2010/11 Grant. Refused/Accepted/Not Heard Back?

KindaMaybYesBye

A similar thread was running last year just so people can get an idea how their relevant grant authorities are in getting back to people about their grant.

I'm Dublin VEC and haven't heard anything yet but have received confirmation that they received it two weeks ago. Anyone got any idea how long I'll be waiting?

So where did you apply and what stage are they at so far in dealing with your?

rhondadunphy

I applied in early july and 2 weeks later got an e-mail and text to say my application was registered, then a week later they sent me a letter asking for proof of who was going to college in my house, now I only live with my 12 yr old daugher so I rang them, they then said the letter was an error but they needed more proof of my 3 yrs out of 5yrs living in Ireland which I already did when I bought my application in person to their offices in july, so I've now giving them a total of 5 years proof, I've rang about 10 times, sent e-mails and they can't tell me anything about my application. I would mind my friend applied to the same County Dublin VEC 3 weeks after me and got her confirmation on Monday to say her grant was approved.
I really dont know what their playing at luckily my college is very understanding with regards to fee's so that as put my mind at ease slightly.

beamer-89

I got a letter from Co. Cork VEC on 12th August saying they received my application. Still waiting to hear back, hope it soon though cause registration fees are due....

sassypsych

NorthTipp for me and they confirmed they got my application 8 weeks ago but I could be waiting for a good bit yet, they won't give out any dates they just say they are being processed.

candy19

I got my letter there on Thursday morning, just to get it stamped by college next week! So happy days...

It beats waiting until Feburary like we did last year:eek:

Maniacle

candy19 wrote: »

I got my letter there on Thursday morning, just to get it stamped by college next week! So happy days...

It beats waiting until Feburary like we did last year:eek:

I know ye!
Last year was a joke...
This year I sent my application in in like July...
and I got my confirmation letter and everything by August. Happy Days
Have a friend who didnt get his grant last year until the year was over :eek::eek::eek:
I didnt get mine last year till the beginning of December


*Note: I'm with Kildare County Council

fds

I applied in June to Dun Laoghaire VEC.

I called in late July for an update as I hadn't heard a peep from them. They couldn't find my application, told me it had probably been sent to the Co.Co. instead.

Called the Co.Co. they had no record of it.

The VEC found it in early August and forwarded it to the Co.Co. as I was applying for a Masters and apparently the Co.Co. looks after level 9 and 10.

The Co.Co. wrote in late August requesting a few more forms.

I got the approval letter last week.



It only took 3 months!

Cyclonius

Cavan Co Council here. I applied in early August. I was on the phone to them today, and was told they hadn't looked at it yet. To be fair they were quite friendly and helpful.

JenniFurr

I applied to Waterford City VEC in mid/late June. I received confirmation last week sometime. Last year was a nightmare. I didn't get confirmation until late January and didn't get payment until late March. This year I have to say that my local VEC were nothing but lovely, polite, quick and very helpful with info.

Chris007

I'm dealing with Fingal Coco, recieved my letter saying i've been accepted for the grant. I applied very early, as soon as the application process was open this year

imissmyboo

has anybody heard from limerick co.co? i got a letter from them last year sayin they received my application evn though i have it sent in since the day after the forms were released!!

Joseph

Chris007 wrote: »

I'm dealing with Fingal Coco, recieved my letter saying i've been accepted for the grant. I applied very early, as soon as the application process was open this year

Besides the letter confirming you were getting a grant, did you get any other letters? e.g. to say they had recieved it?

Couple other questions: on the requirement for the special rate of having a social welfare paypment is that for the candidate or the parent/guardian? And for the adjancent / non adjancent is the 24km limit as the crow flies or travel distance and are they really strict on exact distance?

Maniacle

Deaddude wrote: »

Besides the letter confirming you were getting a grant, did you get any other letters? e.g. to say they had recieved it?

Couple other questions: on the requirement for the special rate of having a social welfare paypment is that for the candidate or the parent/guardian? And for the adjancent / non adjancent is the 24km limit as the crow flies or travel distance and are they really strict on exact distance?

