Reasonable Student Loan amount? oh and a couple of grant questions..

Alako

Hiya,

I'm currently working full-time but am starting 4 year degree this Sept as a independent Mature Student. It's a Level 8 degree I'm doing, I have a Level 7 degree already and earned under the reckonable income for full maintenance.. so I hope I should get a grant. Am trying to get all the stuff together for application at the mo, hoping to send it off this week.

Does anyone know usually how soon grant eligibility notification comes through after you apply? It will be South Dublin County Council I'll be applying to.. I'm just wondering what's the situation on registration and course fees and stuff, if there's a grant delay, will I have to cover the fees myself, and then get the money back when grant comes through? I'm not sure what the final due date on these fees are.. it's DIT I'm going to. It will be about €5000 to cover course and registration for the year.

I'm planning on working part-time while in college, but to cover my rent I'm going to apply for a loan. Do many people do this..? For four years it will mean a loan of about €22,000.. is this mad? I don't really mind having a loan to pay off.. used to it! But I just don't want raised eyebrows at the bank when I go in to talk to them.

All thoughts and opinions very welcome!

Thanks : )

Mrs Garth Brooks

As far as i know you don't get the grant if you've already been to college. If you have a level 7 (was that a 3 year course), you're on your own for the first 3 years and only when you reach fourth year you will get the free fees and the grant.

So you will have fees and living expenses to pay for the first 3 years.

Unless its different because you earn below the reckonable income? Oh i hope so, can anyone do a second course and get the grant if they earn below the reckonable income? Is it worth applying anyway?

rlow68

Does one entitled to back to education as a student in a private college for a Level 8 degree program?

A response will be appreciated

Alako

This is taken from [url]www.studentfinance.ie:[/url]

Link

I am Over 23 Years of Age on 01 January 2010
You are eligible to apply for a grant if you meet either of the following conditions:

• I am entering an approved Honours Degree course* for the first time
  
  OR
  
• I am re-entering an approved Honours Degree course* to complete it (for the first time) after a break of three years or more, having previously been a candidate dependent on parents or legal guardians, and having previously entered an approved course*
  

*Approved under either the Higher Education Grants Scheme or the Vocational Education Committee Scholarship Scheme

Note: If you previously attempted an approved Honours Degree course but did not successfully complete it and are now, following a break in your studies of at least five years, returning to pursue an approved course at the same level in 2010-11, you are still considered eligible to apply for a grant.
Also note that if you entered an approved Honours Degree course prior to the 1996-97 academic year and are now entering an approved course outside of Ireland in 2010-11, you are still considered eligible to apply for a grant. Terms and conditions apply here.


The course I did before was an ordinary degree course, Level 7, and entering an honours degree course, Level 8 is seen as progression, and so I think I am eligible... I hope I am anyway...! Can anyone clarify?


Thanks

delama

Alako, I am applying for a level 8 degree also this year. I already hold a level 6 and 7 (did 3 years altogether), and have contacted all the colleges I applied to, to check about fees.
They won't give me a definitive answer until I get offered the course, but they have all said that its likely I don't have to pay fees as I am progressing to level 8.
So you shouldn't have to pay fees.
I can't say anything about the grant though. But if I was you , I'd definitely apply anyway.

rlow68,
I believe that once you qualify for btea, it doesn't matter if its a private course or not.

Penisland

Alako wrote: »

Hiya,

I'm currently working full-time but am starting 4 year degree this Sept as a independent Mature Student. It's a Level 8 degree I'm doing, I have a Level 7 degree already and earned under the reckonable income for full maintenance.. so I hope I should get a grant. Am trying to get all the stuff together for application at the mo, hoping to send it off this week.

Does anyone know usually how soon grant eligibility notification comes through after you apply? It will be South Dublin County Council I'll be applying to.. I'm just wondering what's the situation on registration and course fees and stuff, if there's a grant delay, will I have to cover the fees myself, and then get the money back when grant comes through? I'm not sure what the final due date on these fees are.. it's DIT I'm going to. It will be about €5000 to cover course and registration for the year.

I'm planning on working part-time while in college, but to cover my rent I'm going to apply for a loan. Do many people do this..? For four years it will mean a loan of about €22,000.. is this mad? I don't really mind having a loan to pay off.. used to it! But I just don't want raised eyebrows at the bank when I go in to talk to them.

All thoughts and opinions very welcome!

Thanks : )

Thats mental! Why would you want to get that high of loan!! You will prob end up paying 26k+ back after college!! Be every hard for you to get together a deposit for a house or just have money to have fun :P Get a part time job and learn how to live like a student again

drunken_munky52

Sorry for putting a spanner in the works, but I have a a similar query.

Im starting a level 8 one year add on from my 3 year level 7. This was covered by my first free tuition fees.

I plan on starting another 4 year level 8 next year after i complete this one.

I will be 25 by next september

I dont mind payment the registration fees like before. Do I have any chance of getting my tuition fees free for this new course?

delama

drunken_munky52 wrote: »

Sorry for putting a spanner in the works, but I have a a similar query.

Im starting a level 8 one year add on from my 3 year level 7. This was covered by my first free tuition fees.

I plan on starting another 4 year level 8 next year after i complete this one.

I will be 25 by next september

I dont mind payment the registration fees like before. Do I have any chance of getting my tuition fees free for this new course?

I believe you won't get tuition fees paid again, as you will be doing the same level course. The student must "be a first time undergraduate".

drunken_munky52

delama wrote: »

I believe you won't get tuition fees paid again, as you will be doing the same level course. The student must "be a first time undergraduate".

So I would have to apply for the grant > VEC, County Council, would I be likely to get any assistance from them?

delama

drunken_munky52 wrote: »

So I would have to apply for the grant > VEC, County Council, would I be likely to get any assistance from them?

Sorry, but I don't know anything about the grant. I've never applied for it, but studentfinance.ie is a great website.HTH

Alako

I'm still really unsure as to whether I'll be considered for a grant..I've looked on a few sites and I can't ascertain whether progression means only an 'add-on' year, or a new degree at a higher level.. hmm. I'll be sending off my application anyways, all fingers and toes crossed. Have a giant knot in my stomach now.. not sure what I'll do if I don't get a grant : /

Anyone have anything to say on below though..? Thanks

Alako wrote: »

Does anyone know usually how soon grant eligibility notification comes through after you apply? It will be South Dublin County Council I'll be applying to.. I'm just wondering what's the situation on registration and course fees and stuff, if there's a grant delay, will I have to cover the fees myself, and then get the money back when grant comes through? I'm not sure what the final due date on these fees are.. it's DIT I'm going to. It will be about €5000 to cover course and registration for the year.

I'm planning on working part-time while in college, but to cover my rent I'm going to apply for a loan. Do many people do this..? For four years it will mean a loan of about €22,000.. is this mad? I don't really mind having a loan to pay off.. used to it! But I just don't want raised eyebrows at the bank when I go in to talk to them.

iwannagoonstric

I'm in same situation, finished a level 7 degree in 2006 - entereing first year level 8 in 2010. There are a few loop holes

like if there has been five years passed since you last were in college - i think this is valid even if the course is for the same level.

or if you are undertaking a course at a higher level - eg 6 to 7 or 7 to 8.

but when i was in checkin it out with the VEC i was told i wouldnt get the grant at all cuz i was at college already.
I went to the county council and they told me it was irrelevant what qualifications i have?