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Turned down for grant - not buying the reason they gave me, any help?

  • 18-11-2010 10:13pm
    #1
    CR24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭


    I've been notified by the VEC that they've refused my grant application - the reason they gave me is that I have applied for/am entitled to VTOS or BTEA.

    I haven't applied for either of these, and while technically I'm entitled to them, I wouldn't get VTOS now, (as I understand it there are only a few places allocated to my college and the VEC left me waiting so long that they'll all be gone now - I applied early when I was doing a course before and even then the places were gone).

    BTEA would only give me the exact same weekly amount as the payment I am on so it's not much use to me... my situation is I'm a mature student on OPFP and no other income, not living with parents, living alone with my child. I have no savings, literally nothing put by for xmas and falling behind with rent and bills at this stage. Can they do this - is there anything I can do? Any advice would be very welcome - thanks in advance.


Comments

  • #2
    Cat Melodeon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,617 ✭✭✭Cat Melodeon


    They changed the rules recently so that you only avail of one type of payment. If you are eligible for BTEA, you will not get a grant. You might be able to get the Cost of Education Allowance (€500) and can apply to have the student services charge and any tuition fees payable for the course paid on your behalf by the VEC. You can also apply for your college's student assistance fund and see if they have free childcare places for one-parent families. You should contact your Student Welfare Officer and maybe the head of your course to see if they can offer you any help.
    http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7928/back-to-education-allowance/index.html


  • #3
    CR24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭CR24


    Thanks for your reply Cat Melodeon. There are some people on my course who got the grant approved despite being eligible for the other payments though, not sure why that is? My problem is that the BTEA is essentially the same amount as whatever payment you're already on, they just change the name. I'm finding it impossible to make ends meet on what I'm getting, even a little extra every week would make all the difference.


  • #4
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    but you get more on BTEA then the grant

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #5
    CR24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭CR24


    The way it was before, I retained the OPFP and got the grant as well. Now, despite all the talk of people only being eligible for one or the other, there are several people I've spoken to who have been awarded the grant and still retained OPFP, that's why I'm confused. Would I be wasting my time trying to submit an appeal?


  • #6
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    do you not keep the OPFP if you get BTEA? I know you can keep some social welfare payments,
    No I don't think you're wasting your time appealing but I think BTEA and the grant to pay your fees may be a better option because I think you can keep social welfare benefits

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



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  • #7
    ninty9er
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,366 ✭✭✭ninty9er


    The difference could be in relation to your age. Under 23s on OPFP will be assessed as dependent for the grant, as well as not being entitled (in most cases) to another payment that would be equivalent of BTEA.

    Sounds like it's worth appealing, but BTEA is not a statutory payment so you will only get a review and not an official appeal as only decisions on statutory payments can be appealed.


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