They EXTREMELY strict on the adjacent/non adjacent rule. They go for exact distance. I apparently live 24.4 km away from my college so I got the non adjecant grant and my friend lives literally a five minute walk down from me and she got the adjacent grant as she live 23.8 km away from college :rolleyes:
We both got to the same college.

diocane

beamer-89 wrote: »

I got a letter from Co. Cork VEC on 12th August saying they received my application. Still waiting to hear back, hope it soon though cause registration fees are due....

make a call to VEC and ask about your registration number they sent (application number) to you and you will find updated info about your situation. Good luck

Joseph

Maniacle wrote: »

They EXTREMELY strict on the adjacent/non adjacent rule. They go for exact distance. I apparently live 24.4 km away from my college so I got the non adjecant grant and my friend lives literally a five minute walk down from me and she got the adjacent grant as she live 23.8 km away from college :rolleyes:
We both got to the same college.

Do they calculate the distance as the crow flies?

diocane

Deaddude wrote: »

Do they calculate the distance as the crow flies?

They calculate the distance about the bus route (or options) you have to go to your college. (so maybe you are right in some way )

Geansai Rua

Wicklow Co.Co anyone?
I had a confirmation letter by this time last year...
Funds are starting to run low

Hannibal6.0

South dublin are a joke, handed them all the information they need to measure familys income but are asking for irrelevant forms that they know cant be got, I applied at the end of june and they only got back to me two weeks ago to tell me all this.

Joseph

Just off the phone with Fingal COCO Grants - they're still assessing the JUNE applications..

Pigwidgeon

Rang Wicklow CoCo last week, managed to get them to send a confirmation letter, was told that because it's a renewal, if there's been no major change in circumstances then there's no reason I won't get the grant.

Annasopra

Wicklow county council are the slowest in the country at paying and are very short staffed

beamer-89

I've tried ring and emailing Co Cork VEC a few times now about the status of my grant with no reply or phone picked up. Spent bout 6 euro in credit just listening to their phone system tell me there's no one available to take my call!

Anyone else had any luck in getting in touch with them at all?

littlefriend

I got a letter from Wicklow Co Council today confirming I'm getting full grant of 6335. Yay!! I submitted my application around a week before the deadline for renewal of applications [can't remember when that was].

donfarrell

i got a letter about a week ago from dublin Co council saying that they have moved application to balsbridge vec on another note, I know your fee's get paid but do ya get any other income aswell?

Geansai Rua

kateos2 wrote: »

Rang Wicklow CoCo last week, managed to get them to send a confirmation letter, was told that because it's a renewal, if there's been no major change in circumstances then there's no reason I won't get the grant.

Still havent heard anything myself..
I dont see how there could be such a delay when I am also getting a renewal grant and there is no change of circumstances..
My car is in need of a bit of fixing and I cant afford it till I get that grant!

magicface1

Hi Guys,

I received a letter today stating that I have to send back 3 parts of info I missed no 1: proof of address but I sent a bank statement with my address as it says on the guidance notes on page 4 at the bottom of the page where its says Documentary evidence for an independent mature student: It says 'you will need to provide evidence of where you were living from the 1st of October 2009. Generally this will include:
* utility bill, such as telephone, gas or electricity.
* registration with the PRTB
* Document received, for example, bank statement, correspondence from government department.
I moved to Dublin the start of September and they say they want a utility bill and at the time I hadn't changed my name on bill as landlord still has name on that, I am just wondering if I swear an affidavit with a peace commissioner would that do.

2: Parents name and address in writing as at 1 October 2009. (I am a independent mature student do I still have to sent this information?)

3. Proof of residence in the state for at least 3 out of the 5 years (I have 3 p21's is that ok)

Sorry about bombarding you with all this. I'm on the back to education and that has been granted thankfully but been held up with this. Any advise would be great thanks.

Jenroche

Applied to Dublin City Council for my son. Refused due to income levels being exceeded. Any point in appealing?

Jen ;->

Joseph

Jenroche wrote: »

Applied to Dublin City Council for my son. Refused due to income levels being exceeded. Any point in appealing?

