Back To Education / Grant

mousehouse

Hi
I am totally confused. I am going to be going to college for first time in september as a mature student I have been unemployed for last 13 months and I am wondering what is my best option finance wise should I be going for BTEA or applying for a grant which is more benefit to me..

Cheers

sassypsych

Personally I would say that BTEA is your best bet as it is €196 a week and you can work part time during college without it affecting anything.

The grant is less a week, you have to wait for it in installments rather than getting it every week, and if you work then next year this will be taken into consideration for grant levels.

araic26

Got a question bout grant too??

Went to college 5 years ago, was doing a diploma course, almost did most of the first year but had to leave towards the end for personal and rather understandable reasons.

Anyway, going at it again this year:D-only im doing a higher certificate course. Which is a level beneath what i was doing.
It says on studentfinance that you get a second chance after so many years but must be doing the same level of course??? Are they very strict on this?? would they be understandable if i explained why i had to leave the course, or would that just be scrunched up and thrown in the bin??
Just need it to pay for my fees really as im imagining thats about €3000 up to €9000??

Im applying anyway:D, just wondering if someone might have an idea if i might be eligible, so as I'll know whether i should really knuckle down and save??

mikey1

mousehouse wrote: »

Hi
I am totally confused. I am going to be going to college for first time in september as a mature student I have been unemployed for last 13 months and I am wondering what is my best option finance wise should I be going for BTEA or applying for a grant which is more benefit to me..

Cheers

You can actually apply for both and receive both at the same time, if accepted of course!

Terrynova3y2

mikey1 wrote: »

You can actually apply for both and receive both at the same time, if accepted of course!

You can't get them both anymore thanks to the 2010 Budget.

If you apply for both and get accepted on to the BTEA then all you can get from the maintenance grant is your student service charges (registration fees) paid for. €194 and no fees is great if you ask me.

I suggest that you apply ASAP though, I handed in my forms for the grant last week and the clerk told me that it would be at least 5-8 weeks before they even get to my application so unless you apply soon, you could be left waiting till after you need the money to pay the fees.

mikey1

Terrynova3y2 wrote: »

You can't get them both anymore thanks to the 2010 Budget.

If you apply for both and get accepted on to the BTEA then all you can get from the maintenance grant is your student service charges (registration fees) paid for. €194 and no fees is great if you ask me.

I suggest that you apply ASAP though, I handed in my forms for the grant last week and the clerk told me that it would be at least 5-8 weeks before they even get to my application so unless you apply soon, you could be left waiting till after you need the money to pay the fees.

Correct me if im wrong but doesnt your first line contradict your second paragraph!

Turtyturd

Terrynova3y2 wrote: »

You can't get them both anymore thanks to the 2010 Budget.

If you apply for both and get accepted on to the BTEA then all you can get from the maintenance grant is your student service charges (registration fees) paid for. €194 and no fees is great if you ask me.

Do I have to fill out anything seperate for the actual course fees? Or is that taken care of by the college?

Snowie

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=66806718&postcount=3

this is a usefull post

paperclip2

mikey1 wrote: »

Correct me if im wrong but doesnt your first line contradict your second paragraph!

Not really as the grant was traditionally made up of 2 parts, the registration portion that goes directly to the college and the maintenance portion that the student receives.

Since budget 2010 anyone receiving BTEA will no longer be eligible for the maintenance portion, unless they are on OPFP or Disability payment prior to applying for the allowance.

Ms Happy

mikey1 wrote: »

You can actually apply for both and receive both at the same time, if accepted of course!

Not anymore.... changed a few months back

The_Joker.

Ms Happy wrote: »

Not anymore.... changed a few months back

This topic is undergoing discussions at the moment ,and there will be some type of grant/additional payment to people on BTEA for those starting in Sep 2010.

araic26

""Since budget 2010 anyone receiving BTEA will no longer be eligible for the maintenance portion, unless they are on OPFP or Disability payment prior to applying for the allowance.""


Am i reading this right?? So anyone on OPFP->One parent family payment will get both maintenance grant and BTEA???

BroFlo

The_Joker. wrote: »

This topic is undergoing discussions at the moment ,and there will be some type of grant/additional payment to people on BTEA for those starting in Sep 2010.

When will we find out? Do you mind me asking where did you hear this from?

I just applied for both

Ms Happy

The_Joker. wrote: »

This topic is undergoing discussions at the moment ,and there will be some type of grant/additional payment to people on BTEA for those starting in Sep 2010.

I was at a conference a few weeks ago and there was no word of any extra payments within the scheme. Anyone on BTEA gets their weekly payment plus the cost of education allowance of €500

paperclip2

araic26 wrote: »

""Since budget 2010 anyone receiving BTEA will no longer be eligible for the maintenance portion, unless they are on OPFP or Disability payment prior to applying for the allowance.""


