how much exactly will the grant be cut by ?

bazzare

does anybody know for sure, have the government even said yet, i heard on the news it will be cut but they havent said by how much

some people say it will be reduced by the same % that the dole will be cut, in which case thats 5 % less.

will this come into effect in january when we are due to receive the 2nd installment.

replies appreciated.

Annasopra

noone knows yet

ninty9er

bazzare wrote: »

will this come into effect in january when we are due to receive the 2nd installment.

Yes

cullen5998

5% from what the media said.
Same as last year

Annasopra

ninty9er wrote: »

Yes

How do you know?

daenerysstormborn3

To be honest I doubt they will bring it in mid-term as such, it will most likely come into effect next september, the same if any cuts are made to the BTEA but i would hope that changes to BTEA will only effect new applicants as it's very unfair to have people already gone back to education having to then drop out without any qualification because they can't afford it anymore.

snubbleste

pixiebean22 wrote: »

To be honest I doubt they will bring it in mid-term as such, it will most likely come into effect next september, the same if any cuts are made to the BTEA but i would hope that changes to BTEA will only effect new applicants as it's very unfair to have people already gone back to education having to then drop out without any qualification because they can't afford it anymore.

Why would you doubt it would be implemented mid-course?
It was cut in the December budget last year and came into effect in January

If the dole rate is cut in the forthcoming budget, the btea will also be cut along with it

daenerysstormborn3

snubbleste wrote: »

Why would you doubt it would be implemented mid-course?
It was cut in the December budget last year and came into effect in January

If the dole rate is cut in the forthcoming budget, the btea will also be cut along with it

I guess it's not so much doubt as hope:(

Basing my info on the fact that my bf's grant wasn't cut mid-term last year and neither was the grant of anyone he's in college with but some did lose their grants and have grants cut come september of this year.

ninty9er

Johnnymcg wrote: »

How do you know?

I've never known a budget measure to be delayed 10 months.

bkelly86

the distance to qualify for the non adjacent rate has been increased to 45km so thats my grant more than halved and i'm sure a lot more people.

ontour

That 45 km is that each way or return Im 26 km away from college gutted if its each way. is this for people already in college

will this still hold?
If you qualify for any of the grants in Levels 2 to 6 above and you are a mature candidate, you will automatically be entitled to the non-adjacent rate. The entitlement to the non-adjacent rate applies regardless of how far your college is from your normal residence and whether or not you are dependent on or independent of parent(s) or guardian(s

vectra

My sone live 44 kilometres from his college... Bloody hell :eek:
Do you think they would knock him for one kilometre??

Davidson2k9

vectra wrote: »

My sone live 44 kilometres from his college... Bloody hell :eek:
Do you think they would knock him for one kilometre??

They'll use anything to not give him the extra money.
There's probably alot of people who are one km short, they cant give in to everyone.

Aldebaran

Does anyone have an idea how they calculate the distance? Is it the distance you travel to the college every day? Or is it the case of extending a radius of 45km outward from the college and anyone caught in that circle receives the adjacent rate?

Also, any word on whether it comes into effect immediately or next September?

ontour

Is it one way?

Kinski

ontour wrote: »

will this still hold?
If you qualify for any of the grants in Levels 2 to 6 above and you are a mature candidate, you will automatically be entitled to the non-adjacent rate. The entitlement to the non-adjacent rate applies regardless of how far your college is from your normal residence and whether or not you are dependent on or independent of parent(s) or guardian(s

Unlikely, they say they will "limit mature students benefits to those payable to ordinary students".

bkelly86

Changing the qualifying distance criterion for entitlement to the higher nonadjacent rate of grant (distance from home to the higher education institution) from
15 miles (24 kilometres) to 28 miles (45 kilometres). The original distance
criterion was set in 1968, before the significant improvement in transport facilities
and road networks which has taken place. This measure will yield €10 million of
savings in 2011 (€30 million in 2014);

From this i presume its the distance from where you say you live on the grant application to the college. Cant find any info on when it comes into effect or if it only applies to new students from september.
Heres a link to all the cuts in education. http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/pr_budget_education_2011.pdf

challengemaster

New rates

Non-adjacent rates
NA1 grant cut €130 (€3120)
NA2(75%) grant cut €97.4 (€2337.6)
NA3(50%) grant cut €65 (€1560)
NA4(25%) grant cut €32.4 (€777.6)

Adjacent rates
A1 grant cut €52 (€1248)
A2(75%) grant cut €39.2 (€950.8)
A3(50%) grant cut €26 (€624)
A4(25%) grant cut €13.2 (€316.8)

Justin10

I get my fees and a grant of about 1200 cant think of it exactly. Does my higher education grant cover this still?? Is my fees still covered?

Davidson2k9

****

daenerysstormborn3

Could they have been a bit more vague??? Does anyone have any info on when all the student cuts will be imposed?

ranopano

The 4% cut will be imposed from January. The higher fees come in from 2011/2012. If you were getting your fees paid you still will be. I'm not sure about the non-adjacent thing for current students. I don't think anybody knows. I asked in the politics forum anyway.

daenerysstormborn3

Thanks ranopano.

