I'm a little confused

mgerallen

Very confused, would like if someone would tell me if they think i am right...

finished college June, am living with parents.
I have signed on to social welfare and am being means tested (evidence i am still living at home)

I have not qualified for a grant so far. I am, however, returning to do my masters next year and I hope to apply as an independent mature student for a grant.

It says I need to be living independent of parents from Oct 1st this year to apply.

So what i am asking really, If i am out of home and off social welfare by mid september, will this make me eligible to apply?

also, what evidence must you provide to show you are living independently? ...if i am not moving till mid Sept there may not be time to get a utilty bill in name by Oct 1st.

I really hope someone can answer, i am new to all of this.

august12

to apply as Independent Mature, you need to be 23 years old on the 1st of January of entry to college i.e. if entering in Sept 2012 you will have to be 23 on the 1st of Jan 2012, you also need to prove Independent Residency from 1st Oct 2011 right up to starting college. You also need a break of 3 years from your previous study where you would have been assessed under you parents regardless of whether you applied for a student grant or not. To clarify this, if you started a 3 or 4 year undergrad course at 18/19, you completed it this June and are now 22 years, then you will need 3 full years break before you can apply as Independent Mature. If you continue next year in College you will still be assessed under your Parents' Income and are over 23 then you will be assessed as Mature dependent on Parents.

mgerallen

I am 24 now and will be 25 in October. Does this mean i need to wait till 2013 to continue in college and recieve a grant as an independent mature?

august12

I would think September 2014 for the 3 year break going on the scheme for this year, but remember this could change by 2014 as prior to last year Independent Mature only needed a break of one year so if your Parents' Income is below the threshold you might as well apply as Mature Dependent on Parents. Also remember you need to be progressing i.e. you cannot do a degree at the same level again. Check with your Local Authority re the 3 year rule.

Annasopra

mgerallen wrote: »

I am 24 now and will be 25 in October. Does this mean i need to wait till 2013 to continue in college and recieve a grant as an independent mature?

Probably 2014. You can apply as a dependent at any stage.

achmairt

Its too late for you to prove independence now as you need proof from October 2010 not Oct 2011

august12

achmairt wrote: »

Its too late for you to prove independence now as you need proof from October 2010 not Oct 2011

No. it would be October 2011 as this person intends to start course in September 2012.