How do you pay for college?

m19

Hey, Just discovered I shall most likely be attending NUIM in September
after initially planning to go to W.I.T. anyway I wondered how do you
pay for college? I'm planning to work at weekends and summers etc
Do many students work part time and how are they finding it?
What is the average income for a student after rent? Do most people
accept aid from parents I prefer to be independent and think It works
out better for me, Would like to get some advice and perspectives?
Much Appreciated

EDIT Not restricted to NUIM students would appreciate all opinions so if the mods feel
it should be moved please do!

barleybooley

Well, my parents pay for everything and they wouldn't want it any other way. I really don't feel bad about it because we were pretty much always told putting ourselves through is not an option. I do know it's pretty commonplace for people to want to fund themselves but to me, it's nearly counter-productive. Hats off to anyone who does though.

m19

Thanks Barleybooley.

How much do you find college costs including socialising monthly?

barleybooley

m19 wrote: »

Thanks Barleybooley.

How much do you find college costs including socialising monthly?

Ah, week to week living is not that dear, you could definitely do it on 50e excluding travel a week. Drinking at home/bush lushing is key to socialising on the cheap. If you smoke, get used to rolling because you won't afford it otherwise/ But seriously, careful budgeting will get you through on next to nothing.

Einhard

Usually with money. I tried to barter them some beads and other such trinkets but they politely declined

Einhard

Seriously though, your folks helping out? If they are, and especially if they've never been to uni themselves, it's amazing how responsive they can be to the old "I really, really need a book for lectures tomorrow. Can you pop some $$$ in my account" trick at 10pm on a Thursday night!

If they're not, you could get the grant, apply for a scholarship, work the weekends, give up drink (ok, let's not get too drastic here...)

m19

Parents want to pay for it all but but prefer to work and have some independence
to be honest, trying to get an estimate of the average costs will pay the
years rent in august so that wont be a problem.

Effluo

Don't buy the books...

That is all

Einhard

m19 wrote: »

Parents want to pay for it all but but prefer to work and have some independence
to be honest, trying to get an estimate of the average costs will pay the
years rent in august so that wont be a problem.

Don't be an idiot!! Let them pay for it if they're willing. You'll look very independent on a Thursay night when your mates are going out and you either have to stay at home due to lack of $$$, or bum some off your friends.

I know a few people who shouldered the financial buren themselves. They didn't do so on principal but because their folks genuinely couldn't afford, and I gaurantee you that had they the choice you have, they'd have allowed their folks to pay.

If you're uncomfortable though, perhaps your folks could pay the capital costs like the rent, and you look after weekly expenses.

m19

I see your point but my aprents would hold it over me forever literally.
I will have the rent paid in advance for the year so that wont be a problem,
I know it would be easier to let them pay for it but i have always worked weekends
at school and it isn't a problem. Thanks

mickstupp

m19 wrote: »

I see your point but my aprents would hold it over me forever literally.

Thing is, once you're qualified in whatever it is, your ability to repay will be drastically improved. I would recommend getting help wherever you can find it.

As to the original question, personally I pay for college on bank loans and whatever work I can find on the side, which isn't very much at all. But you can live very cheaply if you try. Just depends on what you're willing to sacrifice. Lidl/Aldi and the library are your friends. O'Briens/Bewleys and the college Bookshop are not.

Rozabeez

Hi OP, I get a half grant, live at home and work part time and I'm still broke quite a lot of the time, the 10 minute train/bus journey even costs a lot more than you'd imagine.

Here's the thing about working, you need to figure out as soon as possible how many hours you can work. The place I work often had me in for 32 hours a week on top of college last year, and before Xmas this year, it really had me run down and my college work was terrible. If you get a part time job, do not let them take advantage of you. I suggest working 15-20 hours a week if you're sticking around on weekends.

LeixlipRed

Try get a job if you can. I worked during 1st and 2nd year of my undergrad and provided for myself through that period even though I was living at home. It's much better that way than relying on your parents for every penny, I just couldn't abide that. My younger brother has to do that now as he can't find a job. It's much harder now to actually get part time work whereas when I started college back in 02 it was much easier. I think having some control over your own finances as early as possible is preparation for later life when it will all come down to you.

As others mentioned though, if you get a part time job they will more than likely try to take advantage of you. You have to be careful to set boundaries with them, be explicit that you'll need a good period of time off for exams, etc,. If they're not willing to cater for you at all then you're best off without that particular employer. Remember that you're in a much stronger position to demand time off and what not if you make an effort to be punctual, not phone in "sick", etc,. I found in the jobs I've done over the years that once you put in the minimum effort with that sort of stuff they find it hard to refuse you time off. Good luck!