Any ideas on the BTEA? I've just read that if you get grant you won't get BTEA, is this true and if so, is this being brought in with immediate effect or will it effect new students only in sept?

ninty9er

The BTEA and grant hasn't been available to new entrants since September. It's putting all on an equal footing.

Given that the savings on the maintenance grant are €22m for 2011 and €55m in a full year I would imagine that the distance is related to 2011/12 onwards. In fairness Tipperary is commutable to UL and many people do this (41km), Ennis is similar, only 35 minutes with the tunnel and motorway open.

It's harsh for those used to getting the non-adjacent rate, but you have to question the fairness of awarding a non-adjacent grant to someone living 35/40 minutes from college.

I'll be looking in more detail tomorrow.

daenerysstormborn3

Hi ninty9er, I know it hasn't been available to new entrants since Sept that's why I'm wondering what is the significance of this again being outlined in the new budget, will it effect more students that weren't effected by it last Sept?

ranopano

I agree with the above, but I think a complete overhaul of the grant system was needed and I'm really mystified that this didn't happen.

Annasopra

pixiebean22 wrote: »

Hi ninty9er, I know it hasn't been available to new entrants since Sept that's why I'm wondering what is the significance of this again being outlined in the new budget, will it effect more students that weren't effected by it last Sept?

Currently if you get BTEA you can also have the 1500 registration fee paid by applying on the same form as the maintenance grant - perhaps they are cutting this

Annasopra

ranopano wrote: »

I agree with the above, but I think a complete overhaul of the grant system was needed and I'm really mystified that this didn't happen.

There has been lobbying for this for some years - about 4 years ago The minister agreed to cut down the number of grant authorities in a new law called the student support bill - This law is still being drafted - I understand that unfortunately a student from griffith college was taking a legal action about a grant and this delayed it

Scrappychimow

Johnnymcg wrote: »

Currently if you get BTEA you can also have the 1500 registration fee paid by applying on the same form as the maintenance grant - perhaps they are cutting this

perhaps NOT!

irishharper

does this cut also apply to dept of education scholarships???

killer_penguin

Got awarded special rate [dependent mature 100%] in October (€6355)
4% reduction from the budget => €6100

Then I read this in the board of education press release on the budget;

"Savings of €4 million (€13 million in 2014) will be secured by reducing the automatic eligibility of mature students to the higher non-adjacent rate of payment, thereby bringing the arrangements for mature students into line with all other students."


I guess this means I am reduced down to the adjacent special rate of €2,545

What I want to know is does this affect my grant award this year ?
or does it apply for those applying next year ?

If it applies now I am down nearly 4,000 euro .....
If that is the case it is only gonna speed up my decision to jump on a plane as soon as I finish my last exam next may ... :mad:

Any answers would be greatly appreciated, still feel in the dark as the PR from the board of education isn't date specific

Cheers ,
Glenn.

bkelly86

killer_penguin wrote: »

Got awarded special rate [dependent mature 100%] in October (€6355)
4% reduction from the budget => €6100

Then I read this in the board of education press release on the budget;

"Savings of €4 million (€13 million in 2014) will be secured by reducing the automatic eligibility of mature students to the higher non-adjacent rate of payment, thereby bringing the arrangements for mature students into line with all other students."


I guess this means I am reduced down to the adjacent special rate of €2,545

What I want to know is does this affect my grant award this year ?
or does it apply for those applying next year ?

If it applies now I am down nearly 4,000 euro .....
If that is the case it is only gonna speed up my decision to jump on a plane as soon as I finish my last exam next may ... :mad:

Any answers would be greatly appreciated, still feel in the dark as the PR from the board of education isn't date specific

Cheers ,
Glenn.

I was shocked when i seen it. Surely they wont impose such a huge cut mid-year. I've emailed the dept of education so hopefully I'll have some info tomorrow.

Musefan

If I was to travell to college it would be a 232km round trip, so I guess I stick with the non-adjacent rate. Still makes me mad that student financesare cut + and increase in reg fees are introduced. It's not very sustainable for the student.

bkelly86

I rang the dept of education and they said the changes wont come into effect until next September and that they weren't given any info on whether it will be only for new students starting 1st year in September.

ontour

bkelly86 wrote: »

I rang the dept of education and they said the changes wont come into effect until next September and that they weren't given any info on whether it will be only for new students starting 1st year in September.

Thanks for letting us know, I'll be 3 km short if its each way:(

ranopano

Ontour, it is definitely 45km each way.

Changing the qualifying distance criterion for entitlement to the higher non-adjacent rate of grant (distance from home to the higher education institution) from 15 miles (24 kilometres) to 28 miles (45 kilometres).

I think that's pretty clear. There's never been a mention of round trips or each way anywhere.

JayC5

So can anyone shed a bit more light on this for me pls

Mature student here by the way - my family home is more than 50 miles away from my college, because of this I had to move closer as in within the 5 mile radius of the college (this entails higher rents, bills and cost of living etc). Because of the budget changes my grant now gets cut by by 50%?