Am i reading this right?? So anyone on OPFP->One parent family payment will get both maintenance grant and BTEA???

Yes, as technically they aren't on BTEA but retain their original payment that just has a BTEA code included in it for administration purposes (according to our local DSP Job Facilitator). Those on Disability have to get permission from DSP before starting education.

BroFlo

The_Joker. wrote: »

This topic is undergoing discussions at the moment ,and there will be some type of grant/additional payment to people on BTEA for those starting in Sep 2010.

Thanks 'The Joker' ill keep my fingers and toes crossed

araic26

paperclip2 wrote: »

Yes, as technically they aren't on BTEA but retain their original payment that just has a BTEA code included in it for administration purposes (according to our local DSP Job Facilitator). Those on Disability have to get permission from DSP before starting education.

Im speechless!!

BroFlo

araic26 wrote: »

Im speechless!!

Im jealous & poor

araic26

BroFlo wrote: »

Im jealous & poor

HAHA. I wont believe it till i see it, so till i see it, im poor too,hehe :rolleyes:

Terrynova3y2

mikey1 wrote: »

Correct me if im wrong but doesnt your first line contradict your second paragraph!

I meant to say you can't get them both fully at the same time smart arse :P

Turtyturd wrote: »

Do I have to fill out anything seperate for the actual course fees? Or is that taken care of by the college?

Fill out the BTEA forms and the Maintenance grant forms yourself, you can get them both on www.studentfinance.ie as far as I know.

araic26

paperclip2 wrote: »

Since budget 2010 anyone receiving BTEA will no longer be eligible for the maintenance portion, unless they are on OPFP or Disability payment prior to applying for the allowance.

Was talking to citizens information today and asked them bout this and they put me through to my local county council and they explained that my OPFP would change over to BTEA once i start college and that i would not be intitled to both but that my fees would be covered by the grant.
It would be great if i got to keep my OPFP and get the maintenance part of my grant too, but no!!
But kinda knew it was too good to be true,shame i didnt get my act together last year:rolleyes:..but on the bright side fees will be paid..PHEW:D

sassypsych

araic26 that is wrong.

If you are receiveing OPFP you do not have to go over to BTEA at all if you don't apply!! And you can then claim the maintenance grant and if you were on OPFP for 2009 and earned under the €22,700 income threshold you can get the full grant and special rate.

You will however lose any rent allowance if you are claiming it, but if you are already on rent allowance and do go onto BTEA and not claim the grant you can keep your rent allowance.

This has come from the Social Welfare directly and then confirmed by the higher education grants department.

araic26

sassypsych

Seriously???? so basically i should never have applied for the BTEA??
Im soo confused by it all

Have been receiving OPFP for 4 years!!
CAn't understand why the people in social welfare cant explain this to you when you go in to get BTEA form!!

sassypsych

Well I was looking into it for a few people I know and I spoke to the OPFP department themselves they said that while you are claiming OPFP you are perfectly entitled to go to become a full time student as long as you are still under the condition of OPFP ie not cohabiting or earning over a certain amount etc.

They said you do not have to apply for BTEA unless you wanted to, but that BTEA isn't means tested so it means you could work or receive any other money without it being affected and that if you stay on OPFP you will lose your rent allowance as students aren't able to get rent allowance.

They also said that if you are receiving rent allowance already and change over to BTEA you can keep your rent allowance though.

Don't know why the local authority told you different. They aren't the ones paying your OPFP and are only interested in what you earned in 2009. For all they know you could of been on OPFP in 2009 but recently of stopped which means you are no longer entitled to BTEA but fully entitled to the full grant based on your earnings of 2009.

araic26

This is crazy!!

Have been on OPFP for the past 4 years, dont have rent allowance, have a seasonal job. Went up to SW and explained that i would be going to college in sep, asked would i keep my OPFP or what-she told me to apply for BTEA,handed me the form, told me to fill it in and drop it back and that would be the only financial assistance i would get..
So i have been scrapping for the past few months trying to put every spare penney i have away for the next year in college! College is 40 miles away from me, and i must drive to and from each day. ((not looking for any violins playing in the background))

So mad when i hear this now!!:mad:
Going up first thing in the morning to SW, get this straightened out!!
Thanks sassyphscy

sassypsych

You should call the OPF Department in Sligo direct. If they tell you any differently then they are changing their minds and I will be getting back onto them too as that is 100% the info they gave to me and others apparently.

curiouskat

hi all! wondering if anyone can help me. if i get a part time job now (on VTOS) will it stop me from getting BTEA?! Been trying to find this oot for ages!! thanks:)

araic26

sassypsych wrote: »

You should call the OPF Department in Sligo direct. If they tell you any differently then they are changing their minds and I will be getting back onto them too as that is 100% the info they gave to me and others apparently.

