Assistance for Kings Inns??

tweedledee

If you get free fees and are eligible for the VEC grant or BTEA scheme for Uni,is it possible to get the same funding for barrister degree in Kings Inns??? Many thanks for replies.

Agent_99

AFAIK
Is Kings Inn a private set up ? I don't think you can get a grant, either pay privately or sponsored but law firm.

Postgraduate courses

You can get the Back to Education Allowance for a postgraduate course of study that leads to a Higher Diploma (H.Dip.) qualification in any discipline or a Graduate Diploma in Education (primary and secondary teaching).

Other types of postgraduate qualifications are not recognised for BTEA.

You will not get BTEA if you already have a postgraduate qualification.

Annasopra

tweedledee wrote: »

If you get free fees and are eligible for the VEC grant or BTEA scheme for Uni,is it possible to get the same funding for barrister degree in Kings Inns??? Many thanks for replies.

I think you might be able to get a grant towards the fees only

tweedledee

Thanks guys I appreciate the feedback, apparently yeah fees are covered by the free fees scheme but no grants or BTEA available, thanks again

OldNotWIse

tweedledee wrote: »

Thanks guys I appreciate the feedback, apparently yeah fees are covered by the free fees scheme but no grants or BTEA available, thanks again

So sorry to bump but really panicking as I cant seem to find any info re this. Can you qualify for free fees if you already hold a a degree?

retroactive

There are two bursaries available each year to KI students. One is for the Highest result in the entrance exams and the other is the McCarthy Bursary which involves essay writting and a paid trip to Strasbourg. The McCarthy Bursary in particular is definitely worth applying for.

As for Co Co grants, students in my year (this year) have been award grants but it was mentioned that it will be harder for students in future as the Co Co / VEC grant has been scraped for post graduates.

King's Inns is or was assessed as a Level 10 Qualification for grant purposes (making it akin to applying for Phd funding)

Please take the second two paragraphs with a pinch of salt as it is third hand information.

OldNotWIse

Sounds complicated Just received a letter saying my app was successful, and fees must be paid within ten days. I doubt grant apps will be processed before then???? What do ppl usually do in these situations? Bridging loans? Or do colleges accept late payments pending a grant?

retroactive

You submit proof of your grant application and pay the reg fee - 70 odd euro. Then pray.

OldNotWIse

retroactive wrote: »

You submit proof of your grant application and pay the reg fee - 70 odd euro. Then pray.

Paid the 100 application fee when I applied online. It seems now you cant have fees for dip in legal studies paid, only degree Have to find 5k to keep my place..looks around....:rolleyes: As for praying, I think I'll start now lol

retroactive

100? I thought it was €600 for the entrance exams.

I can't imagine what studying for the entrance is like with the question of "Can I afford this?" looming in the background.

Have you thought about doing the degree year via the modular option? It would really spread the cost.

(I'm assuming you're talking about the degree year and not the dip.)

The full grant was short €10 of covering a friends degree fees.. So a year goes by and we're waiting on our results. Post man arrives in each of our houses. Excitement, joy, devastation, anguish. Except for my friend, he didn't recieve his results. He rings Inns and is informed that his results are being witheld until he pays them the €10.

He passed in the end. You can take two things from this story 1. Being short with a fee and grant combination isn't fatal to your year and 2. The inns can seem akin to Shylock sometimes but they can be very flexible if they know that they will eventually get the money.

retroactive

Also - I'm not sure of your age, background or financial status but please think about the following.

Cost
KI is a fantastic qualification, it is a month since I graduated and it is already opening up doors for me. BUT. It is a very very expensive year.

Books, printing, travel, suits, Wine, Wine, Wine all add to the cost. Opportunities such as intervarsity mooting, international mooting, a course in advocacy with the John Marshall Law School, the wine all come with a price.

For some people, the cost can very quickly out weigh the benefits. Should you wish to do it cheaply, you wont get the full benefit out of it.

Did I mention the wine? There's a little bit of drinking involved.

An example of the hidden cost would be the call to the bar. You need (By which it is complusory) -

Shirt with a detachable collar 60
Gown 260
Wig 600
Tabs 16
and Studs 3

That is the guts of a grand and doesn't appear the schedule of fees.



Professional Future
It will be 5-7 years as a barrister before you see anything you could remotely consider to be income. There simply is no money in it anymore.

The legal discussion forum goes into greater detail on the problems facing barristers, but it cannot be emphasised enough. Being an advocate is condemning yourself to poverty.

OldNotWIse

retroactive wrote: »

100? I thought it was €600 for the entrance exams.

I can't imagine what studying for the entrance is like with the question of "Can I afford this?" looming in the background.

Have you thought about doing the degree year via the modular option? It would really spread the cost.

(I'm assuming you're talking about the degree year and not the dip.)

The full grant was short €10 of covering a friends degree fees.. So a year goes by and we're waiting on our results. Post man arrives in each of our houses. Excitement, joy, devastation, anguish. Except for my friend, he didn't recieve his results. He rings Inns and is informed that his results are being witheld until he pays them the €10.

He passed in the end. You can take two things from this story 1. Being short with a fee and grant combination isn't fatal to your year and 2. The inns can seem akin to Shylock sometimes but they can be very flexible if they know that they will eventually get the money.

hmmmm good to know. Sorry I should have specified, its the dip I applied for. I know that the degree fees are covered by grant and I stupidly assumed that the dip would be too. Serves me right I suppose.

OldNotWIse

retroactive wrote: »

Also - I'm not sure of your age, background or financial status but please think about the following.

Cost
KI is a fantastic qualification, it is a month since I graduated and it is already opening up doors for me. BUT. It is a very very expensive year.

Books, printing, travel, suits, Wine, Wine, Wine all add to the cost. Opportunities such as intervarsity mooting, international mooting, a course in advocacy with the John Marshall Law School, the wine all come with a price.

For some people, the cost can very quickly out weigh the benefits. Should you wish to do it cheaply, you wont get the full benefit out of it.

Did I mention the wine? There's a little bit of drinking involved.

An example of the hidden cost would be the call to the bar. You need (By which it is complusory) -

Shirt with a detachable collar 60
Gown 260
Wig 600
Tabs 16
and Studs 3

That is the guts of a grand and doesn't appear the schedule of fees.



Professional Future
It will be 5-7 years as a barrister before you see anything you could remotely consider to be income. There simply is no money in it anymore.

The legal discussion forum goes into greater detail on the problems facing barristers, but it cannot be emphasised enough. Being an advocate is condemning yourself to poverty.

Thanks for the info. I have made my mind up already but I appreciate your post - nothing like a good heads up!