Seemingly unnoticed budget effects!

a1000pigeons

Just wondering is anybody as concerned as I am regarding the budget. It seems most people I know are unaware that there are far greater consequences than a 4% cut in place, I myself becoming aware by accident. Just throwing it out there for all of us in WIT but basically if you're in receipt of a grant you can kiss pretty much half of it or more goodbye in many cases as they've changed the non-adjacent distance to 45km. Apparently this extends to all students (not just incoming) from next year and mature students are to be included also (they were previously exempt). All the info's on the student union website, I myself am borderline distance wise and may possibly lose 2/3 of my grant and be roughly 4000 out of pocket next year. Hardly a reasonable proportion of a students income but I feel you all should know and look into your own situations as this will be detrimental to many of us. I know we all have varying situations but I for one feel this is unfair because as a mature student I returned to education on the basis that such funding would allow me to do so. If I'm forced not to continue it'll be a shame though I hope it wont come to that. Be warned!

a1000pigeons

We are to be shafted by proposals of further cuts beyond the 4% mentioned in the budget. The following article estimates a cut of on average of 1700 euros per annum to students in receipt of a grant. Some mature students may see a reduction of over 4000 euros or approx 30% of their income. Hardly proportional to what anybody else in the country is being hit by, considering we are the people at the bottom. It seems most students are unaware of this, so please inform your fellow students if you read this. Strangely the students union have not mentioned or informed us about these matters but there is information from USI on the WITSU site and this link to NUIG's students union also makes for good reading -

http://www.su.nuigalway.ie/site/view/2271/

It is reckoned 25000 students will be affected by this.

You've been warned!!!

bmarley

This will probably effect mature students who are on double payments - B.T.E.A. + the grant together. In fairness, this has been open to abuse over the past few years with prospective students waiting to attend college until 23+ so that they would get these entitlements. It really was a nice little earner, one was being paid well while furthering their education. So to cut this would be unfair? Take a look at entitlements in other countries.

MitchKoobski

I'm currently getting €1300 per annum from the grant. I'm not sure if it's possible for me to get less...

a1000pigeons

This doesn't just affect mature students, while those receiving the 'top-up rate' and full maintenance grant will be the hardest hit, this is related to a change in distance determining whether you qualify for the adjacent or non-adjacent rate. It will affect students across the board and effectively halve many students grants. It seems to have been slipped in inconspicuously by the government but will hold far more weight than any 4% cut mentioned in the budget for those affected. It is estimated that the number of students would be 25,000 (7000 of those mature). In my reckoning it is unfair to many mature students who entered their course on the premise that such support would be in place to take it away during their course. It is also ridiculous to stereotype mature students. My situation, I am a 31 year old mature student who travels approx 100km a day return to college. I live with my fiancee who is a graduate and is unemployed. I am not in a position to move closer to the college. I work hard, need every bloody penny I have to get by at the moment and am by no means on the make.

Therefore, these proposals by the government are not inconsiderable by any means bmarley.

By the way MitchKoobski, I reckon you might experience no change because you're living in Waterford as far as I know (I'm in your class ha, ha!), but spread the word on this matter.

RoyalMarine

Every year there are changes.

Last year they scrubbed the btea + grant for new enrolled students. they did however say that students who currently recieve both payments will continue to do so until they finish their studies.

The new rules coming out this year, will they affect EVERYONE, or just new applicants?
we will have to wait and see im afraid.

bmarley

a1000pigeons wrote: »

This doesn't just affect mature students, while those receiving the 'top-up rate' and full maintenance grant will be the hardest hit, this is related to a change in distance determining whether you qualify for the adjacent or non-adjacent rate. It will affect students across the board and effectively halve many students grants. It seems to have been slipped in inconspicuously by the government but will hold far more weight than any 4% cut mentioned in the budget for those affected. It is estimated that the number of students would be 25,000 (7000 of those mature). In my reckoning it is unfair to many mature students who entered their course on the premise that such support would be in place to take it away during their course. It is also ridiculous to stereotype mature students. My situation, I am a 31 year old mature student who travels approx 100km a day return to college. I live with my fiancee who is a graduate and is unemployed. I am not in a position to move closer to the college. I work hard, need every bloody penny I have to get by at the moment and am by no means on the make.

Therefore, these proposals by the government are not inconsiderable by any means bmarley.

By the way MitchKoobski, I reckon you might experience no change because you're living in Waterford as far as I know (I'm in your class ha, ha!), but spread the word on this matter.

Did not mean to stereotype mature students or make assumptions and I know each individuals case is different. I just don't think that based on the state of our economy, we can continue to take things for granted as we have done in previous years.

My partner also travels over 100 km to college on a daily basis. Last year, while doing a fetac 6 he received the full maintenance plus BTEA. This year when embarking on an undergraduate course he was told he would not be entitled to both allowances so is in receipt of BTEA only. Out of this, he pays nearly 100 euro in travel expenses. So therefore, just because he was entitled to both payments when doing the level 6 did not mean he would keep it whilst doing the level 7 (because it was a new course)! As a post-graduate myself, I am also aware of how hard it is to get suitable employment and consider myself lucky to be in low paid, part-time work. Yes, it is a struggle for all during these times!

daenerysstormborn3

I'd hardly see having to be on the dole for 2 years prior to applying for btea a nice little earner.

bmarley

pixiebean22 wrote: »

I'd hardly see having to be on the dole for 2 years prior to applying for btea a nice little earner.

So people make choices - and maybe you chose to be on the dole for 2 years prior to applying for btea instead of working and saving towards your education.

daenerysstormborn3

I'm not actually a mature student so you can get down off your high horse :rolleyes:

Sully

Why the need for a second thread on the subject?

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