Thwip!

just quick thing.....if you're doing arts and end up picking law....buy no books....the library is all you need, except maybe some cliffnotes

same cud kind of apply to music, i got the old version of norton anthology for free and didnt even buy the second book for second semester and im doing better than i thought i would

m19

Rozabeez wrote: »

Hi OP, I get a half grant, live at home and work part time and I'm still broke quite a lot of the time, the 10 minute train/bus journey even costs a lot more than you'd imagine.

Here's the thing about working, you need to figure out as soon as possible how many hours you can work. The place I work often had me in for 32 hours a week on top of college last year, and before Xmas this year, it really had me run down and my college work was terrible. If you get a part time job, do not let them take advantage of you. I suggest working 15-20 hours a week if you're sticking around on weekends.

Thanks for all your replies they are very helpful.
I would most likely be coming home at the weekends and would
hope to be working then.
Hopingb to get an average estimation of what it costs weekly/mothly excluding
rent.

LeixlipRed

There's no easy way to come to an average figure. Depends on how you spend your money. You'd have bills, ESB, heating, internet/TV. ESB and heating will cost more or less depending on how well insulated the place is. Say 20 euro a month for ESB, 10 euro a month for internet/TV, maybe a bit less. Heating is erratic plus there's a new carbon tax coming on board soon which will jack up the price.

Then there's food, if you make meals in bulk, freeze them and make your own lunch you can probably get by on 30 or 40 euro a week on food. Less even if you're frugal enough.

longhalloween

Ah its easy enough, workin 15 hours a week gives you more than enough to live, if your parents are payin the rent.

If you have to pay rent then youll need to get a cheap shared room to live happily.

Sure everyones in the same boat anyways, so they understand that ya have no money.

princess_calico

I'm in first year at the moment and am living on campus which costs €3648+€500 for bills. The €500 and the first installment of the rent are paid in September, and the rest is paid in January.
I have to say I am finding college to be extremely financially challenging. We have always struggled to make ends meet at home, but I am not entitled to any grants or financial support.
I got over 500 points in the LC so I got an entrance scholarship of €1000- which has really helped.
I worked 6 days a week last summer and unfortunately spent more than I should have and because of that, once I had the €1577 in fees and the start of my rent paid for, I was broke. I had to take out a loan from the Credit Union for almost €5000 and although I am going to be working 6 days a week over the summer, that is just going to cover the balance of the loan and hopefully a little bit of the costs in September- then back to the CU for another loan!
During the Christmas period I was working approximately 30 hours a week in Carraig Donn in Liffey Valley but it was extremely difficult to cover my hours and attend college at the same time. It also meant that I spent most of the holidays by myself since everyone else had gone home and I was working until late on Christmas eve! Unfortunately every cent I made while I was there went on keeping me fed and Christmas presents!
I depend hugely on my parents for financial support but it is extremely difficult for them too. I have often managed for a week on less than €10 and whatever is left at the bottom of my freezer. Some weeks if I can't afford the train home I just spend the weekend in Maynooth!
When you're living by yourself, you begin to appreciate every cent that you get (unless you get a grant or your parents can well afford it!) If I'm going out, more often than not I will never buy a drink out and if I can manage it, a few bottles of Aldi wine will do the trick! (It takes a lot to get me drunk so it doesn't happen often! )
Most of what I am trying to say is that if you put your mind to it, you will be able to manage! If your parents offer to support you however, take them up on their offer if they can afford it. You have plenty of time later on in life to be independent!

LeixlipRed

7 euro per hour? Well that's illegal

Cal_Egle

LeixlipRed wrote: »

7 euro per hour? Well that's illegal

I know...I understand what you are saying, but no-one has to do it... I
know the girl thats started this business (and its only recently she kicked it off) and she isnt making any more than 8 euro per hour... do you think she should give it up and go on the dole? If there are folks out there that just want a few hours work with no strings attached, they might be interested in mailing her.

LeixlipRed

If you're running a business and paying yourself 7 euro an hour that's perfectly acceptable. You cannot however employ someone and pay them that rate. If you're talking about a nixer than you probably shouldn't advertise it so openly or your friend might end up having some legal issues.

wonton

LeixlipRed wrote: »

7 euro per hour? Well that's illegal

it depends on your age. you have to be 21 to get minimum wage.

nothing

wonton wrote: »

it depends on your age. you have to be 21 to get minimum wage.

You only have to be 18, but you have to have been working since you were 16.

m19

thanks for all the replies. Much appreciated, Sorted out a sensible
budget. Just wanted to double
check are round 1 offers expected to be august 23rd and do you think
the first week of august is enough time to book accomadation? thanks.

xOxSinéadxOx

m19 wrote: »

thanks for all the replies. Much appreciated, Sorted out a sensible
budget. Just wanted to double
check are round 1 offers expected to be august 23rd and do you think
the first week of august is enough time to book accomadation? thanks.

yep I only went up looking for somewhere at the start of september. you should be grand