Jen ;->

Not really, if you're over you're over

RoyalMarine

Jenroche wrote: »

Applied to Dublin City Council for my son. Refused due to income levels being exceeded. Any point in appealing?

Jen ;->

well it depends on how much you are over the limit by. if its several hundred / thousand then im afraid it would be pointless appealing it.

but if its say 150 euro etc over, then you might have a good chance in appealing it.

TPD

I got the Electronic Fund Transfer form stamped by the college and bank, and sent back to the VEC. According to a letter, the money will be paid as soon as they recieve proof I've registered. Does that mean I should be watching my bank account like a hawk from now on?

From my usual dealings with the VEC, this year seems too easy.

toetatoe

Rang Clare Co Co today for an update. I had to submit a second application in late August as they supposedly never received my original application, though I find this unlikely. Anyway, I was told they are around the 200 mark, and will not be processing later applications for quite a few weeks... couldn't be more specific than that.

Pigwidgeon

I heard back from Wicklow CoCo, got approved.
The odd part though, I got the adjacent rate, while last year I got non- adjacent. So I'm apparently only getting €1300 this year. This isn't good seeing as half of that at least will be spent on bus tickets. Getting back onto them tomorrow to see what the hell the difference is, pretty sure my house hasn't moved in the last year!

cailinban

Has anyone heard back from Fingal Co. Co. yet? Only waiting on a renewal. It's been a good while, I don't want to ring again.. I'm afraid any time I call that they deliberately process my application last!

Joseph

cailinban wrote: »

Has anyone heard back from Fingal Co. Co. yet? Only waiting on a renewal. It's been a good while, I don't want to ring again.. I'm afraid any time I call that they deliberately process my application last!

Haven't heard anything yet, rang last week (they should have sent me a letter confirming they recieved my application - never did) and was told they are only processing JUNE applications at the moment... so it might be awhile...

TPD

I rang today (Donegal VEC) and they said I'm on the first list of names to recieve the grant, which should be sometime in october. And I'm to ring back in a fortnight if I don't hear anything. It was a bit misleading telling us the money would be released as soon as they recieved confirmation, but hey ho.

cailinban

Deaddude wrote: »

Haven't heard anything yet, rang last week (they should have sent me a letter confirming they recieved my application - never did) and was told they are only processing JUNE applications at the moment... so it might be awhile...

I was dead set on this grant cause it came in every october of the past three years so I didn't see why it'd take ages this year (I do now though!) My job is gone now cause I told them I'd be getting a grant and doing final year so.... I've 300 euro to tide me over before I go crying to them begging for acceptance!

bigwormbundoran

On Monday both my brother and my sister got their grants confirmed from the Donegal VEC, however, my brother was approved for the full grant with the top up, whilst my sister was approved for the full grant minus the top up, despite an identical application to my brothers.

The mother contacted the VEC on Tuesday to get the sit rep with regards to the sisters as well as to how my application was doing, she was informed that it was somehow correct and that i was only going to get the full minus the top up also, the mother demanded they go through the applications again as it made no sense that out of three isentical applications only one was eligible for the top up, they said they would and would ring back the next day.

Suprise suprise, no call the next day, the mother then contacted the following day when, low and behold, she was informed we were all going to be getting the top up (i have gotten it the last 3 years anyway, but had to do a full reappliction because my 4th year is an add on) and that the orignal letter sent to my sister and the one for me which is apparently in the post, should be ignored and the new ones should be in the door on Monday, thanks be to Jayzus.

This all leads me to think about how many people must be missing out on money which they are enitled to due to these peoples incompetence at their job, as well as one owns lack of knowledge on what they may recevie or their timidity with posing objections (no problem there with my mother i'll tell ya)

bigchief

Hi,

Applied for grant late July, they wrote to me about the middle of August saying I had to get them a P21 which I did send straight out. Hadn't heard from them since so called yesterday and I was told by County Council that they had no record of me, then rang the VEC and they told me they had not even started processing the application and that I would hear from them 'fairly soon'... In fairness to her she was very nice about it but that's not what I wanted to hear at all. First time applying so I didn't have a clue what to do and had been advised to send in application even if incomplete as it would be stamped with the date and I wouldn't lose out. The person who said that to me sent in her application later than I did and already heard back that she was approved!:mad:
Am I missing something?