Have just sent an email to them, but im also going into my local SW office tomor and going in personally to county council office on thur..:D
Crazy, i know, but going to get some answers, hopefully:D

sassypsych

Also araic I noticed when you were talking about going into SW you said this:

handed me the form, told me to fill it in and drop it back

But if you are getting OPFP means tested then you should be sending the BTEA to Sligo not back to the Social Welfare office. It states that clearly on the welfare website.

Just shows how conflicting the info is given from office to office it is terrible!!

araic26

HMMMMMMMMMMM interesting point!!
Had to go on the website just to see and yea it clearly states to send it to sligo!!!
Maybe it differs from each county?? me->kerry
I don't know, its bloody ridiculous!!!! Hopefully il have some answers tomor:)

paperclip2

araic26 wrote: »

HMMMMMMMMMMM interesting point!!
Had to go on the website just to see and yea it clearly states to send it to sligo!!!
Maybe it differs from each county?? me->kerry
I don't know, its bloody ridiculous!!!! Hopefully il have some answers tomor:)

The standard of info provision in some local DSP offices is dire tbh. I have had to explain the rules of the scheme to some DSP staff for God's sake. I've also had to chase them up to correct things on the DSP website regarding the BTEA!:rolleyes:

If you are trying to find out what rules apply in your case the best thing to do is to check the scenario with multiple info points. For BTEA queries i use CIC, the BTEA dept in Carrick-on-Shannon and a DSP Job Facilitator. Also the Dept of Ed's financial policy unit in Tullamore has a complete list of all the scenarios regarding the BTEA and Grant and who can claim what. But Sassypsych is 100% correct that you can get the grant provided you are in receipt of OPFP prior to returning to education. The reason being that your OPFP remains the same payment but has a BTEA admin code attached to it to show you are in education, as I understand it. Anyway best of luck Araic26.

sassypsych

Just to confirm I have been in contact again with OPFP department today and they confirmed with me that returning to education does NOT affect your OPFP and that you do NOT have to go over to BTEA if you do not wish and that you are only not entitled to the maintenance grant if you on BTEA. He even sent me an e-mail to confirm it so I have it writing.

I think it is terrible that you can get so much conflicting information dependant on where you go to ask. The county council getting it wrong it one thing but the Social Welfare office not knowing is a disgrace.

I hope you get it sorted araic. Best of luck.

lilylarkin

Does anyone know how long it takes to get the BTEA application processed? Mine is gone to Tullamore since 2 weeks ago.

araic26

Right folks got some answers in regards to OPFP, BTEA and grant.

Ye were right!!!!:D

Sent an e-mail to OPF section in sligo and went in person to grant section in my local county council and went to my local SW office(which only got the information yesterday!!!).

Those on OPFP do not have to apply for BTEA instead can keep their OPFP and also receive the grant(if they are eligible for it of course).
You can of course apply for BTEA if you wish, and in that case you will only get one or the other,BTEA or grant.

Would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to Paperclip and sassypysch for opening my eyes!!!!:D:D:D

Just cancelled my BTEA this morning:)

Casper Gomez

I'm confirmed for Griffith College which doesn't accept the maintenance grant but does accept the BTEA. Does anyone know, with Griffith being private, is its possible to get your fees paid if you are unemployed, over 23 and after receiving statutory redundancy?
Thanks

lilylarkin

Hi Casper, im confused about your statement that the College 'dont accept' the maintenance grant. The colleges dont actually accept anything, you do. ie if you qualify for the BTEA the college dont know anything about that or have any involvement in the process, except to confirm your registration. Same applies for the maintenance grant.

If you qualify for the BTEA then the VEC would need to pay your fees. As far as I know they are the only awarding body that pay fees. Surely it isnt up to the College to decide from whom it will accept fee payment.

Did you mean that Griffith College courses dont qualify as a College accepted by the VEC?

sassypsych

Araic26 I am so glad you got it all sorted

superbad50

i spoke with a welfare officer and she told me you can get both , although the cuts were made in the budget , they have not been passed so therefore you can get both.

Casper Gomez

lilylarkin wrote: »

Hi Casper, im confused about your statement that the College 'dont accept' the maintenance grant. The colleges dont actually accept anything, you do. ie if you qualify for the BTEA the college dont know anything about that or have any involvement in the process, except to confirm your registration. Same applies for the maintenance grant.

If you qualify for the BTEA then the VEC would need to pay your fees. As far as I know they are the only awarding body that pay fees. Surely it isnt up to the College to decide from whom it will accept fee payment.

