Bluebrick/Springboard, a concurrent degree, and the BTEA?

runswithascript

Next week I have induction for a part time Springboard course and I intend to hand in my BTEA form early next week. The only question I am unsure of is whether to mark the course as third level foundation or access, third level undergraduate, or even second level.

The course is NFQ level 6 and awards 40 credits. It also awards a CCNA certificate, a professional qualification which it was mentioned to me might rule it out as foundation or access.

When I queried the institution I intend to read at they were unsure.

I am especially concerned with this as I do not want selecting the wrong option to make me ineligible for BTEA while studying a degree after this course.

I had understood that receipt of the BTEA while on a springboard course would not come at the price of a BTEA if studying a higher level course in the future - is this the case, and if so what should I mark the course down as?

Annasopra

dusf wrote: »

Next week I have induction for a part time Springboard course and I intend to hand in my BTEA form early next week. The only question I am unsure of is whether to mark the course as third level foundation or access, third level undergraduate, or even second level.

The course is NFQ level 6 and awards 40 credits. It also awards a CCNA certificate, a professional qualification which it was mentioned to me might rule it out as foundation or access.

When I queried the institution I intend to read at they were unsure.

I am especially concerned with this as I do not want selecting the wrong option to make me ineligible for BTEA while studying a degree after this course.

I had understood that receipt of the BTEA while on a springboard course would not come at the price of a BTEA if studying a higher level course in the future - is this the case, and if so what should I mark the course down as?

My understanding is that you only get BTEA for full time courses?

runswithascript

Student on Bluebrick or Springboard are definitely now eligible for BTEA. There was a huge marketing campaign about it on the radio - 'do a course and keep your social welfare entitlements'.

Annasopra

dusf wrote: »

Student on Bluebrick or Springboard are definitely now eligible for BTEA. There was a huge marketing campaign about it on the radio - 'do a course and keep your social welfare entitlements'.

Yes - social welfare as in JSB/JSA - I don't think you can switch to BTEA with it!

Under the Part-time Option of the Back to Education Programme you are entitled to keep your jobseeker's payment while you are on the course. If you are getting Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) you will get it for the normal duration of your entitlement, either 9 or 12 months. When your JB finishes you should check if you are entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/applying_to_college/third_level_places_for_unemployed_people.html

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/bte_pteo.aspx

runswithascript

* Sorry the board was acting strange and not letting me post.

Annasopra

dusf wrote: »

asdasda

What?

runswithascript

Springboard asked me to get a form completed my the Social Welfare, and the Social Welfare handed me back the form, along with a BTEA form...

Annasopra

dusf wrote: »

Springboard asked me to get a form completed my the Social Welfare, and the Social Welfare handed me back the form, along with a BTEA form...

Fair enough so - I think maybe third level undergraduate is probably the best classification then

http://www.nfq.ie/nfq/en/FanDiagram/nqai_nfq_08.html

runswithascript

mango salsa wrote: »

Fair enough so - I think maybe third level undergraduate is probably the best classification then

http://www.nfq.ie/nfq/en/FanDiagram/nqai_nfq_08.html

I guess I'll clear it all up when I'm in there Tuesday. I have the feeling the guy at the social welfare only gave me the BTEA form because after I had him fill out my UP51b he assumed I was starting full time third level.

Thanks for your input.

runswithascript

I was told today that even though my course is part time, runs in the evening, and has a 'professional qualification' I must complete the BTEA form.

Apparently even though I won't officially in receipt of the BTEA and I will stay on the same social welfare payment they need all my information including my bank details so they can transfer my payment to the bank.

When I asked if any of this would negate my eligibility for BTEA if I choose to go for a follow up degree the lady I was dealing with had to check with her supervisor who told me that as things stand I am fine, but they cannot tell me about next year and I would have to ask the government.

Confused

jimmyendless

Ya, its confusing. When I took in 1PU15 (whatever) form to SW to stamp, they said I would have to be switched to BTEA as I am not available for work even though springboard course students are available for work. I think the situation is just that Springboard is a completely new concept that doesn't fit into the forms and systems of SW so they are just throwing it on BTEA.

A question I have is will we get the

Receive a cost of education allowance, currently €500, for each academic year of the approved course;

as a condition of the BTEA grants?

runswithascript

jimmyendless wrote: »

A question I have is will we get the

Receive a cost of education allowance, currently €500, for each academic year of the approved course;

as a condition of the BTEA grants?

I really doubt it as I understand it we are not actually on the BTEA, we just had to fill in that form with our details because they had not yet created one for Springbroad/Bluebrick.

Also, as much as I would like a €500 grant I do not think it fair we would receive the same as a full time student seeing as our courses are part time.

jimmyendless

Ya, I'll know Friday how part-time my course is and how many hrs there are.