Independent non-mature student?

kaki

Hi lads,

I've spent my entire Sunday passing from one state of madness to another with my CAO and possible grant application, and have a few questions that I haven't been able to answer on my own. I'll probably try to call the CDVEC tomorrow, but in the meantime I'd appreciate all small rays of light that anyone might be able to help me shed on the situation.

So, I will be 22 in March of this year. I did my Leaving Cert in 2008, and went straight to work whilst living at home. I finished working in September 2009, and started studying a course (equivalent to a level 7) in Italy. Had no financial help from the Irish government, paid my fees and accommodation etc.

Unfortunately, I left this course at the start of 2010 and since then I have been supporting myself, working in Italy.

As I understand, this is my last year to avail of a student grant due to to 3 out of 5 residency requirement

My problems:

1) I have not seen a "non-mature independent student" being mentioned anywhere in all the docs I have read today. Does this category not exist as far as grants go? Would I still be assessed as a dependent (even though I clearly am not, and have gone to great lengths to not be a burden on my parents or the Irish taxpayer) until I satisfy the "23 on the 1st of January of the year prior to entry" requirement? Which would probably necessitate me returning to Ireland, and signing on for 2 years in which time new caveats and rules would probably be tacked onto the student finance schemes.

2) I have seen that enrolling on a course and subsequently dropping out negates one from applying for financial assistance for the first year of one's degree. Would this apply in my case, seeing as the course was not held in Ireland and I did not request or receive any financial help from the Irish government?

3) Are there any scholarships available, aside from student maintenance grants? I got 600 points in my LC, back in 2008, but most of the schemes I have looked at only take new-entry students into account (i.e. for academic year 2012/2013, those who sit the Leaving Cert in 2012). I have seen one for the Institute of Technology Carlow, however it is only €1200 which wouldn't come close to covering college expenses.

Thanks -

Tree

Independant non-mature effectively doesnt exist. If you can prove that you are estranged from both your parents there may be some leeway.

If you're starting a level 8 that would be seen as progression, so you may be entitled to the free fees. Against a level 7 you'd have to discuss that with the college you intend to apply for.

You can apply to your college's student assistance fund. As regards getting high points in your leaving, I would get in contact with your intended college. I have a friend who received such a scholarship four years after he did the leaving, but that particular scholarship was related to the course he was doing too (i think they were trying to tempt more academic candidates than just people who "got the points").

kaki

Tree, thanks for your help. Looks a bit bleak alright, I will try speaking directly to the college to see what's what.

Annasopra

1 - your parents income would have to be assessed
2 - given that this was in Italy - I don't think it matters
3 -scholarships - haven't a clue