanatoday - did you have a break since you did the first two years?

"Students who, having attended but not completed approved courses, are returning following a break of at least five years in order to pursue approved courses at the same level in the 2009-10 academic year are deemed eligible for free fees."

The OP is STILL in first year and wants to first year all over again next year. I rang the Dept Ed and Science re this for someone else last year and they confirmed that you have to pay fees unless there is a gap as quoted above on the studentfinance website! The only extenuating circumstances they consider otherwise to exempt you from paying tuition fees for a repeat year are if you had a serious illness and missed most of the year but even at that, they won't apply this unless you are sticking with the same course as you started.

alanatoday

Hey Jano, I returned to college only 2 years after dropping out and I definitely don't have to pay fees (only registration). Not sure why thats the case.
OP, as Jano said, you will not get the grant for your first year in your new course.
You should contact your college as there are a few financial services available to students. In some colleges I know that the Chaplain office have a fund for students in financial need. Money can be loaned to students interest free. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance from the college if you really need the help.