Did you mean that Griffith College courses dont qualify as a College accepted by the VEC?

Sorry Lilly, bad choice of words. What I was meant to say is that Grittith only qualify for the BTEA.

lilylarkin

Thats a pity Jasper. I dont suppose you asked the College if there was another way to get fees paid?

Unfortunately BTEA wont pay the fees although they do give a €500 on off payment at the start of the academic year. Perhaps that would go some way towards the fees?

Best of luck with it I hope you can avail of the opportunity to take up the course.

Casper Gomez

lilylarkin wrote: »

Thats a pity Jasper. I dont suppose you asked the College if there was another way to get fees paid?

Unfortunately BTEA wont pay the fees although they do give a €500 on off payment at the start of the academic year. Perhaps that would go some way towards the fees?

Best of luck with it I hope you can avail of the opportunity to take up the course.

It what I'm looking into at the moment. Fingers crossed and like I said, I'm over 23, recently made redundant but on full benefit so hopefully there will be a way of getting fees paid as its 6k a year:eek:

Casper Gomez

Casper Gomez wrote: »

It what I'm looking into at the moment. Fingers crossed and like I said, I'm over 23, recently made redundant but on full benefit so hopefully there will be a way of getting fees paid as its 6k a year:eek:

Jesus 6k??? Is that for every college? IT's and Universities?

rlow68

Casper Gomez wrote: »

It what I'm looking into at the moment. Fingers crossed and like I said, I'm over 23, recently made redundant but on full benefit so hopefully there will be a way of getting fees paid as its 6k a year:eek:

Because Grifitth is not Government funded, you cant get the school fees paid. School fees is only paid for Government fund colleges.

Casper Gomez

Deleted User wrote: »

Jesus 6k??? Is that for every college? IT's and Universities?

With Griffith anyway. Its a 1 year, level 7 diploma with the option to follow up with a 3 year BA and the 6k is for the first year. I don't have many options as the competition for places is mad in DIT and IADT which I didn't get.

rlow68

Casper Gomez wrote: »

I'm confirmed for Griffith College which doesn't accept the maintenance grant but does accept the BTEA. Does anyone know, with Griffith being private, is its possible to get your fees paid if you are unemployed, over 23 and after receiving statutory redundancy?
Thanks

Are you sure Griffith is accepted for BTEA, as I definitely know that private colleges are not accepted for grants/maintenance assistance but I m not sure about the BTEA

Casper Gomez

rlow68 wrote: »

Are you sure Griffith is accepted for BTEA, as I definitely know that private colleges are not accepted for grants/maintenance assistance but I m not sure about the BTEA

Yea, I was told at their open day and its on their website too.

Students may also avail of some (but not all) government maintenance assistance such as the Back to Education Allowance, details of which can be found on http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7237/back-to-education-allowance/index.html

http://www.gcd.ie/maturestudents/

fionav3

Deleted User wrote: »

Jesus 6k??? Is that for every college? IT's and Universities?

Can be. I'm going back studying psychology in UL, and the fees for that are €7334 per year. Eye popping, isn't it? :rolleyes:

fionav3

fionav3 wrote: »

Can be. I'm going back studying psychology in UL, and the fees for that are €7334 per year. Eye popping, isn't it? :rolleyes:

this country is totally gone wrong! :mad:

bigchief

Hi everyone,

Sorry to highack the thread but I have a question. I have been accepted for a four year degree in UL, have been unemployed over a year and I have applied for BTEA. I am currently receiving Rent Allowance where I am living (co galway) but as I will have to move, I would need to re-apply for it according to my current CWO. Is there anyone out there who had to move to start college again on BTEA and who got Rent Allowance? I am just getting a bit nervous as I found a little cottage outside the city which takes rent allowance but I would not be able to afford it without the rent allowance. So I dont want to sign a lease for 6 months, be refused rent allowance and then have to move again to a shared house, I'd rather make the right choice straight away.

Thanks

BroFlo

i am in the same situation, but i am only on rent allowance 2 months and i have been told i will still be able to keep my rent allowance with my BTEA

From what I know is you go to the Social welfare in limerick and tell them and they will request your files from Galway to be sent down and you also go to the SW officer in limerick and tell him you have moved.

Hope that helps

bigchief

Hey BroFlo,

thanks for the reply. I am just very concerned as I am sharing a house at the minute and the cottage I want to rent in limerick I would rent on my own so the amount of rent allowance would considerably change. Then again I could be just a bit paranoid but I would hate to find myself stuck with no money and no accommodation, it could cause a few problems
It is a gamble I suppose but I wonder would I not be safer just sharing a house with other people and forgetting about the rent allowance?