Annasopra

kateos2 wrote: »

I heard back from Wicklow CoCo, got approved.
The odd part though, I got the adjacent rate, while last year I got non- adjacent. So I'm apparently only getting 1300 this year. This isn't good seeing as half of that at least will be spent on bus tickets. Getting back onto them tomorrow to see what the hell the difference is, pretty sure my house hasn't moved in the last year!

you can appeal it

Pigwidgeon

Johnnymcg wrote: »

you can appeal it

Already done, heard back yesterday and they're changing it to non-adjacent

IMC042

Moved from a PLC course into a third level course this year and spent the summer under the assumption that the renewal form was all i had to fill out only to find out in August that i had to submit a whole new application!!!! :mad:

WRITE THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE RENEWAL FORM YOU INCOMPETENT SHOWER OF B****RDS!!

Received acknowledgement and waiting for approval likely till Feb 2011!
God im sick of Irish Govt Organisations and their f*****g backlogs.

TheReverend

Still waiting to hear from Wicklow VEC, they received my application on the 17th of August, still waiting to hear back

a1000pigeons

Anyone know anything about kilkenny co co. Got it last year just wondering when?

Capricorn1

I am hoping someone can give me some advice here.

I applied for the maintenance grant during the summer and received a letter stating that my application had been refused based on the fact that I had not been in the country 3 years out of the previous 5 years.

I am Irish and went backpacking to Australia in December 2005, I returned in April 2008. I came home twice during those years, once in 2006 for 2 months and again in 2007 for 3 months. When I explained this to the grants department they said if I could provide proof of this then my application would be approved.

Unfortunately I no longer have the passport with the stamps on them as I had to renew my passport in August 2008. I no longer have a paper trail for flights etc. When I came home I did not sign on becuase the first time I was waiting to hear back from the visa department about my returning to Australia plus I had money from working in Australia. The second time I didnt sign on because I was working as a child minder pay in hand. I didnt use a bank account while home and I had no bills in my name. I was living with my parents who have typed up a letter stating I was home and living with them plus the woman I child minded for has also done up a letter. I have been told that this most likely will not be enough information.

I'm receiving backto education allowance so all I want the grant for is to cover my registration, but I recently discovered that if you havent been in the country 3 years out of the previous 5 then I also have to pay the 2300 euro fees, although I have been in the country for the specified time I am now concerned that the college will also request the fees if the grant refuses my application again.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

IMC042

Rang today (County Cork VEC) and was told they will be sending out letters to all applicants within 2 weeks - i dont believe a word of it!

Geansai Rua

Got my grant letter today from Wicklow CO.CO!
Getting 6355..
Yay.
cant wait to get my first payment cos I am seriously broke

TheReverend

Geansai Rua wrote:

Rang today (County Cork VEC) and was told they will be sending out letters to all applicants within 2 weeks - i dont believe a word of it!

I am waiting from wicklow co.co aswell, what date did you apply

IMC042

Geansai Rua wrote: »

Got my grant letter today from Wicklow CO.CO!
Getting 6355..
Yay.
cant wait to get my first payment cos I am seriously broke

Lucky you! I should be getting 6355 aswell, can i ask you when you sent the application into them ? I sent mine in the 3rd week of August.

beamer-89

Rang today (County Cork VEC) and was told they will be sending out letters to all applicants within 2 weeks - i dont believe a word of it!

They pretty much said the same thing to me when i rang a while back. Hopefully they will let people know in the next few weeks but i can't say i believe them either!

IMC042

I really need the money like, im 5,000 in debt and i want to buy an Audi, lol

Joseph

IMC042 wrote: »

I really need the money like, im 5,000 in debt and i want to buy an Audi, lol

Great use of state funds :rolleyes: