BTEA - Told not to bother until August?

Fatboydim

Went into my local SWO today to tell them about my offer of a place - I'm doing a Masters on an exemption from doing a degree due to life experience - which last year at least meant I would qualify for BTEA [as I'm on JSA now] - The lady - who was nice enough said she couldn't do anything now as they were going to make small changes to the scheme and no one knew what they were yet - so come back in August. :rolleyes:

cee_jay

There are expected changes to the BTEA Guidelines this summer. Until those changes are released, decisions cannot be made on BTEA claims. A lot of offices won't even look at decisions until later in the summer either - at this time of year they are concentrating on those on BTEA who are finishing up for the summer.

Fatboydim

Yes that was pretty much what I was told.

Annasopra

Fatboydim wrote: »

Went into my local SWO today to tell them about my offer of a place - I'm doing a Masters on an exemption from doing a degree due to life experience - which last year at least meant I would qualify for BTEA [as I'm on JSA now] - The lady - who was nice enough said she couldn't do anything now as they were going to make small changes to the scheme and no one knew what they were yet - so come back in August. :rolleyes:

You generally will not get btea for a masters though there are some exceptions

Fatboydim

I'm the exception.

1.8.1 Postgraduate Study

From 1 January 2003, the postgraduate option of the Back To Education Allowance is payable only to persons who wish to pursue a postgraduate course of study that leads to a Higher Diploma (H.Dip.) qualification in any discipline or to persons in pursuit of a Professional Diploma in Education hitherto known as a Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary & Secondary Teaching) [NVQ Level 8].

Other types of postgraduate qualifications are not recognised for BTEA purposes. e.g. Masters, MA, MSc, M.Phil etc. However, there is an exception to the eligibility rule for Masters based on ‘life experience’ whereby a person is admitted to a Masters programme without a primary degree. The person needs confirmation from the college detailing the basis of their offer of a college place and confirming that it excludes the requirement to hold a primary degree. A small number of cases have arisen where a college has granted an exemption from the requirement to hold a primary degree and has admitted a person to a Master’s course on the basis of relevant life experience. In the context of the ongoing review of the operation of the scheme, it was decided to extend entitlement to back to education allowance in these instances on an exceptional basis. Under no circumstances will BTEA be awarded to a person who already holds a postgraduate qualification
Source: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/bte_all.aspx

Or at least would be based on last year.

Fatboydim

Which is why I was initially told to get in early. I should also qualify for fees [But obviously not maintenance grant]

Fatboydim

Went back in to SWLO today and still told to come back in August... Anyone else getting this? As it seems others are able to hand in their forms.

DRose1

Fatboydim wrote: »

1.8.1 Postgraduate Study

From 1 January 2003, the postgraduate option of the Back To Education Allowance is payable only to persons who wish to pursue a postgraduate course of study that leads to a Higher Diploma (H.Dip.) qualification in any discipline or to persons in pursuit of a Professional Diploma in Education hitherto known as a Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary & Secondary Teaching) [NVQ Level 8].

Other types of postgraduate qualifications are not recognised for BTEA purposes. e.g. Masters, MA, MSc, M.Phil etc.

Going by the above guidelines, how would my course be treated?

The 90 credits of Semesters 1 and 2 are core credits. 70 of the 90 credits are at Level 4, and 20 at Level 3. Students must obtain more than a 50% average in order to continue in the MSc stream in Semester 3. Thus, students may exit at this point with either a Graduate Certificate (30 ECTS) or a Higher Diploma (60 ECTS), provided they have obtained the appropriate number of credits.

If I told them that I only intended getting the Higher Diploma from my course, would I qualify for the BTEA? (I do qualify based on the other requirements).

Course Link - Msc Computer Science (Conversion) UCD

FWIW, I have rang my welfare local office and the lady on the phone didnt seem to have a clue and basically said they wont be processing applications until August (I didnt get into any specifics about what course I would be doing).

DRose1

Anyone have any idea on the above?

Any input would be appreciated.

Fatboydim

I think all you can do is get in touch with the people running your course - as you'll need to do that anyway - stating duration of course and the details of the qualification. Mine have done that... It's a similar thing were I have to gain the right marks to progress. Then put in your Beta application and hope for the best. Likewise at my SWLO they seem a little clueless. Or maybe it's just they are super cool and I'm uptight because I would like to know before I actually start attending that I can attend.

On the face of it - it seems to me that you should qualify. Then again I'm no expert only an applicant. Be prepared to fight your corner. Best of luck.

