How do students have a life?

SaucyB

Hey,

I live in dundalk and im after going into first year of video and film in Dundalk college. I was on social welfare of 196 a week and now ive dropped to 144 a month for a grant.

My Mam doesn't take in enough money to help me out as i have a younger sister and brother aswel.

My questions is how do students survive on this and not get depressed? I dont mind not going mad partying but to at least go out once a week would have been nice.

I can't get work anywhere at all and to be honest a big part of me is telling me to drop out because im not sure i can live on 144 a month which is basically 36 euro a week.

any advice from anyone?

I've applied for st vincent the paul fund, partnership fund and currently applying for student hardship fund.

RoyalMarine

why were you only given €36 per week? did you not qualify for the full non adjacent grant + top up?

how long were you on social welfare before going to college?

If it were for 8+ months, you might be elligable for back to education allowance, which is 196 per week.

If you were on social welfare for this lenght of time, then make an appointment to see the facilitator in the social welfare office, and discuss BTEA with him/her.

No way in hell could i live on €36 per week, it wouldn't even pay for food!

SaucyB

i got the 1300 grant because i live in dundalk and go to college in dundalk they said i nly get the higher grant if im travelling somewhere. can i appeal this or do anything do you know? 1300 for the year works out as 144 per month which is 36 a week.

i was nly on social welfare for a few months i don't qualify for BTEA, i stayed on the dole for a few weeks to help me get started in college but i have to sign on this week incase i get in trouble yano. but how they expect me to sruvive on 36 a week is crazy especially since they know my mother doesnt take in enough money to support me.

i cant even drop out of college now because if i did i would not get social welfare for dropping out (not that i want to drop out its just not sure if i can have a life with this money)

inbits

Is your Mom on a social welfare payment? If so, you maybe entitled to the top up grant €1,330 + top-up =€2,545.Also retail shops take on staff for Christmas work ,try Marshes etc

JenniFurr

I know what it's like to live on practically nothing. I lived and went to college in Dundalk in 2008/09. I received no grant and didn't live with my parents so I really struggled. I'm still struggling now, even more so. I transfered to 2nd year in DIT and I've just started my 3rd. I roughly get €350 a month from my grant this time around but that just pays rent and bills.

Right now I do everything to save money, especially since my budget for the next few weeks is €0. I walk to college because I can't afford to take the bus, which is about an hour and a half walk. Before anyone gets the violin out for me I'll add that if you just get used to the situation it's not that bad. This has all taught me how to budget.

I won't lie though it's pretty tough when you see everyone else in your class going out all the time. Most of the people I'm in college with have enough cash to do as they please. There have been many situations when I've had to decline invitations to go out. They seem to think when I say I have no money that it means that I only have a little and then I have to explain that I literally have no money at all. Telling people about my money woes is the worst part of it all.

Also forget the above post. Don't work in the Marshes. I did that once and I may have had more money in my pocket but I'd honestly rather change old peoples nappies than work there again.

This post may not have gone anywhere but I know where you're coming from. I think about leaving all the time but you can do two things;
1. Get annoyed and depressed about it all or
2. Make sure it's all worth it by doing your absolute best in college.

With all the free time I have because I don't have money to do anything with I at least try to fit in some college work every day even if it's just half an hour. I do get down about it sometimes but when I get back a result and it's fairly high I realise why it's all worth it. And when I do get the odd chance to go out I really make the most of it.

Celtise

RoyalMarineComm wrote: »

No way in hell could i live on €36 per week, it wouldn't even pay for food!

As someone who is living on scraps this year, so far €36 of food could do me for at least two weeks if not a bit more. As time goes on it gets easier.

RoyalMarine

Celtise wrote: »

As someone who is living on scraps this year, so far €36 of food could do me for at least two weeks if not a bit more. As time goes on it gets easier.

i couldnt do it personally. then again, i have a 6 year old son, so there are 2 of us to feed.