Doing first year of a degree again - Mature student

artvanderlay

Hi there,

I went back to college as a second chance student in 2008-09 but because of financial woes I didn't finish the year (I wasn't entitled to Back to education allowance then and I lost the part-time job I had so was only surviving on the basic grant). I'm unemployed again and I'm looking at doing a degree again from this Sept - at present I would be entitled to the back to education allowance which would be a great help to me. I got the free fees and grant back in 2008-09 so I assume I'd have to pay the years fees to do first year again, but would I also have to pay that €2,000 Student contribution if I was on BTEA? Also, would I have to apply for the grant/free fees anyways even if I wasn't entitled to it for first year just so it would kick in again when I move on to second year?

Thanks for any advice.

Annasopra

artvanderlay wrote: »

Hi there,

I went back to college as a second chance student in 2008-09 but because of financial woes I didn't finish the year (I wasn't entitled to Back to education allowance then and I lost the part-time job I had so was only surviving on the basic grant). I'm unemployed again and I'm looking at doing a degree again from this Sept - at present I would be entitled to the back to education allowance which would be a great help to me. I got the free fees and grant back in 2008-09 so I assume I'd have to pay the years fees to do first year again, but would I also have to pay that €2,000 Student contribution if I was on BTEA? Also, would I have to apply for the grant/free fees anyways even if I wasn't entitled to it for first year just so it would kick in again when I move on to second year?

Thanks for any advice.

You would probably have to pay the student contribution of 2250 yourself - I don't think you would need to apply in 1st year - the best thing is probably to check with Dublin city VEC this summer because they will be administering all grants