mature student free fees question (prior study in private college)

onion rings

Hi everyone,

Ive a bit of an odd question, I cant find the answer for & Id appreciate your help.

From 2001 to 2003 I went to a private college and completed a full time HETAC Level 6 Higher Cert. in Business

As this wasnt an "approved" course I got no free fees or grants and paid for it all myself (well the credit union did and I paid them back)

Last week I got a CAO offer for a Level 8 "approved" course. Starting at year 1 (out of 4)

I was wondering if I would be eligible for the free fees for the full duration of the course?

I contacted the social welfare (about Back to Education) and my Local Authority (about getting the registration charge paid) and they both said it should be ok on their end because im progressing on (from a level 6 to level 8 - even though im starting out at year 1) but I cant find anything clear about the EU free fees scheme.

im starting to get worried now because if its not paid I wont get to go to college in september


thanks for taking the time to read though all that, i hope it made sense

RoyalMarine

yes, you are elligable.

if you finish a level 6 and then start a level 8 in first year as you are, its considered progressing.

onion rings

Hi RoyalMarine

Thanks so so much for getting back so fast and clearing that up, I was starting to panic,

I dont know in this day and age if the credit union would appreciate me going back and asking for another student loan.

hopefully if anyone else is in the same boat they will see this and save them a few more grey hairs.


Cheers
OR

ellen1982

Heys guys im in the exact same boat iv spent the last few weeks pulling my hair out i was the same did a level 7 course and finished in 2003 and am now going back to do a level 8 starting at year one, the VEC and BTEA informed me that I should be ok... but when I hear the word I "should" i get nervous!! especially cause the course I am doing now isnt directly related to the one previous (is yours onion ring?) but il just have to trust them... but thanks your post just gave me more hope

Mrs Garth Brooks

Can you let me know how ye get on and whether ye are successful getting free fees and grants and what not ? Im very interested to hear how it all goes.

I was kind of in the same situation last year. Done a level 7 course years ago. I wanted to go back but the fees turned me off, so im doing a FETAC course where its no where as bad as fees for a HETAC course.

To the OP, you might be ok as a couple of years ago my brother done a 2 year level 6 course. Took a year out and went back to do another 4 years in a different course. All free fees and grants for the 6 years. I dont know how as i have read some where that you are only entitled for the free fees and grants for the years you haven't done i.e. in year 3 and 4 if you already done a 2 year course.

onion rings

Hi Ellen, No its a completely different course altogether.

Ill let you know how it goes HardLuckWoman - Im thinking it should be grand though.

onion rings

Hi again

Just to let you know I was OK for free fees and the registration fee grant, am waiting to get a letter for the social for BTEA but they said that should be grand as well

cheers:)

ellen1982

ah thats brilliant OR!! im still waiting to hear from the VEC bout the free fees and registration i handed in my application over 2 months ago now so hopefully hear soon