Post-graduate grant

OneOfThem Stumbled

I have heard that there are grants available for post-grad courses (tested on your income/parents' income) but I am finding it difficult to get any concrete information

Is it available for masters courses and PhDs?

number10a

It is. I got it for my Masters. Same process as the undergrad really. If you're going straight from undergrad to postgrad, it's really just a case of letting your grant authority know and they'll keep paying. No need for filling in of forms once again. And if you get the grant, they'll also pay your fees.

saa

Hey in 4th year applying for a MA, but tbh this is all getting a bit much.

just wondering after you're 23 surely its not based on your parents income is it?
in my case im 21 next year, until im 23 I will get a grant no probs but after

if I am on the dole or min wage would I get the same ish grant?

If I start a MA under 23 and the second year I am 23 going 24 is the second year based on my own income?

Very confusing!

Tree

Regardless of age, if you were dependant on your parents income during college within the last three years, you will continue to be dependant on them until a break of 3 years.

So if you apply now, and are dependant, you will continue to be dependant.

If you wait till your 23 (a break of two years) You will still be dependant. As they removed benefits for mature students, there's little difference between doing it now or then.

IF after a break of three years, you apply, you will be reckoned on your own income.

Naturally, the rules will change so it may be more strict next year.

OneOfThem Stumbled

Is the grant means test based purely on current/previous years' income (or whoever you are dependent on) or does it also cover what money you have in the bank?

Also what are the differences with the mature application compared to the non-mature?

Finally, I have heard that such applications for a grant can be done before actually being registered to a particular course (with the expectation of taking up said course). Is this true?

P.S. I have also heard that if you undertook a course but didn't complete it (e.g. were in it for let's say six-seven weeks) you wouldn't be able to claim for a grant for this same period if you take up a similar course again. This doesn't make much sense to me unless the person obtained the grant for that course and was thus barred from attempting to obtain the "same" grant as it were...

saa

Tree wrote: »

Naturally, the rules will change so it may be more strict next year.

Thanks, But I do feel like there is a big difference if I go straight on compared to a one or two year break

After the break there will hardly be a grant left the cuts have been going for the last three years!

But its nice to know if I don't get accepted into what I want this year its not going to be the end of the world

Tree

OneOfThem Stumbled wrote: »

Is the grant means test based purely on current/previous years' income (or whoever you are dependent on) or does it also cover what money you have in the bank?

Also what are the differences with the mature application compared to the non-mature?

Finally, I have heard that such applications for a grant can be done before actually being registered to a particular course (with the expectation of taking up said course). Is this true?

P.S. I have also heard that if you undertook a course but didn't complete it (e.g. were in it for let's say six-seven weeks) you wouldn't be able to claim for a grant for this same period if you take up a similar course again. This doesn't make much sense to me unless the person obtained the grant for that course and was thus barred from attempting to obtain the "same" grant as it were...

Bascially covers last year's income and any income from property/stocks/farms etc. If you can demonstrate that the income will no longer be available to you, it's worth sending in additional documentation (eg. lost the job in january)

No real difference between mature dependant and not mature anymore (used to get extra money for being maature).

Masters courses usually let you know in plenty of time if you're accepted, but yep, as soon as the applications are open for the grant, you can send one in and send a course confirmation acceptance form in then later.

I imagine there's no point paying the adminstration to assess the grant for someone who's dropped out of the same thing in the past. I imagine if you can show a legitimate reason (illness, bereavement) you might be able to get them to reassess, but I wouldnt take my word for it/