Classification of a Mature Student

Barlett

Hi guys I'm applying for the grant because I'm going back to do my Masters since I lost my job in January. Now the application is pretty clear but I wanted to be sure I tried ringing the DES but got no response.

I've been living independently of my Parents since November 2008 and can prove it, I'm over 23 as of January 1st 2010 but I'm only out of college since May 2008 so my question is since I fall short of being out of college 3 years will I just be assessed as a candidate dependent on parents the same as an 18 year old applying for the grant?

Because surely I can't be classed as a mature student dependent on my parents where they take mine and their income into account since I haven't lived with them for 2 years.

seadnamac

Barlett wrote: »

Hi guys I'm applying for the grant because I'm going back to do my Masters since I lost my job in January. Now the application is pretty clear but I wanted to be sure I tried ringing the DES but got no response.

I've been living independently of my Parents since November 2008 and can prove it, I'm over 23 as of January 1st 2010 but I'm only out of college since May 2008 so my question is since I fall short of being out of college 3 years will I just be assessed as a candidate dependent on parents the same as an 18 year old applying for the grant?

Because surely I can't be classed as a mature student dependent on my parents where they take mine and their income into account since I haven't lived with them for 2 years.

Yep, you have to be out of education three years to be classed as an independant mature student. I'm in a similar situation to you and it's pretty much stopping me from going to college. It's a ridiculous set of criteria you have to satisfy.

savagecabbages

I'm in the same boat, only out two years... Had we applied last year we'd have been fine, very annoying!

Are there any other options open to us or is this the line???...
I think I can accept my place and defer for a year, to make it three years i'll have been out, but thats far from an ideal situation.

Barlett

Yeah I got through to them there, so despite the fact I've been working and living in Dublin since November 2008 in the eyes of the Government I'm still financially dependent on my parents because I only finished my degree two years ago. :rolleyes:

I really wish they could set up a proper student loan scheme rather than coming up with a nonsensical set of criteria which is basically there to prevent people getting the grant.

savagecabbages

****More digging for a straight answer****

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7552/i-am-over-23-years-of-age-on-1-1-2008/index.html

Read the first option here...
Is this not telling us we are eligible??
I'm not giving up yet there has to be some options open

seadnamac

savagecabbages wrote: »

****More digging for a straight answer****

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7552/i-am-over-23-years-of-age-on-1-1-2008/index.html

Read the first option here...
Is this not telling us we are eligible??
I'm not giving up yet there has to be some options open

That's what I thaught aswell and that is definitely how it reads but apparantly even though it says "entering an approved post-graduate course for the first time" it means 'entering an approved course for the first time which happens to be a post-graduate one'. ie. it's your first time in college.

It doesn't make sense though because surely to enter a post-grad you have to have done an undergrad at some stage? That what I was told anyway but feel free to ring up your council/VEC or whatever and take them up on it and let us know what they say.

savagecabbages

Anyone looked at the back to education scheme?

I went to the social welfare office and asked, and was told it doesn't apply to masters degrees. But it DOES if you are a mature student! Read the rules section here:
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/BackToEducation/Pages/ThirdLevelOption.aspx

Or is the back to education scheme leading me down the same track to the city council again and their new definition of 're-entering'...

seadnamac

savagecabbages wrote: »

Anyone looked at the back to education scheme?

I went to the social welfare office and asked, and was told it doesn't apply to masters degrees. But it DOES if you are a mature student! Read the rules section here:
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/BackToEducation/Pages/ThirdLevelOption.aspx

Or is the back to education scheme leading me down the same track to the city council again and their new definition of 're-entering'...

To qualify for this basically you have to have been on the dole for the 12 months immediately before the start date of your course. I don't think all the stupid 're-entering' criteria apply in this case. To me, this actually encourages people, who want to further their education, to remain on the dole. The grant system really is a joke.

Barlett

At the moment it certainly does like I'm going to find a way to finance my masters and start in Sept no matter what but it would be quite logical to go screw it I'll stay on the dole for another year and then start my Masters next September. Whoever came up with this new three year thing really has no clue and I presume it was Batt O'Keefe. I know they need to cut costs but at least come up with a coherent set of guidelines rather than this mess of contradictions.

donegal11

savagecabbages wrote: »

Anyone looked at the back to education scheme?

I went to the social welfare office and asked, and was told it doesn't apply to masters degrees. But it DOES if you are a mature student! Read the rules section here:
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/BackToEducation/Pages/ThirdLevelOption.aspx

If your 24 you will get funded for postgraduate courses that are classed at level 8 (higher diploma) or postgraduate diploma in education, NOT masters which are level 9. And from my understanding if you get beta you will still have to pay fees which would be covered up to 6000 euro if you were entitled to the grant.

savagecabbages

think your right there its only for add-on degrees and Hdips... my bad

I think BETA pays the fees, and gives social welfare you were on, the grant pays your fees and gives a lump sum. The changes made to that this year stop people from getting the lump sum and the welfare which is only fair really.


I can acccept my place on the course for this autumn, and defer it, but thats being a bit counter-productive hanging around for another year! I'm on casual labour it would be much more sensible to put me on the grant scheme this year and have me back into the workforce sooner rather than giving me another years worth of casual labour (or worse) and putting me on the same grant scheme to do the same course :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: