Re-apply as a dependent AFTER proving independence???

savagecabbages

I applied as an independent mature candidate in Limerick. I completed a degree in 2008..

Applied for financial assistance this year in Limerick City for my masters, and received a reply last week telling me to re-apply as a dependent mature student where my parents reside. The reply cited the newly changed definition of 'returning student', saying there must be a 3-year gap between courses.

I fit every criteria for the grant. living fully independently, earning about the same as someone on the dole, etc.
Why would I be told to re-apply as a dependent candidate after going to great lengths to prove I'm an independent candidate???

I know of people in similar (the exact same) circumstances getting financial support, so is there anything I can do to help my cause???

Who should I talk to? Its my first time applying for anything from the state and i'm a bit lost and disillusioned to say the least...
I'm afraid to go in and shoot myself in the foot by saying something silly

Any help or advice greatly appreciated guys

ninty9er

Were you independent for your undergrad or have you proved independence now?

If the latter it is irrelevant that you are independent as you have not completed the required 3 year break from education.

savagecabbages

I was a dependent for my undergrad.
They say that because of the two year break i have to re-apply as a dependent in another area. why not just turn me down?

I supplied all the required documents to prove i've been living independently since i finished, which means i cant now do a U-turn and reapply as a dependent candidate living with my parents, having proven i have no contact or support from them!

I know I haven't had the newly required 3-year break, but i would have qualified last year, and ill qualify next year so i'm very annoyed that i'm getting caught between two stools:(

p28559

if your not an independent mature candidate as you didnt have the 3 year break then its either apply as a dependent mature or not at all

there are only 2 types of students
dependent or independent...if your not one you must be the other!!

savagecabbages

Thanks for the answers, but i'm still a bit confused...
There are only 2 types of student. To be a dependent you must be ordinarily resident with your parent(s) or legal guardian from the 1st October of the year prior to entry. I'm not, and have had to prove i've been living independently by my own means for several years.
Basically i've proven i'm one type of candidate and now been told to re-apply as another, which i'm not!

Do i have any right to appeal if i haven't really been turned down yet?

I assumed common sense would prevail at some stage and the council wouldn't sign off on option A which would cost them more had have me wait a whole year, when there is another option B which costs them less and saves me waiting a year.

Annasopra

best thing to do is reapply as dependent - I know it makes no sense

savagecabbages

guess if thats my only option i can try that.

I'm pretty sure i wont be able to get any of the required information from my parents though, as they dont have much to do with me anymore...

Has anybody else been in a similar situatiuon?

savagecabbages

Hi all
I'm resurrecting this thread as my situation has developed a little bit.

As explained earlier, Limerick City Council advised me to re-apply in my parents area as a dependent as i hadn't had a 3-year break from my previous studies.

I sent off as much as i could, which was basically my own information from my first application, as my parents didn't give me anything to submit.
This authority got back to me recently saying i failed to prove i was a dependent, and according to my submissions i am infact an independent candidate, and should apply in my own area. which i did already

Is this a tactic to stop people appealing refusal decisions by not actually refusing people and giving them the run around instead???
On the topic of appeals, i was made aware that assistance can be provided in exceptional circumstances. In my case I would have qualify in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 etc. Basically the only year i'm not entitled to assistance in paying my fees is the current academic year and i didn't want to be waiting around on the dole for a whole extra year to go back to college, that'd cost the council even more!
Surely that is an exceptional circumstance, being that this is the only year i can ever fall into this clause

As it stands i'm halfways through my year and up to my neck in debt, i was hoping i'd manage without any assistance from the council, but i'm really struggling

again any help appreciated guys

RoyalMarine

i suggest you talk to some local td's as this is the time they will bend over a barrel to help people.