Cant afford college, have to leave home

LegacyUser

Hi,
I'm a first year in University at the moment but I think that I'm going to have to drop out.

Due to issues at home I have no choice but to move out.
I lost my part time job on St. Stephens day when the store closed down.

Im currently getting around €800 3 times per year from the student grant and that is everything. Since I have to move put I will have to pay for rent and utility bills and what ever else pops up. I simply can not afford this on the grant.

If I cant get any more money then I will have no choice but to drop out.

Is there any other funding or anything that can financially help me while in college.

I tried asking St. Vincent de Paul but I was told that because Maynooth is on some list they cant help me. They gave me €60 tescos vouchers and that was it.

Oryx

Sorry if this is an obvious question, but have you asked at the college about funding?

And while I know nothing of the grant system, is there any way it can be increased if youre not living at home?

Roisy7

You should be entitled to the full grant if you are living by yourself and receiving no help from your family. You might have to reapply to your council/VEC though and that would take time. I'd advise ringing them and inquiring.

Your next best bet is your SU. They will not let you drop out and should fight your cause. There's a student assistance fund but the deadline has passed, but they might be able do something for you, I know some colleges have money in reserve for emergency assistance.

There's the Access office in every college, they're really helpful too.

There's always the bank for a loan or overdraft, or probably a better bet is your credit union.

I know how tough it is, but try every option you can to stay in college, just think your prospects are better with the degree than without! Good luck

eadire

ok for starters the grant will not give you a full grant just because you are not living at home as I know from experience and secondly maynooth are very understanding and might help you out if you ask them. Just try it no harm in checking they might be able to get you working hours in the college or something to help pay for it or might give you somewhere on campus to live.
hope this helps

Danniboo

OP, can your parents assist you as i'm presuming they're earning a decent wage if your not entitled to the full grant? Do you absolutely have to move? Have you been looking for another part time job?

LegacyUser

Hey bud,

I go to Maynooth too so I know how things works. First of all, you should go to Rose (the Academic Advisor) and discuss with her your situation. She will probably send you on to student services who can give you what's called an emergency student fund which can be around 500-600 quid depending on circumstances. You can reapply for this as much as possible, I think, so make sure to look into that. There is also another emergency fund that will give you a few quid to see you through untll your application for the assistance fund is approved. They usually give you around 50 euro for the week just to make sure you don't starve.

My first port of call would be Rose (http://academicadvisory.nuim.ie/) but then I'd also call into the S.U. and have a chat to Fiach (the Welfare Officer). Explain the situation to him and I'd say he'd help.

Also, Rose will know better than this, but I'd contact your county council sooner rather than later. Because your circumstances have changed, they might increase your next installment... but you might just have to wait until next year to avail of that.

Sit tight, and look for help. One thing I've learned in Maynooth is that people look after each other. You're not going to be stranded. You will get through this. And we have fantastic support staff here. Go and reach out and get yourself through this.