BTEA/Maintenance Grant?

dashboard_hula

Hello,

I know several threads are asking similar questions, but I just wanted to get mine right as I couldn't seem to get a straight answer from info sites.

Currently on JSA after being made redundant in May. As far as I can see, automatically entitled to BTEA come September, should I be offered a place (fingers crossed).
I'm confused as to whether or not I'm entitled to a maintenance grant from the VEC.
I have been advised that I am not, as I will be in receipt of BTEA.
I have also been advised that I can choose not to take BTEA and apply directly for a maintenance grant, which may or may not be more than my current payment, depending on how much I'm getting.
Additionally, I've also been advised that I am entitled to both.

Confused? Very. Any ideas anyone? Any assistance is appreciated, I'm already chewing my nails daily at the thought of the CAO offers, this is worse than the accounting classes I'm hoping to take!

RoyalMarine

BTEA =
188 per week.
ability to apply for rent allowance.
500 euro book allowance paid yearly in october.
during summer, you can claim JSA.
You can apply to VEC for your fee's to be paid for the college each year.
You can take a part time job during college and it wont affect your claim for BTEA.

vec grant =
heavily means tested on you IF your independant.
heavily means tested on you and your parents IF your dependant.
No rent allowance.
No JSA during summer months.
You can take a part time job, but your income "Might" be used next year when assessing your application.

Im on BTEA, and i seriously suggest you take that over the grant.

the application for BTEA is so simple.
the application for the grant is extremly complicated and annoying.

dashboard_hula

Lovely job RoyalMarine, thanks a million

Long Term Louth

You must still go through the grant application process, in order to qualify for registration fees. If applying for level 8 or greater you apply to your local council, rather than VEC. While the application for BTEA is simple enough, the pending length of the decision time, varies from County to County.

RoyalMarine

Long Term Louth wrote: »

You must still go through the grant application process, in order to qualify for registration fees. If applying for level 8 or greater you apply to your local council, rather than VEC. While the application for BTEA is simple enough, the pending length of the decision time, varies from County to County.

they give you a decision very quickly, you might just be waiting a while for payment to begin.

BUT you get back-dated.

Long Term Louth

As I already stated, it depends on which County you live. The decisions last year varied from County to County, some people were waiting up to the week prior to the resumption of their chosen course, I was one.

simonsez

RoyalMarine wrote: »

BTEA =
188 per week.
ability to apply for rent allowance.
.

on btea you are able to claim rent allowance? do you not need to be on it first?

bmarley

I thought a person had to be on JSA for 6 months in order to qualify for BTEA. Is this correct?

Also, does anyone know..if one was on BTEA allowance last year, can s/he take part time/full time work during the summer and still qualify for BTEA again in September for year 2 of college?

RoyalMarine

simonsez wrote: »

on btea you are able to claim rent allowance? do you not need to be on it first?

thats why i worded it carefully.

"the ability" to apply for it. there are conditions that you must meet in order to actually qualify.

bmarley wrote: »

I thought a person had to be on JSA for 6 months in order to qualify for BTEA. Is this correct?

Also, does anyone know..if one was on BTEA allowance last year, can s/he take part time/full time work during the summer and still qualify for BTEA again in September for year 2 of college?

last i heard it was 9 months to qualify for BTEA.

and as for the second question,

someone in receipt of BTEA can work/take part in a course or even go abroad during the summer, and then continue to receive BTEA when they start their next year in september in college.

bmarley

Thanks for your response. That's good news..if there was only a job available... Dosen't sound like OP would be eligible for BTEA allowance if he is only on allowance since May.

Vodkat

1.10 Qualifying Conditions for SLO & TLO
To qualify for the Back to Education Allowance (second level or third level option), a person must secure a place on an approved course (as specified above) and satisfy the following conditions immediately prior to the commencement of the first year of the course:

(A) at least 21 years of age (at least 24 years of age for an approved postgraduate qualification)

and

in receipt of one of the following social welfare payments for at least 3 months ( 78 days) for Second Level Option (SLO) and 9 months (234 days) for Third Level Option (TLO).

- Jobseekers Allowance
- Jobseekers Benefit
- Farm Assist
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Deserted Wife's Allowance
- Deserted Wife's Benefit
- Widow's/Widower's Non-Contributory Pension
- Widow's/Widower's Contributory Pension
- Prisoners Wife's Allowance
- Carer's Allowance

So you must be in receipt of any of those for a minimum of nine months

markc1184

Does BTEA and fee only grants have to be reapplied for each year or what happens? Sorry for jumping in on this thread.

