Grant? D:

LadyGaga!

Just called my grant applications office today asking them when I should receive a letter telling me I've been approved (I'm certain I will be) and they said that they "only started processing them lately" and that I will "receive the letter in a few months" as they're "understaffed and are working through them on a first come first served basis".

I was hoping the letter would come before registration so that I could just give it to them, let them make a copy and keep it on file as everyone has said happens but it looks like I'll have to pay the €1,500 upfront even though I can't afford to.

Is anyone else in the same situation? Has anyone received a giro yet either?

dan719

Get on to your county council again. There is no way that applications should only recently have started been processed. As for the registration fee....I think you have to pay it. I do know that there were discussions last year to make allowances for people waiting on grants but I never heard anymore. Ring the fees office for more advice.

almostnever

I'm in exactly the same position, so you're not alone! I'm going to ring the council tomorrow and if they can't give me anymore information I'll go up in person. Also need a bank giro to pay the outstanding 85 euro. Which council are you dealing with? I hope we both get something resembling confirmation soon.

kiddykat

My county council is the same, i rang up the other day and was told the same as you. But i rang the fees office last week and i was told to avoid paying the 1500 and just send them the GF1 form.

LadyGaga!

dan719 wrote: »

Get on to your county council again. There is no way that applications should only recently have started been processed. As for the registration fee....I think you have to pay it. I do know that there were discussions last year to make allowances for people waiting on grants but I never heard anymore. Ring the fees office for more advice.

Thanks, will ring them again tomorrow and I'll give the fees office a call too.

almostnever wrote: »

I'm in exactly the same position, so you're not alone! I'm going to ring the council tomorrow and if they can't give me anymore information I'll go up in person. Also need a bank giro to pay the outstanding 85 euro. Which council are you dealing with? I hope we both get something resembling confirmation soon.

Yeah, I think me and you are in the same position for the whole thing! I'll message you with my council, really don't want it to be public on Boards! I hope so too, the stress!

kiddykat wrote: »

My county council is the same, i rang up the other day and was told the same as you. But i rang the fees office last week and i was told to avoid paying the 1500 and just send them the GF1 form.

I sent in the GF1 form already, I'm just worried about either paying it and having to get a loan or showing up at registration with it not paid :eek: I'm gonna give the fees office a ring

leah24

hey
Im in the same position. i just sent back the gr1 and fr1 forms. i am 100% sure im entitled to my college fees being paid. so i just paid the €85. they have to wait until we hear back about the grant i wouldnt say many people have heard back yet. I gave them my form in the middle of July.
Its so ridiculous they should process them earlier in order to have letters to people before they start college!!!!

LadyGaga!

leah24 wrote: »

They should process them earlier in order to have letters to people before they start college!!!!

I know, my face actually went like this when she said that they just started processing them last week. I was shocked, I was almost like, did you not know you were going to get so many??

Saturn8u

kiddykat wrote: »

My county council is the same, i rang up the other day and was told the same as you. But i rang the fees office last week and i was told to avoid paying the 1500 and just send them the GF1 form.

When I went up to the fees office with the GF1 form, I was told the same thing. Registration shouldn't be a problem once they have the GF1 form. Hope they're right.

kiddykat

Saturn8u wrote: »

When I went up to the fees office with the GF1 form, I was told the same thing. Registration shouldn't be a problem once they have the GF1 form. Hope they're right.

Me too cause technically if you arn't registered you're not a student and you won't get a student card and stuff so that would seriously suck like. The lady i was talking to in the grant office told me that they were talking to the colleges and that they weren't going to turn anybody away but you wouldn't really know what to think with them like, thet're probably jst sick of talking to people.

kiddykat

leah24 wrote: »

hey
Im in the same position. i just sent back the gr1 and fr1 forms. i am 100% sure im entitled to my college fees being paid. so i just paid the €85. they have to wait until we hear back about the grant i wouldnt say many people have heard back yet. I gave them my form in the middle of July.
Its so ridiculous they should process them earlier in order to have letters to people before they start college!!!!

Hey how did you just pay the 85? I haven't gotten my giro yet and epay isn't giving mr the option to just pay the 85

Groinshot

kiddykat wrote: »

Hey how did you just pay the 85? I haven't gotten my giro yet and epay isn't giving mr the option to just pay the 85

ON the epay there's a button to pay a different amount.