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Special Maintenance Grant..

  • 03-08-2011 7:55pm
    #1
    RainbowRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭


    Hi all,

    I was just wondering if I'm eligible for this? I have been on Jobseeker's allowance for the past year and I'm now going for a degree course.

    Are there any specific requirements for this grant?

    I'm grateful for any help given :)


Comments

  • #2
    joannaman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 130 ✭✭joannaman


    Hi Rainbowred,

    I'm in the same boat yourself as I'm trying to find out if my wife is entitled to the special rate. Check out this document from the studentfinance website

    http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/Student%20Grant%20Scheme%202011.pdf

    Page 37 says that if you are in receipt of jobseekers allowance for 391 days (or a combination of benefit and allowance - see the asterix) then you should be entitled. You have to be awarded the basic grant first though so I don't know if they will give you the special rate automatically or whether you have to go after them again looking for it. I'd say try to figure out if you meet the 391 days criteria. Beware that for the 391 days, they may mean days that you receive social welfare for, so 6 days per week, not sundays, which would mean 391/6 = 65 weeks. It's all so bloody vague at the best of time and trying to get info out of my local grant office is like talking to the Secret Service but if you think you are entitled to it, get on to them about it when you are awarded the basic grant.


  • #3
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,156 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    RainbowRed wrote: »
    Hi all,

    I was just wondering if I'm eligible for this? I have been on Jobseeker's allowance for the past year and I'm now going for a degree course.

    Are there any specific requirements for this grant?

    I'm grateful for any help given :)

    Are you eligible for BTEA?

    You might be better off getting BTEA and applying for the grant to pay the student contribution 2000 fee

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #4
    RainbowRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭RainbowRed


    mango salsa wrote: »
    Are you eligible for BTEA?

    You might be better off getting BTEA and applying for the grant to pay the student contribution 2000 fee


    Hi, I don't think the BTEA would be enough to support me for the year.

    Also,depending on my situation, doesn't the Student Maintenance grant pay the 2000 fee anyway?

    How much would I get on BTEA? I'm 21 living at home. Thanks


  • #5
    RainbowRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭RainbowRed


    joannaman wrote: »
    Hi Rainbowred,

    I'm in the same boat yourself as I'm trying to find out if my wife is entitled to the special rate. Check out this document from the studentfinance website

    http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/Student%20Grant%20Scheme%202011.pdf

    Page 37 says that if you are in receipt of jobseekers allowance for 391 days (or a combination of benefit and allowance - see the asterix) then you should be entitled. You have to be awarded the basic grant first though so I don't know if they will give you the special rate automatically or whether you have to go after them again looking for it. I'd say try to figure out if you meet the 391 days criteria. Beware that for the 391 days, they may mean days that you receive social welfare for, so 6 days per week, not sundays, which would mean 391/6 = 65 weeks. It's all so bloody vague at the best of time and trying to get info out of my local grant office is like talking to the Secret Service but if you think you are entitled to it, get on to them about it when you are awarded the basic grant.

    Thank you for your reply :) It has made things a bit clearer, so do I have to be awarded the basic grant first, then apply for the special maintenance grant? Also, I have been getting JSA for over that amount of days, excluding Sundays!


  • #6
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,156 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    RainbowRed wrote: »
    Hi, I don't think the BTEA would be enough to support me for the year.

    Also,depending on my situation, doesn't the Student Maintenance grant pay the 2000 fee anyway?

    How much would I get on BTEA? I'm 21 living at home. Thanks

    Eh - BTEA gives you a lot more than the grant!

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



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  • #7
    RainbowRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭RainbowRed


    mango salsa wrote: »
    Eh - BTEA gives you a lot more than the grant!

    Really? How much do you get on BTEA? Could I get the 2000 registration fee paid on it and also the tuition fee? Thanks


  • #8
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,156 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    RainbowRed wrote: »
    Really? How much do you get on BTEA? Could I get the 2000 registration fee paid on it and also the tuition fee? Thanks

    You get whatever you get on jobseekers allowance plus €500

    If you apply for the grant then they pay the €2000 student contribution

    How far is your college from your home?

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #9
    RainbowRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭RainbowRed


    mango salsa wrote: »
    You get whatever you get on jobseekers allowance plus €500

    If you apply for the grant then they pay the €2000 student contribution

    How far is your college from your home?

    Well, tbh I really think I would be eligible for the Special Maintenance grant, which would be more than the BTEA.. but do I have to wait until I've been accepted for the main grant to apply for the special maintenance one?

    I'm not sure what will be best for me :/.. will the council decide whats best for me on my grant application? Or will I have to tell them what I'm applying for?

    Thanks


  • #10
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,156 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    RainbowRed wrote: »
    Well, tbh I really think I would be eligible for the Special Maintenance grant, which would be more than the BTEA.. but do I have to wait until I've been accepted for the main grant to apply for the special maintenance one?

    I'm not sure what will be best for me :/.. will the council decide whats best for me on my grant application? Or will I have to tell them what I'm applying for?

    Thanks

    How far is your college?

    If it's less than 45km then the special rate is only €2445

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #11
    RainbowRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭RainbowRed


    I'm more than 45 km..


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  • #12
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,156 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    You get 188 euro per week on BTEA - I honestly don't know how you figure out the grant gives you more

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #13
    RainbowRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭RainbowRed


    Would I not get 100euros coz I'm only 21?


  • #14
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,156 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    RainbowRed wrote: »
    Would I not get 100euros coz I'm only 21?

    No - you get 188

    www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html
    Rates
    The Back to Education Allowance is paid at a
    standard rate. This means, if you are getting a
    reduced rate of payment it is increased to the
    maximum standard rate of payment while you
    are getting BTEA. If you are already getting the
    maximum rate, you continue to do so.
    For example, if you are getting a jobseeker' s
    payment, you will be paid a Back to Education
    Allowance at the maximum standard rate of
    Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker' s Allowance. It
    will include any increases you are getting for a
    qualified adult and qualified children .

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #15
    brownacid
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 484 ✭✭brownacid


    If you are only 21 then you are assessed on your parents income, it doesn't matter what your situation is whether you live away from home or not, you will be classed as a dependant applicant


  • #16
    RainbowRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭RainbowRed


    mango salsa wrote: »
    No - you get 188

    www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html

    Thank you for your help, maybe BTEA is my best option! .. Do you know if the registration fees and tuition fees are paid by the grant if I'm on BTEA?


  • #17
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,156 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    RainbowRed wrote: »
    Thank you for your help, maybe BTEA is my best option! .. Do you know if the registration fees and tuition fees are paid by the grant if I'm on BTEA?

    Yes they are - you fill out the exact same form

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #18
    RainbowRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭RainbowRed


    If I apply for the BTEA and free fees on the grant, am I still able to apply for the full grant if I don't get the BTEA?


  • #19
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,156 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    RainbowRed wrote: »
    If I apply for the BTEA and free fees on the grant, am I still able to apply for the full grant if I don't get the BTEA?
    Yes

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #20
    RainbowRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭RainbowRed


    If I completed a level 6 course 2 years ago, am I still eligible for the BTEA?


  • #21
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,156 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    RainbowRed wrote: »
    If I completed a level 6 course 2 years ago, am I still eligible for the BTEA?

    Im not sure

    what level are you now applying for?


    This may help

    http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



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  • #22
    RainbowRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 38 ✭RainbowRed


    Im going for a level 8 degree course now..


  • #23
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,156 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    RainbowRed wrote: »
    Im going for a level 8 degree course now..

    I think you still get it - check with your local social welfare office

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



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