Turn's out I'm not independent..

Glazun

I turned up at my VEC with my form and all it's documents, only to leave with a new application to fill out and more evidence to collect. I was pretty convinced that because I have been living on my own since 2009 and because I was 23 last June I'd get the full grant plus top-up. Now it seems that's not the case, I have to go badger my parents for a bunch of paperwork.

What confuses me though is that in the guidebook it states that if you're living with your parents on October 1st in the previous year their income will be assessed. Does that mean because I wasn't living with them it won't be?
Or maybe I'm just reading it wrong.

And does the grant office take into consideration that while I received the dole last year I won't be getting it once the course starts? That's what I'm really worried about because that'd push me out of the bracket completely. The distance thing has me confused too, my flat's no where near 45km away.

Annasopra

Are you on the dole? would you not be entitled to BTEA?

Glazun

I'm going to go to the dole office and investigate. According to the website BTEA only covers postgrad courses if it's a h-dip. Though you'd think giving me BTEA for a year would be better than having me sit on dole for 2years until I get my full grant.

Annasopra

A few questions

Is this a masters?

Were you 23 in June this year?

What year did you graduate from your undergrad?

Glazun

mango salsa wrote: »

A few questions

Is this a masters?

Were you 23 in June this year?

What year did you graduate from your undergrad?

Well it's 9months for the post grad, 3months work experience and then an optional 3months to get a masters.

I was 23 last June and, i graduated in 2010.

Annasopra

ah I think I get it - they won't treat you as independent because of the 3 year rule.

You need to apply based on your parents income being assessed.

Its assessed on income @ Oct 2010 - they don't worry about future income unless you apply for the special rate

If you are under 45km you get the lower rate; over it the higher rate

ninty9er

Just to clarify the distance is from your parents home.

It's the 3 year rule as mango said.

Glazun

Yea, I went up to them to clarify, it is your parents home you put down. I just wasn't sure because in the guidance notes it stated.

If you were 23 years of age or older on the 1 Jan 2011 and were ordinarily resident with your parents or legal guardian from the 1st October of the year prior to entry or re-entry to an approved course, your application will be assessed based on your parent's or legal guardian's income and your own income.

From that paragraph I took it that because I wasn't living with my parents that they're income wouldn't be assessed. However it seems as though that's not the case, I still get assessed even though I wasn't living with them.

It's all incredibly frustrating especially the fact I'm 24 in the eyes of the state I'm still dependent on my parents. Even though I've been living on my own since 2009. I just don't understand the logic behind this three year rule.

Surely if you were living on your own, paying your own rent and bills and you have documentation to prove this then it's obvious you're not dependent on your parents.

Predalien

I completely agree with you OP, I finished a 3 year degree in 2006, but went back in 2008 to do something I actually wanted to do (long story...) got no support for that second undergrad and paid all the fees myself and this year I've been refused a grant for a masters based on the 3 year rule, despite the fact that I've received no exchequer funding since 05/06, have been living away from home since 2003 and continued working during my second undergrad to fund the fees. My income if added to my mum's gives me no chance of getting a grant but they won't assess me as an independent mature candidate. Oh and I'm 26. Grrr.

Perplexed22

Predalien wrote: »

I completely agree with you OP, I finished a 3 year degree in 2006, but went back in 2008 to do something I actually wanted to do (long story...) got no support for that second undergrad and paid all the fees myself and this year I've been refused a grant for a masters based on the 3 year rule, despite the fact that I've received no exchequer funding since 05/06, have been living away from home since 2003 and continued working during my second undergrad to fund the fees. My income if added to my mum's gives me no chance of getting a grant but they won't assess me as an independent mature candidate. Oh and I'm 26. Grrr.

I understand your frustration. The 3 year rule has made a muck of things. If you're leaving your job when you start your course, submit your P45 to the grant authority and they will have to disregard your 2010 income. It might bring you under the limit.

Predalien

Didn't know that, thanks. Can't do that though, I've applied with an address 2km from college so would only get €1250 for the year and wouldn't be entitled to social welfare as I'd be in full-time education so wouldn't have any financial means of supporting myself as I don't get any money off my mum anymore what with me being 26 and all...:rolleyes:, likelihood now is I just can't do the course.

Glazun

What exactly are the amounts anyway? Is it 2,900 and 6,100 if you get the top-up?

I talked to the social welfare about the BTEA, they just confirmed that I can't get it. All I can do is get the grant and manage through the year. Try and find a part-time job to keep me afloat. Though they're not easy to find either.

I might see if the bank will help me in someway, but I doubt they'll be much use these days. I'd actually welcome the system from the UK where you get a bank loan and repay it once you get a job. Seems a lot fairer and easier to control.

Perplexed22

Glazun wrote: »

What exactly are the amounts anyway? Is it 2,900 and 6,100 if you get the top-up?

I talked to the social welfare about the BTEA, they just confirmed that I can't get it. All I can do is get the grant and manage through the year. Try and find a part-time job to keep me afloat. Though they're not easy to find either.

I might see if the bank will help me in someway, but I doubt they'll be much use these days. I'd actually welcome the system from the UK where you get a bank loan and repay it once you get a job. Seems a lot fairer and easier to control.

The 100% maintenance grant is €3120, the special rate for those in receipt of certain social welfare payments (and reckonable income of less than €22,703) is €6,100. (both non-adjacent rates). Full Postgraduate fees of up to €6,270 will be paid for those getting a maintenance grant.

There is also a category with higher income limits where a postgraduate can get half their fees or €3135 (whichever is less).

Have a look at the scheme on www.studentfinance.ie

lila44

sorry to bump this thread, but what exactly is this "3 year rule"?

Annasopra

lila44 wrote: »

sorry to bump this thread, but what exactly is this "3 year rule"?

It means that if you did an undergraduate course while you were a dependent student and you are now doing a postgrad course - You cannot be considered as an independent mature student for 3 years after you graduate

lila44

wow.:eek: that's ridiculous on so many levels it's unreal.