Financial Aid for Postgrad

Zippacat

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to figure out if there is any possibility of me receiving a grant for my H Dip for the upcoming academic year. I know there have been several changes in Higher Education funding after the Budget but am unclear whether or not i can receive a grant.

I have a BA degree and an MA degree. I am 24 and received grants for both the MA and BA. The grants were the highest level with the top up for people in particularly difficult financial situations. I am wondering are there any financial aid options available to me for the H Dip? For example, if I can't apply for a full grant could I apply to have my fees paid maybe?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Zippcat

blindside88

As far as I know there is no grant available for post grad courses anymore (open to correction on this)

Slightly getting off point but I think that there should be no grant for post grad courses anyway (not trying to have a personal pop, just an opinion based on my own college back ground)

snubbleste

You won't get fees or a grant.
In order to get fees paid for and (any) maintenance grant, you need to be progressing up the education scale. Since the MA is at a higher level than a HDip, you'll get nada.

Zippacat

Ok thanks. Was just wondering if there was anything I could gave applied for to help with the costs.

niner99

blindside88 wrote: »

As far as I know there is no grant available for post grad courses anymore (open to correction on this)

Slightly getting off point but I think that there should be no grant for post grad courses anyway (not trying to have a personal pop, just an opinion based on my own college back ground)

I am almost finished a PGCE in Biology and have applied for a Higher Education Grant, it has been refused but I will be appealing and looking for a reassessment given my circumstances have changed since the duration of the course. I do not understand why you think there should be no grant available for post grad courses? Are you referring to post grad courses of one year duration, 4 year duration or in general? Just curious as to your reasoning.

Check out studentfinance.ie for advice and tips as well

blindside88

niner99 wrote: »

blindside88 wrote: »

As far as I know there is no grant available for post grad courses anymore (open to correction on this)

Slightly getting off point but I think that there should be no grant for post grad courses anyway (not trying to have a personal pop, just an opinion based on my own college back ground)

I am almost finished a PGCE in Biology and have applied for a Higher Education Grant, it has been refused but I will be appealing and looking for a reassessment given my circumstances have changed since the duration of the course. I do not understand why you think there should be no grant available for post grad courses? Are you referring to post grad courses of one year duration, 4 year duration or in general? Just curious as to your reasoning.

Check out studentfinance.ie for advice and tips as well

I went straight from school and did a degree which I paid for myself through working evenings and weekends, at the same time my cousin (who had gone straight on the dole for a number of years after leaving school) started a degree on back to education while getting a grant and dole (I got no grant because of my patents income which I got none of). After finishing the degree I got a job because I could not afford to continue any further. He on the other hand dud a masters while still getting dole and a grant. I am more than happy for the state to pay for education for those who cannot afford it, upto degree level, after that I believe the state has given enough especially considering the state finances

eastbono

blindside88 wrote: »

I went straight from school and did a degree which I paid for myself through working evenings and weekends, at the same time my cousin (who had gone straight on the dole for a number of years after leaving school) started a degree on back to education while getting a grant and dole (I got no grant because of my patents income which I got none of). After finishing the degree I got a job because I could not afford to continue any further. He on the other hand dud a masters while still getting dole and a grant. I am more than happy for the state to pay for education for those who cannot afford it, upto degree level, after that I believe the state has given enough especially considering the state finances

I dont know how long ago your cousin got unemployment benefit/assistance while doing a masters but you cannot receive btea or unemployment benefit/assistance whilst doing a Masters. Someone doing a H.Dip or PGDE as it is known as now can receive btea if they meet the criteria.

blindside88

Sorry it was btea he was given and also a grant

Balagan

Only way your cousin could have received BTEA for a Masters is under the exception where a Masters student can get BTEA when the University excuses the student from doing a primary degree due to their life experience and lets them go direct to a Masters.

Otherwise, someone holding a primary degree cannot get BTEA for a Masters.

The postgraduate option of the BTEA scheme is only for people who wish to take:

a postgraduate course of study that leads to any Higher Diploma (H. Dip.) qualification in any discipline, or
a postgraduate Diploma in Education (Primary or Secondary teaching).
Other postgraduate qualifications including a Master's degree are not recognised for BTEA purposes.
http://www.welfare.ie/en/publications/sw70/pages/abacktoeducationallowancebtea.aspx