I dont know where the money is going to come from?

LegacyUser

I am currently doing a fetac level 5 course. I will be finished in may and if I pass my exams I have the option of progressing to a full time, fetac level 6 course, which is what i want and aiming for.

However, I am living of savings. I have enough saved to last to christmas if i budget well. However, I dont want to start another year without having enough money to see me through the year.

I am not entitled to a grant. I applied and I was refused for a number of reasons. So, my options are:
1. to take a year out and save, or
2. find a summer a job and hope they keep me on to work part-time during second year
3. if i cant find work, take a year out on the dole

I am thinking of option one, taking a year out and saving as working part time in a tough course will end up getting to me.

But if i cant find work, i have to apply for the dole, as I need something to live on. This probably wont be a problem as I will be finished this course in may. But its such a pity to take a year out on the dole? Its such a waste of a year when i could be sitting in a classroom learning something I enjoy. After 9 months or so on the dole, I will be entitled to the BTEA, so that will sort me out for second year if the government dont scrap it by then.

If i end up on the dole, I know I have to be available for full time work. But do they allow you to do an evening course. There is an evening course I am interested in and doing that, wouldn't feel like such a waste of a year.

I dont know what to do and would prefer not to take a year out, but if i dont have enough money to survive on, what can i do? Does anyone know how I can make money and loads of it for three months during the summer? I hate making decisions.

ordinary_girl

I personally would choose the first option, take a year out and save. Yes, if you don't find a job you could end up on the dole but you could save from that money and you'd also be entitled to do a FAS course.

I do see your point about it being a waste of a year if you do end up on the dole, and I agree with you, but realistically if you don't have the funds to do the level 6 straight after the level 5 then I don't think there's much else you can do if you don't manage to find a job. I'm not sure if they'll let you do evening courses but FAS courses would probably be available to you.

The only other options I can think of would be perhaps asking relatives if they'd be willing to loan you some money or support you for the duration of the course if you can't find a job.

AnonoBoy

Is a student loan an option?

Kosseegan

A prt time course is allowed if it could have been done in conjunction with your normal occupation. Once you are available for work in your normal occupation you will be fine.If you are unemployed you can still go to Public Libraries and avail of informal educational opportunities. You would have plenty of time to learn a language for example at little cost. The improtant thing is not to get depressed and to deal with the situation positively.

syklops

brokestudent wrote: »

I am currently doing a fetac level 5 course. I will be finished in may and if I pass my exams I have the option of progressing to a full time, fetac level 6 course, which is what i want and aiming for.

However, I am living of savings. I have enough saved to last to christmas if i budget well. However, I dont want to start another year without having enough money to see me through the year.

I am not entitled to a grant. I applied and I was refused for a number of reasons. So, my options are:
1. to take a year out and save, or
2. find a summer a job and hope they keep me on to work part-time during second year
3. if i cant find work, take a year out on the dole

I am thinking of option one, taking a year out and saving as working part time in a tough course will end up getting to me.

But if i cant find work, i have to apply for the dole, as I need something to live on. This probably wont be a problem as I will be finished this course in may. But its such a pity to take a year out on the dole? Its such a waste of a year when i could be sitting in a classroom learning something I enjoy. After 9 months or so on the dole, I will be entitled to the BTEA, so that will sort me out for second year if the government dont scrap it by then.

If i end up on the dole, I know I have to be available for full time work. But do they allow you to do an evening course. There is an evening course I am interested in and doing that, wouldn't feel like such a waste of a year.

I dont know what to do and would prefer not to take a year out, but if i dont have enough money to survive on, what can i do? Does anyone know how I can make money and loads of it for three months during the summer? I hate making decisions.

Can I ask, why was your student grant application rejected? I know first hand how bad grant applications can go. My sister and her friend applied at the same time, My dad is self employed and my sister's friends's dad is a farmer. My sister was rejected and her friend approved. The fact that my Dad has not had work in months and the fact the friends dad just had 50 acres of his land rezoned and sold for sites, bringing in about 5Million was irrelevant to the granting board.

Sorry for the rant, but what I am saying is, if you identify why it was turned down, maybe you can re-apply and change the details on the form to improve your chances.

I dont mean to suggest lying, just change tell the truth differently. For example, when it says "Fathers occupation" put N/A. It is not applicable because you dont live at home and are not getting money from him.

Simple things like that, and your application may be approved.

Just an idea.