Money Worries

fizzyorange

Hey everyone.
I want to apply to NUIGs science course but am a bit concerned about the costs. I live in Dublin so would have to move up to Galway and I was just wondering if grants would cover most of the accomm and fees? I live with my nan who only gets social welfare so we don't have much money and was just wondering if many other people go up to NUIG in similar situations and get by? I'd hate to get in and then have to leave before I finished my degree due to lack of funds.
Thanks very much.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/maintenance_grant_schemes_for_students_on_third_level_courses.html#l62fd2

A full maintenance grant is €3025 at the non adjacent rate, it's €1215 for the adjacent rate, as far as I know the fees would be covered, I got a grant years back living at home with the folks and the grant covered the fees entirely. Many colleges though insist on close to 100% attendance to get the grant.

With budgeting it might be feasible to manage on that but if you got some summer work and saved up as much as you can it would be a great help If you are any way competent at all in the kitchen the grant would cover accommodation, food and modest living expenses so it's quite manageable in theory. You know yourself though with nights out etc, and of course you might well want to have a weekend back with your gran every few weeks, the bus fares wouldn't be insignificant either.

If you feel it's not an option there should be some science courses in Dublin that might be suitable too. I can see why you might want to do one in particular as I was in that boat myself many moons ago.

fizzyorange

Thanks very much. I'm actually eligible for the special rate so I am hoping I get it. I'm trying to get work during the summer so I'm hoping that'll help also.

I'm not a huge spender and would work well with a budget, I guess my fear now is just that the maintenance grant won't come in time for certain things that need to be paid. Or that I'd have to work a lot during the school year (I'd hate that because my plan is to get as much of the college experience as I can)

Thanks again.

Well the special rate is another €3000 almost from what I can gather. And the fees will be paid, if you get approved on time the fees aren't a concern. Once you're approved on time the grant arrives in a timely fashion. I dunno how student accommodation works though payment wise, might be no harm to have the credit union on side just in case, if you're working during the summer throwing a few quid a week into the your local CU may not be a bad idea to build up a relationship with them. I know borrowing from a CU wouldn't be ideal but if you are good with money and repay the loan as soon as the grant comes in than it's an option, you'd be servicing the loan for a short time and can make the repayment by direct debit from your bank account, no harm to have a safety net option like that.

Regarding living expenses, realistically if you can stick to a budget it should be very very possible to live quite comfortably with decent grub and packed lunched etc and not to be worrying too much about the financial side so you can concentrate on the academic and student side of life.

You should be grand. I lived in Galway for a year up to this time 2009, it's a lovely city, I was late 20s so far from a student but it's a really decent place.

Best of luck with everything.

jumpguy

You'll probably also be eligible for a few bob from the Student Assistant Fund (SAF) as well. Also, would you be eligible for HEAR? For more info on HEAR, click here and for more information on the NUIG SAF here.

Really though, if you get HEAR on top of your grant with special rate, you'll have enough money to comfortably pay for accommodation, enjoy a decent social life and pay day-to-day miscellaneous expenses.

fizzyorange

Yeah, I'm eligible for HEAR and SAF. It's great to know that these grants will cover most of my expenses.

I'll be applying for accomm after the NUIG opening day at the end of the month and thanks to the responses I'm a lot less worried about money now.

Also great idea about the CU, will open one up soon and put some regular money in.

christina_x

I get the €3,120 grant and that covers my rent and most of my bills for the year - I need to have the money to pay them as they arrive as the grant comes in 3 installments, but I get the money back when my grant comes in.
I work then during the summer and Sem 1 and got the HEAR grant, which left me sound for money most of the time until this week where I had to come home until my grant came in
So yeah... You should qualify for HEAR, get the 6k grant, and if you work during the summer you're flying - as long as you budget somehow! Like every week when your wages come in, take a weeks rent money out and put it in a separate account or even just in an envelope in your room - before you know it you have 3/4 months rent sitting in front of you already sorted

pinkballetdance

As far as I know if you open an account with Bank of Ireland on Campus, they give interest free grant advances and then just take the money back when its lodged! Hope this helps.

MadYaker

Rent in Galway is a lot cheaper than Dublin too. Are you just out of school or what? You really should do your best to get a summer job and save up as much money as possible. If you don't have any luck in dublin you could try getting a job in Galway and moving here a few months early, there should be lots of jobs going here with the volvo ocean race and race week and all the other stuff that happens here in the summer. Good luck.

Edit: just read above that you're eligible for a ton of grants, you won't even need a summer job! Wish I could get a f*cking grant, my parents earn too much so I can't get one but they don't give me a cent or let me live at home so I have to work my ass off at weekends/nights all through college.

fizzyorange

Thanks for all the replies.

pinkballetdance does that mean I could pay my rent and then pay BOI with my grant money when it comes in? If so that seriously makes me less worried about paying the best part of €2000 before the 31st of August!

MadYaker I've already applied for a few summer jobs around Dublin and I think I might get one of them. I'm so grateful for the grants and am saving any extra grant money for my post graduate in 3ish years, I'm a bit weird when it comes to planning ahead. :L That's really unlucky that you don't get any grant money. I know a few people in your situation and I think it's ridiculous that you aren't helped out.

RolandIRL

Also take a look at Student Finance. Handy site to see if there's anything else you might be eligible for