Back To Education Allowance (Postgraduate)

Zippacat

Hi,
I've recently graduated from a Masters course and unfortunately haven't been able to find work. I'm claiming jobseekers allowance at the moment. I've decided that I want to apply for the Higher Diploma in Education. However I have no way to pay for it. I'll be 24 in March of next year and was wondering would it be possible for me to claim jobseekers allowance. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Zippacat

cee_jay

As you already hold a Masters, you will not be eligible to receive BTEA for a H.Dip.

From www.welfare.ie BTEA Guidelines:
Under no circumstances will BTEA be awarded to a person who already holds a postgraduate qualification

perfectisthe

I've done an honours degree and a H.Dip on the BTEA, and, as far as I understand it, you're not eligible if you already hold a qualification higher than the one you are applying for. I could stand to be corrected on this though.

Zippacat

cee_jay wrote: »

As you already hold a Masters, you will not be eligible to receive BTEA for a H.Dip.

From www.welfare.ie BTEA Guidelines:
Under no circumstances will BTEA be awarded to a person who already holds a postgraduate qualification

Thanks for the quick reply.

Zippacat

Zippacat wrote: »

cee_jay wrote: »

As you already hold a Masters, you will not be eligible to receive BTEA for a H.Dip.

From www.welfare.ie BTEA Guidelines:
Under no circumstances will BTEA be awarded to a person who already holds a postgraduate qualification

Thanks for the quick reply.

Is there no chance at all that I could get it? Are there ever exceptions made? Thanks for all the help.

Zippacat

Is there no chance at all that I might qualify? Are there ever exceptions made? Thanks

perfectisthe

I doubt it unfortunately. It's been my experience that they stick to the rules fairly rigidly when it comes to the BTEA. You could go and speak to someone in your local office and find out.

cee_jay

No exceptions I'm afraid. The guidelines are pretty clear on this aspect of BTEA.

SasQuatch88

Hey guys thought this might be the right place to ask this, but i've finished a H-dip in 2010, and i want to apply for a degree course in games design (following the course content of my Hdip) wondering if i will be eligible for BTEA, and will they pay a certain amount of the reg fee's and such, and how much is the BTEA per week/month?

cheers all the same

Sasquatch

perfectisthe

As far as I know you won't qualify for it unfortunately. As Ceejay pointed out earlier in this thread, you can't get it if you already hold a postgrad qualification.

SasQuatch88

Sorry i have to throw something in, in my blind fury to type out my last comment i didn't realise i had typed H-Dip rather i have a higher national diploma..
my next advancement would be degree level, and with that said would i be eligible for BTEA?
Cheers
Sasquatch

perfectisthe

You shouldn't encounter any problems progressing from level 6 to level 7/8.

To answer your other initial questions, the BTEA is only a living allowance, it doesn't cover reg fees, you'll need to apply for a grant to cover those. It's the same rate as a standard social welfare payment - €188 at the moment.

I'm living off savings and loans this year doing a masters and I can tell you I really miss the BTEA!

SasQuatch88

Cheers for the quick reply,
I was planning to join the army, but the way things are going now i'd rather continue my education and get a job when (and if) the economy picks up.
Plus i'll be doing something i love..
How much is the Masters costing you a year?