Vodkat

markc1184 wrote: »

Does BTEA and fee only grants have to be reapplied for each year or what happens? Sorry for jumping in on this thread.

For the BTEA you have to reapply, They send the repeat application form when the course year is completed.

rachums

Im receiving BETA and was just told by someone that i can work full time during the summer and when i start back in second year my claim will be opened up again no problems. This is true?!

Also i was means tested as i was under 25 and living at home, i have recently turned 25, will i be able to get the full payment now or am i stuck at my reduced amount?

Thanks!

RoyalMarine

yes, you can work during the summer months.

yes, your claim should be re-analysed and you should receive the full amount of 188 per week.

Cravez

Actually, just thinking out loud here as it crossed my mind. What would be the situation if I were to head back to University next year full time and I was working full time before that? If I couldn't get work part time when I started college, what would be the situation in regards being able to claim BTEA? Would I have to wait a year after until I could apply for BTEA?

I am asking as I am planning to go to Uni/College full time in September 2012 and the above might actually possibly be a reality If I couldn't hold onto or get any work when I start. Thanks

Edit: Also I know I would be able to apply for the grant at the time, but hypothetically speaking just mentioning the above situation as €1,300 wouldn't be alot to live on as an Independent Mature Student with no work

simonsez

Hi does anyone know what the story is with the BTEA and post grad study.
I am aware of the guidelines. Only Hdips, 232 days etc ..

However , does a person have to get in contact with a Department facilitator after meeting the criteria and explain how the course of study would improve employment chances?

Any ideas .

The reason I ask is that for H-dip cases it is done on a case by case basis. It is not as simple as fulfilling the criteria set out in the Department's operational guidelines.

SS

oz_solo

Hi, I was on jsb ( job seekers benefit) for the last year and it finished in march, i didnt apply for anything else i live at home and assumed i would get nothing! But stil no job, so now i am considering returning to college in sept. But will i be able to apply for BTEA as i am no longer receiving jsb thou stil unemployed? Any advice? Thanks

silkyjoe

Hi I really really would love if you guys could help me out with this, i have a BA degree graduated in 2007 level 8 and i want to apply for a Higher Diploma course in Childhood Montessori that i believe is level 8 also, so my question is, would i able to apply for free fees and a back to education allowance as i have been out of work for a year or is it the case that you only qualify for free fees if you have not my case, completed a level 8 before.

silkyjoe

Anyone??

simonsez

studentfinance.ie and the dept od social protection website have the info

all the best

ss:)

tipp86

silkyjoe wrote: »

Hi I really really would love if you guys could help me out with this, i have a BA degree graduated in 2007 level 8 and i want to apply for a Higher Diploma course in Childhood Montessori that i believe is level 8 also, so my question is, would i able to apply for free fees and a back to education allowance as i have been out of work for a year or is it the case that you only qualify for free fees if you have not my case, completed a level 8 before.

No you need to be progressing to a higher level.

eaglej13

tipp is correct

eaglej13

RoyalMarine wrote: »

BTEA =
188 per week.
ability to apply for rent allowance.
500 euro book allowance paid yearly in october.
during summer, you can claim JSA.
You can apply to VEC for your fee's to be paid for the college each year.
You can take a part time job during college and it wont affect your claim for BTEA.

vec grant =
heavily means tested on you IF your independant.
heavily means tested on you and your parents IF your dependant.
No rent allowance.
No JSA during summer months.
You can take a part time job, but your income "Might" be used next year when assessing your application.

Im on BTEA, and i seriously suggest you take that over the grant.

the application for BTEA is so simple.
the application for the grant is extremly complicated and annoying.

100% accurate.

irish_stevo815

Just a bit of a query: I have been accepted for BTEA and have applied for fees to be paid for by Grant. I am 26, started in UL as a mature student doing a Level 8 degree. In 2006 i finished a level 7 (ordinary degree) course in WIT, so i'm past the 5 years for the second chance grant thing.

The other day i got a letter from the Grants office asking for a couple of forms i need to send to them. Is this a good sign or could i still be turned down? Like, would they have asked for the new info if they were just gonna turn me down????