Impact of budget on Postgrad funding support?

Printer

Hi all

I am trying to figure out EXACTLY what the budget has changed for anyone considering entering the postgrad system in 2012.

I am a mature student who will be assessed as an independent mature student - as in my earnings in 2011 will be taken into account for what I am eligible for.

BEFORE the budget my understanding was that if I earned less than 22,000 in 2011 then I was eligible to get my fees paid and get the full maintenance grant.

My situation is the same but what will I now be eligible for?

Can i still get my fees paid for 2012? Is there still a grant - has it been cut or completely abolished?

Thanks - I cant seem to find exact details on what the cuts mean to a mature independently assessed student.

Prez2

I've been trying to figure out the exact same.

Budget 2012: From the 2012/13 academic year, fee grants will only be paid for new postgraduate students if they would previously have qualified for the special rate of grant (see 'Special rates of grants for disadvantaged students' below). In addition, based on their means, a further 4,000 postgraduate students will get a €2,000 fee contribution grant.

That's from the Citizens Information website.

My reading is that a new applicant for 2012/2013 will get a fee grant if they qualify for the special rate while there are no maintenance grants what-so-ever anymore for anyone. The amount you'll get for a fee grant though doesn't seem to have been specified yet.

I cannot make out whether the sentence about the 4,000 students and the €2,000 contribution is related to new applicants or current ones.

augusta24

I could be wrong here but it is my understanding that current students are not being affected (except for the 3% reduction).

As for the new system, it looks like if you would have qualified for the special rate then you'll still get your fees paid. But don't forget, in order to qualify for this you also need one social welfare payment to be counted as income... not just have income below the threshold.

Printer

augusta24 wrote: »

I could be wrong here but it is my understanding that current students are not being affected (except for the 3% reduction).

As for the new system, it looks like if you would have qualified for the special rate then you'll still get your fees paid. But don't forget, in order to qualify for this you also need one social welfare payment to be counted as income... not just have income below the threshold.

One social welfare payment? When though? I was on social welfare for a couple of months in 2010 but not in 2011. Does it have to be in past 12 months?

Are you sure this is the case? Does anyone know where we could find out more about this, would county council offices have info on all this yet?

augusta24

Printer wrote: »

augusta24 wrote: »

I could be wrong here but it is my understanding that current students are not being affected (except for the 3% reduction).

As for the new system, it looks like if you would have qualified for the special rate then you'll still get your fees paid. But don't forget, in order to qualify for this you also need one social welfare payment to be counted as income... not just have income below the threshold.

One social welfare payment? When though? I was on social welfare for a couple of months in 2010 but not in 2011. Does it have to be in past 12 months?

Are you sure this is the case? Does anyone know where we could find out more about this, would county council offices have info on all this yet?

The way I understand it is that for this sept your income for 2011 must be taken into account and you must have a sw included in this income. I think I read somewhere that the sw payment must have been claimed for a long period mayb 9mths or a year? Not sure of the details or where I read that either!

Info here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/maintenance_grant_schemes_for_students_on_third_level_courses.html

saa

Current students not being affected?
In 4th year now need a maintenance grant but also need a year out never taken a break from education

augusta24

saa wrote: »

Current students not being affected?
In 4th year now need a maintenance grant but also need a year out never taken a break from education

I think it means current postgrad students, someone on an undergrad will be affected by this when they want to start a postgrad

Annasopra

augusta24 wrote: »

I think it means current postgrad students, someone on an undergrad will be affected by this when they want to start a postgrad

Yes I think this is correct