Mature student grant for a Masters?

py2006

Hiya,

I find the whole process daunting and confusing.

I just completed an evening degree course which I paid for myself. As the work situation dried up I applied for a full-time Masters starting in Sept.

As I am not working and on social welfare am I entitled to a grant for this masters?

I looked at the form a couple of weeks ago but it appeared to be only for degree students. However, I think I found the correct form now?

Also, I notice they want to see earnings from last year. My employer can give me a letter stating this. Would that be enough?

Thanks

Perplexed22

py2006 wrote: »

Hiya,

I find the whole process daunting and confusing.

I just completed an evening degree course which I paid for myself. As the work situation dried up I applied for a full-time Masters starting in Sept.

As I am not working and on social welfare am I entitled to a grant for this masters?

I looked at the form a couple of weeks ago but it appeared to be only for degree students. However, I think I found the correct form now?

Also, I notice they want to see earnings from last year. My employer can give me a letter stating this. Would that be enough?

Thanks

You'll need to submit a 2010 P60 (or P45 if your work finished in 2010) and a P21 Balancing Statement from the Tax Office. If you claimed social welfare in 2010 you'll need a statement for 2010 from them too. If you didn't stop work until 2011 you should send in your P45 (as well as your 2010 P60) so the grant office can disregard your income from employment. Send your long birth cert and your degree results in too. You also need to prove you were living here for 3 of the past 5 years so old P60's for past years should cover this.

I don't know if you're living with your parents. If so, you'll have to submit details of their 2010 income as well. It would be a good idea to download the guidance notes for completing the application form from the Student Finance website. It gives section by section details of the documentation you need to submit.

You haven't said if you're applying for a Back to Education Allowance from social welfare - they're only available for postgraduate teaching qualifications as far as I know so it may not apply in your case. If so you'll only get your fees paid if your grant application is successful. If not you may qualify for a maintenance grant.

Perplexed22

py2006 wrote: »

Hiya,

I find the whole process daunting and confusing.

I just completed an evening degree course which I paid for myself. As the work situation dried up I applied for a full-time Masters starting in Sept.

As I am not working and on social welfare am I entitled to a grant for this masters?

I looked at the form a couple of weeks ago but it appeared to be only for degree students. However, I think I found the correct form now?

Also, I notice they want to see earnings from last year. My employer can give me a letter stating this. Would that be enough?

Thanks

BTW you do have the correct form

py2006

Thanks for the info!!

I have no idea where my P60's are from previous years!

Perplexed22

py2006 wrote: »

Thanks for the info!!

I have no idea where my P60's are from previous years!

Ask the tax office for printouts of your tax records for past years too if you can't find the P60's. I think it's called a P35 (they'll know)

orchidsrpretty

Perplexed22 wrote: »

I don't know if you're living with your parents. If so, you'll have to submit details of their 2010 income as well. It would be a good idea to download the guidance notes for completing the application form from the Student Finance website. It gives section by section details of the documentation you need to submit.

Don't think you need parents information if you are applying as a mature student unless it has changed this year. You will get funding up to about €6000 and the grant which is around €3000 paid in 3 installments throughout the year depending on how far away you live from the college.

You will need to ask your employer for copies of your P60. The tax office do not issue these.

Perplexed22

orchidsrpretty wrote: »

Perplexed22 wrote: »

I don't know if you're living with your parents. If so, you'll have to submit details of their 2010 income as well. It would be a good idea to download the guidance notes for completing the application form from the Student Finance website. It gives section by section details of the documentation you need to submit.

Don't think you need parents information if you are applying as a mature student unless it has changed this year. You will get funding up to about €6000 and the grant which is around €3000 paid in 3 installments throughout the year depending on how far away you live from the college.

You will need to ask your employer for copies of your P60. The tax office do not issue these.

Parents income details must be submitted by mature students who cannot prove independent residency and do not have a three year break in studies.

You're right that the tax office won't give copies of P60 's but I've seen my local office give printouts of tax records (not entirely sure what they call it). If this printout is stamped by the tax office it is acceptable for grant purposes where applicants can't find or get copies of P60's/P45's.

py2006

Thanks for the help guys!