Are grants still available to mature students?

compaqlaptop1

I remember a while back hearing that the grant is being stopped for mature students on back to education allowance. So I went onto citizensinformation.ie this morning to check it out.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/education/third-level-education/fees-and-supports-for-third-level-education/grants_and_funds_available_for_mature_students

Changes in Budget 2010

Budget 2010 introduced several changes to student support schemes.

• Student grants and scholarships were reduced by 5%. This reduction was implemented to all existing and new grant-holders from January 2010.
• Support under the Millennium Partnership Scheme has been withdrawn.
• People who are getting Back to Education Allowance and those on Post-Leaving Certificate courses who are getting VTOS allowances will not be eligible for student support grants. However, this does not affect any entitlement they may have to exemption from college fees or student support charges. This applies to all new grant-holders from 2010 onwards.

But then right underneath that it says -

Schemes to help with fees and maintenance

The main schemes that apply to mature students (generally persons over 23 years of age) are:
The Higher Education Grants Scheme, which is available to students who plan to study full time on approved third-level courses (of at least two years' duration), including mature students.

So in one paragraph it says mature students aren't elligible and in the next paragraph it says they are. So which is it?

Nelly2

If you are on BTEA you can't get the grant. If you are not on BTEA or don't qualify for it you can apply for the grant.

smilerxxx

Hi there,

Originally, everyone who was on BTEA for 12months was eligible for the grant and also got to keep BTEA. However the change in the budget means that you can only have one or the other and not both. So if you keep your BTEA you will only be able to apply for the grant that just pays your fees and no extra payments. I hope this makes sense.

Rubix

Is the grant means tested? I've been at home for the past 9 years have never been to college/uni etc. and have never had a grant for education. Will I qualify for one? or will they tell me to pay my own way since I'm 'supported' by my 'other half' and its my decision to go to Uni.?

paperclip2

Rubix wrote: »

Is the grant means tested? I've been at home for the past 9 years have never been to college/uni etc. and have never had a grant for education. Will I qualify for one? or will they tell me to pay my own way since I'm 'supported' by my 'other half' and its my decision to go to Uni.?

The grant is means tested. If you are aged 23 or over and living with a partner then both of your gross incomes are taken into account. To see if you are eligible the you could use the grant checker system on the website http://www.studentfinance.ie

Rubix

paperclip2 wrote: »

The grant is means tested. If you are aged 23 or over and living with a partner then both of your gross incomes are taken into account. To see if you are eligible the you could use the grant checker system on the website http://www.studentfinance.ie

Thanx Paperclip, will give it a go and see how I get on.

dlofnep

Rubix wrote: »

Is the grant means tested? I've been at home for the past 9 years have never been to college/uni etc. and have never had a grant for education. Will I qualify for one? or will they tell me to pay my own way since I'm 'supported' by my 'other half' and its my decision to go to Uni.?

Yes it's means tested. And if you live at home, if both of your parents work, regardless of whether you're a mature student or not - chances are, you won't qualify.

The advice they gave to me in the grant office was to leave home for a year before going into education. It was the most arse-backwards advice ever from a public servant. It makes no sense whatsoever to delay another year.

So basically - you can get a grant, but only if your household is on very low income.

vin6599

Hi,

Sorry for hijacking thread but not sure where to post..

I am going back to college to do a Degree course part time, i have never done any 3rd level education before. I was wondering is there any grants available to me, both myself and my wife are working full time.

Many Thanks

Vin

Rubix

vin6599 wrote: »

Hi,

Sorry for hijacking thread but not sure where to post..

I am going back to college to do a Degree course part time, i have never done any 3rd level education before. I was wondering is there any grants available to me, both myself and my wife are working full time.

Many Thanks

Vin

As far as I know you can claim a portion of the costs back against taxes - well it is in the case of the Open Uni. How receptive would your employers be to funding the education or part of it? One or two of the students on my course were able to convince there employers to invest in them - worth asking the question.

TERRIC

I'll be applying for BTEA as I was told I qualify etc. etc.
I should still apply for HE Grant for the tuition fees and registration charge, regardless, yes?

sassypsych

Yes terrific still apply so you get your registration fee etc paid.

gaz100

Hi everyone - i hope you don't mind if i jump in here with my question, i am 31, hoping to go to UL for 4 year degree in september - i have never been to third level before - i do have a fetac level 6 award though, i am currently living and working full time (wage is low) in carlow and if i get a place in UL i will be moving home to live with my parents in limerick county. My father retired from his job in may and my mother is a housewife. So do you think i am eligible for a grant and if so is it the maintenance grant and/or tuition fees i should be looking for?
thanks for your help.

paperclip2

TERRIC wrote: »

I'll be applying for BTEA as I was told I qualify etc. etc.
I should still apply for HE Grant for the tuition fees and registration charge, regardless, yes?

Yes you should. You wont be eligible for the maintenance portion of the grant only.

paperclip2

gaz100 wrote: »

Hi everyone - i hope you don't mind if i jump in here with my question, i am 31, hoping to go to UL for 4 year degree in september - i have never been to third level before - i do have a fetac level 6 award though, i am currently living and working full time (wage is low) in carlow and if i get a place in UL i will be moving home to live with my parents in limerick county. My father retired from his job in may and my mother is a housewife. So do you think i am eligible for a grant and if so is it the maintenance grant and/or tuition fees i should be looking for?
thanks for your help.

Free fees will apply in your case as its your first third level course.

The grant is means tested on your income from the last full tax year. This means you will have to provide income details from 2009, (P60, P21, P21 Balancing statement). You also have to apply to the Co.Council in the county you were resident in on Oct 1st 2009, i.e. Carlow.
This year the reckonable income limit for the maximum ordinary rate of grant is €41,110. If your income in 09 was below this you should be ok. If its not then apply anyway as they have a sliding scale of grant amounts and you may get something.

Next year i.e 2011 you will be assessed on your parents income as you will be resident with them on 1st Oct 2010, all going to plan.

For advice on applying to Carlow Co.Council talk to Edel Geraghty, Information Officer in the Guidance service in Carlow. Tel: 059 9133123

gaz100

thanks paperclip2, i have to get onto it, so basically i just apply for the maintenance grant, i'm not entitled to anything else? Also one other question - if i am living with my parents from october, what proof will i need for next year? will a bank statement do or will i need my name on a bill?
thanks again

shellarooster

Paperclip2 you seem very knowledgeable on the grants scheme etc, its good to see someone who knows what they are talking about, I have been getting conflicting information from everywhere with regards to these grants.

i am 25 and going back to college to do a masters, i am being assessed onmy parents as am living at home and not working the last year..... I have been told I will get my grant and fee's but not my BTEA because my postgrad is not 'approved'.... HOWEVER the grant is only 3 grand for the year and I dont know how I will survive as my parents are out of work too. do you know if there is any other body or scheme there that can help people under severe financial strain??