Education grant conundrum

RadioClash

Hi all, I've just been accepted to a postgrad course starting this September and I'm about to start negotiating the maze of getting a grant sorted.

-One of the requirements is proof of residency in the state for 3 of the past 5 years. I have had two year long contracts (one of which is finishing up in July) working in a foreign country, and about 4 months backpacking around Asia over the past 5 years. Is the council/grant's authority going to get sticky with me when this is brought up? How likely am I to get refused assistance on this basis? I mean I wasn't exactly resident anywhere when I was travelling.

-Also, they will ask for proof of independence residence dating back to October 2010. Does this strictly mean independent residence in Ireland, or will proof of living abroad suffice?

Any advice from someone who has had a similar conundrum would be greatly appreciated.

ninty9er

If you've only been resident in Ireland for 2 years 8 months of the last 5 years you will be refused.

Independent residence means living at (receiving Revenue, banking, insurance documentation and bills) an address that is not that of your parents/former legal guardian. If you cannot provide this you will be considered dependent and will be required to provide details of parental income for 2010 for your grant.

If you finished your undergrad in 2010, 2009 or 2008 then you will be ineligible for a grant on the basis that you haven't fulfilled the requisite amount of time out of the education system before pursuing a postgraduate qualification.

Grants are a mire of technicalities.

If you were resident nowhere then you will be considered to have been living with your parents and be considered dependent.

qdawg86

If you finished your undergrad in 2010, 2009 or 2008 then you will be ineligible for a grant on the basis that you haven't fulfilled the requisite amount of time out of the education system before pursuing a postgraduate qualification.

Grants are a mire of technicalities.



I have been reading through the studentfinance.ie website and I haven't come across this stipulation- Im concerned now as I have just paid the E500 for a postgrad course- eek !!

Thanks

timeforachange

qdawg86 wrote: »

If you finished your undergrad in 2010, 2009 or 2008 then you will be ineligible for a grant on the basis that you haven't fulfilled the requisite amount of time out of the education system before pursuing a postgraduate qualification.

Grants are a mire of technicalities.



I have been reading through the studentfinance.ie website and I haven't come across this stipulation- Im concerned now as I have just paid the E500 for a postgrad course- eek !!

Thanks

This only applies to those who are changing their type of grant from dependant to independant.
If you applied originally as being dependant on parents for undergrad and you apply for your postgrad as still being dependant then this rule doesnt apply.

qdawg86

I didn't apply for a grant for my undergrad. I lived at home and worked part time and the Free Fees paid for my course fees. Would the 3 year rule still apply then ?

If you graduated in 2008, then its been 3 years since your undergrad tho, no ?