Student Grant Refused...should I appeal??

whatanidiot

I just got my refusal letter from Waterford VEC for the Mature Student Grant on the basis that I did a year of a different course of a different level as the one I've just started :( I did my last course in 03 and absolutely hated it but I tried to stick it out for the year and left the course at the end of the year. I didn't even apply for the grant that time so had been under the impression that it wouldn't affect my application Any advice greatly appreciated

RoyalMarine

lot of more information is required.

I am Over 23 Years of Age on 01 January 2010

You are eligible to apply for a grant if you meet all of the following conditions:

* I am entering an approved Higher Certificate or Ordinary Degree course* for the first time**
* I do not already hold an Honours Bachelor degree or equivalent Level 8 qualification
* I have not completed more than one year of an Honours Bachelor Degree or equivalent Level 8 qualification
* I am not pursuing a Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree course

*Approved under the Third Level Maintenance Grant Scheme for Trainees
**Including entering a one-year ‘add-on’ Ordinary Degree course for the first time

Note for the attention of mature students re-entering:

If you are re-entering in order to complete an approved course in 2010-11, you may be eligible for a grant if you meet the following conditions:

* you are entering as a mature candidate following a break of at least three years
* prior to the break you were dependent on your parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
* you previously attended a course approved under the Third Level Maintenance Grant Scheme for Trainees

p28559

you can not get a grant to undertake, for example, first year for a second time even if the course is different.

as i understadn the scheme you have to be making progress ..

no harm in appealing...

Annasopra

whatanidiot wrote: »

I just got my refusal letter from Waterford VEC for the Mature Student Grant on the basis that I did a year of a different course of a different level as the one I've just started :( I did my last course in 03 and absolutely hated it but I tried to stick it out for the year and left the course at the end of the year. I didn't even apply for the grant that time so had been under the impression that it wouldn't affect my application Any advice greatly appreciated

My understanding is that you are probably not eligible

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/maintenance_grant_schemes_for_students_on_third_level_courses.html

Have attended but not successfully completed an approved course and are returning following a break of at least 5 years in order to pursue an approved course at the same level in the academic year in question. In this instance, you will be considered a Second Chance Student

achmairt

For u to be eligible for a grant as a second chance student u must enter the second one at level 8 only.
If u are doing a level 7 now u won't be eligible as a second chance student.

U should ring them and find out the reason for the refusal coz it doesn't sound right that u were refused unless u are repeating.

whatanidiot

Thanks for the replies I've been looking into it since and don't think I'll get anything this year but should get it next year. I'm doing a level 8 course now and did a level 6 last time for the year I'm going down to the VEC office on Friday to find out if theres any help so fingers crossed

alanmcgrath40

Having completed my trade in 2008 I decided to do a bit of travelling and left for Australia in July 2008 and when I returned in April 2009 I found it very hard too get full time work. So I decided that I would be a good time to further my education as a mature student and returned to college to do mechanical engineering and because of my trade I was exempt from 1st year. I applied for the student grant in aug 2009 and was told in Jan 2010 (5 months later) that I didn't qualify because I wasn't a resident of Ireland because I wasn’t in the country from 1st Oct 2008 even though I was born and lived in Cork all my life and paid taxes here in 2008 and 2009 but that’s another story. I didn't appeal it at the time because I taught it would be too much hassle and I had some savings to keep me going.

Thinking that I would get the grant this year because I was in the country from the 1st of oct 2009 I applied again, only to get a letter 3 days ago (5 months later!) saying.

"Dear Student
I regret to inform you that you are ineligible for grant aid under the maintenance grants scheme for trainees, 2009/2010 because of the following:

5.1 Residence - the candidate must be ordinarily resident in the administrative area of the vocational education committee from the 1st October 2008. A candidate's status in relation to these conditions, as determined at the point of entry to an approved course, will continue to apply for the duration of their studies."

I will however be appealing the decision this time because I have no funds to keep me going and will be forced to drop out and sign on if I don’t receive the grant. So if I was you I would appeal it, as it might save you a lot of time and money in the future because the same rule might apply to you, and you might not get the grant next year either. I will keep you posted on my appeal but it will probably take another couple of month before I hear anything off them.

whatanidiot

Just wanted to say I appealed the decision....I hadn't actually been expecting anything to come from it but turns out I may actually get something. :D Got a letter in the post to let me know the appeals guy reckons I should get the second chance student fund so he's putting it through to the appeals board. Defo worth putting through the appeal if you get a refusal letter, fingers crossed :D

manimal2011

whatanidiot wrote: »

I just got my refusal letter from Waterford VEC for the Mature Student Grant on the basis that I did a year of a different course of a different level as the one I've just started :( I did my last course in 03 and absolutely hated it but I tried to stick it out for the year and left the course at the end of the year. I didn't even apply for the grant that time so had been under the impression that it wouldn't affect my application Any advice greatly appreciated

UPDATE
I would like to advise people with this independent mature student refusal thing with something which saved my application!!
IF you are moving from FURTHER education to HIGHER education THEN you can qualify again as an independent mature student!! If you phone the department of education they will confirm this. My grant office was super narky about it and convinced that it wasn't true - but it turned out they simply hadn't read the update to the scheme that occurred a few months ago - which states that EVEN if you've done a course in the last few years (I have been in further ed courses the previous three years) you can be RECLASSIFIED as an independent mature student if you are moving to HIGHER (i.e. university) study.
The whole rule is ridiculous but this saved my skin anyhow so wanted to share it in case it helps anyone!
They're now judging me on my own income again instead of my parents which was ridiculous...and I got my grant. Woot Woot. Good luck everyone.