Assistance for student

Mr.Boots

My wife and I have been out of work and both on social welfare. I have recently started a job and my wife in in part time college studying for a degree.
Her fees are €5000 per year.
The job I have taken isn't well paid but better than sitting on my ass.
Because I have taken a job her social welfare payme rs have stopped (€124 per week)
This is leaving us very tight to pay mortgage, fees, petrol,bills etc.
It is a private college so I don't think she can get a grant.
Is there anything we can do here to ease the situation?
Unfortuney I think we would both be better off financially if we were both on social welfare

ted1

Has she been to college before, if not then why not transfer to a regualr college and get free fees.

Lugh Ildanach

Do you have any kids? If so, then look at Family Income Supplement http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/BirthChildrenAndFamilies/ChildRelatedPayments/Pages/fis.aspx

If you were on Jobseekers payment for more than 12 months, then look at Revenue Job Assist to claim additional tax credits. http://www.welfare.ie/en/schemes/jobseekersupports/BackToWork/RevenueJobAssist/Pages/rja.aspx

Also, there is a tax relief that you can apply for fees that have been paid. You can claim maximum relief of 7000 Euro, although you cannot claim the first 1000 Euro for part-time courses. http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/tax_relief_for_third_level_fees.html

Mr.Boots

Thanx guys, transferring is out of the question as it is quite a specialised field.