- am I interpreting this correctly, because if I am it basically means that my rent doubled by moving closer and now my grant has been halved. This is just going to force me to move outside the distance zone to requalify again next year or else face dropping out....


Am I missing something or is it that fuct up?

Thoughts and thanks in advance

Annasopra

jayc - its unclear as yet if this change will effect all grant holders or only new applicants

Balagan

Scrappychimow wrote: »

perhaps NOT!

• Further savings of €27 million will be achieved by replacing the existing €1,500 per year Student Services Charge with a flat higher education Student Contribution of €2,000 with effect from the 2011/2012 academic year. The Student Contribution will apply to all students who currently benefit under the ‘free fees’ scheme. Higher education institutions will be asked to consider how they could put in place arrangements under which a student may opt to pay the charge in two equal instalments of 50% in September and 50% in January in a given academic year. The contribution will be paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under the third level grant schemes. These students, who account for some 43% of all undergraduates, will not be impacted by any increase in charges. The Government is also aware of the particular financial pressures that this charge may place on families where family income is marginally in excess of current eligibility levels for maintenance grant support and on families with more than one sibling in higher education at the same time. With this in mind, the current higher education grants schemes threshold will be increased to provide for an additional eligibility category of support qualifying for ‘50% Student Contribution’ (see detail in Appendix). In addition, arrangements will be made to provide that second and subsequent siblings from a single family will not have to bear the full increased cost of the new €2,000 charge.
http://www.education.ie/servlet/blob...ation_2011.pdf

Celtise

Yeah everything applies for sure from september not mid year, unlike when they cut the grants in 2008 budget (announced october 2007).

Am shocked by the jump in distance for non-adjacent. At home this is going to effect everyone I know going to the closest college as it is only about 30km. I know some people may say that isn't bad but when the public transport out of our town was cut to one bus a day leaving a 7am only bus and then cut altogether in the last lot of transport cuts (I think), it seems damn near crazy to be expected.

Oh and I wouldn't hold my breathe on it applying to new 1st years. I suspect protests will arise from these changes once the full position is defined by the government.

charlie_says

Does anyone have any figures/info for people like myself who receive the grant maintenance top up rate? How much it will be cut etc.

Currently I receive ~€6350 in grant per year.

snubbleste

All grants cut by 4% from January.

Celtise

And even more if you no longer qualify for non-adjacent, 6350 down to c.2400.

stripey sox

I am a mature student in year 2 of a 4 year degree. I just discovered on Mon about this sneaky adjustment to student grants. Most mature student are unaware of these measures and so its important to inform colleagues of the changes.

There is no need for such harsh measures and Im hoping that students and parents alike will come out in protest in Jan. Complacency will get us nowhere. After all this government have only taken token cuts to their fat pay packets:mad::mad::mad:

RoyalMarine

stripey sox wrote: »

I am a mature student in year 2 of a 4 year degree. I just discovered on Mon about this sneaky adjustment to student grants. Most mature student are unaware of these measures and so its important to inform colleagues of the changes.

There is no need for such harsh measures and Im hoping that students and parents alike will come out in protest in Jan. Complacency will get us nowhere. After all this government have only taken token cuts to their fat pay packets:mad::mad::mad:

most student unions have all the information. they really should inform students about this more efficiently.

snubbleste

Does anyone know if the maintenance grant is subject to the new Universal Social Charge from January 1 2011?
I can't see it listed in the exemptions.
People getting the top-up grant might be affected as it is 2% on income above €4,004 a year.

stacexD

Just checked my bank there, got my grant in for this month 361 same as usual. Doubt they wll cut the grant this year since when you get the grant they tell you your awarded x amount for the year not x per week/month

Pigwidgeon

For my grant it has a disclaimer on the award letter saying something about the amount payments may change in accordance with the budget. Something along those lines. Last year anyway, the 5% cut was applied from January.

I'm really not looking forward to next year though, I'm not eligible for the non-adjacent rate any more, so my payments are going to be more than halved.

stacexD

the new non-adj grant is a joke! the 40 euro or so you get a week for it will be gone in 3 days with petrol... I'll be staying in waterford anyway gonna work out cheaper than living at home!

achmairt

Here is the real story on grants:
The last budget reduced the grant by 4%
This means from Jan 2011 the grant will be reduced for the rest of your payments for 2011. That is the least of your worries.

The big problem starts in Sept 2011.
For ALL students, that means 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th years - the non adjacent mileage for grants is now 28 miles. It used to be 15 miles. Unless students live within 28 miles from the college (door to door), the grant will be more than halved. Most people think it only affects 1st yr students.

The new 2011/2012 grants rates will be released in July 2011 so all the info will be on studentfinance.ie. Better start saving up now unless u want to live on beans on toast

littlefriend

achmairt wrote: »

For ALL students, that means 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th years - the non adjacent mileage for grants is now 28 miles. It used to be 15 miles. Unless students live within 28 miles from the college (door to door), the grant will be more than halved. Most people think it only affects 1st yr students.

I actually feel sick after reading that. I don't know what I'm going to do.