Keogh08

My husband is planning on going back to college and fulfills the regular BTEA requirements, he requested a BTE1 form from the welfare site, 3 copies got posted out to him, he filled it in & handed it into our local SWO two weeks ago, the lady he handed it into wasnt too sure when it would be processed. Yesterday a letter from the local SWO arrived stating that his application has been successful. Hope this helps.

DRose1

I am just going to go ahead and fill in the application form, hand it into the local office and see what happens.

Missdior12

That's weird because I handed mine in mid June still no answer from them tho.. They said there won't be one until I actually start college

mr.boombastic

I picked up a BTE1 form the other day and was told to fill it out and hand it in straight away, the thing is i get the impresson that if i was to speak to a different person in my SWO I would get a different answer!!!

Its frustrating not getting the answers youd like to hear! I presume once the application is completed and returned to the SWO and provided i get approval, the next step wont be until early september to provide the SWO with a letter of registration from the college and the BTEA will be activated!!

Heard a lot of different views on this but guessing this will be the procedure....

Missdior12

mr.boombastic wrote: »

I picked up a BTE1 form the other day and was told to fill it out and hand it in straight away, the thing is i get the impresson that if i was to speak to a different person in my SWO I would get a different answer!!!

Its frustrating not getting the answers youd like to hear! I presume once the application is completed and returned to the SWO and provided i get approval, the next step wont be until early september to provide the SWO with a letter of registration from the college and the BTEA will be activated!!

Heard a lot of different views on this but guessing this will be the procedure....

Don't mind them they know nothing about it!

Just make sure you tell them your waiting on the letter so they can atleast progress your application..
I'm hearing different things aswell now I'm getting worried
Good luck with yours.

mr.boombastic

Missdior12 wrote: »

Don't mind them they know nothing about it!

Just make sure you tell them your waiting on the letter so they can atleast progress your application..
I'm hearing different things aswell now I'm getting worried
Good luck with yours.

Cheers Missdior
Yeah im just going to hand it in and blag it!no harm!
No doubt ill be speaking to somebody else and they'll tell me something different....
CAO, BTEA, SUSI...... Paperwork & more paperwork..... Where does it end....

Keogh08

Just an update on my previous post, my husband got his course in the round zero cao offers two weeks ago. A registration pack arrived today and has to be returned by the 3rd August, one of the questions is "BTEA - I can produce a letter from my swo confirming my entitlement to this allowance"

I know every case differs but I would suggest getting the BT1 in ASAP.

mary_hayes

mango salsa wrote: »

You generally will not get btea for a masters though there are some exceptions

no way!? :eek:

Agent_99

mary_hayes wrote: »

no way!? :eek:

No BTEA for Masters

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.

B1977

Agent_99 wrote: »

No BTEA for Masters

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.[/QUOTE

Is there any exception to this ?
has anyone heard or know of someone that has been allowed to receive BTEA while doing a masters.
A Masters in Music is excempt

Fatboydim

B1977 wrote: »

Agent_99 wrote: »

No BTEA for Masters

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.[/QUOTE

Is there any exception to this ?
has anyone heard or know of someone that has been allowed to receive BTEA while doing a masters.
A Masters in Music is excempt

I fully expect to get BTEA but I qualify under the exemption as listed in post 5. I start of as Hdip and if I achieve the grades will qualify with a Masters. But I have no primary degree and get in on life experience. So it is exceptional. However of course I won't know until closer to the time if they will actually give me the BTEA. Though they have said under current rules I will get it.

DRose1

Completed the BTEA form and gathered all necessary documentation - Went into my local social welfare office and the 'lady' behind the window basically told me to f off and come back with the form sometime at the end of August. I told her my course would be starting in the first week of September; she didn't seem to care and just reiterated what she initially proclaimed.

It is just fantastic how they expect you to have a complete backup financial plan for the year ready and put into place, with only a week or less before the course begins in which to get it done* (if you are declined for the BTEA).

* I know you can put the bones of a backup plan together now, but there is only so much you can get done without knowing if you are going to have to put it into place.

mr.boombastic

DRose1 wrote: »

Completed the BTEA form and gathered all necessary documentation - Went into my local social welfare office and the 'lady' behind the window basically told me to f off and come back with the form sometime at the end of August. I told her my course would be starting in the first week of September; she didn't seem to care and just reiterated what she initially proclaimed.

It is just fantastic how they expect you to have a complete backup financial plan for the year ready and put into place, with only a week or less before the course begins in which to get it done* (if you are declined for the BTEA).

* I know you can put the bones of a backup plan together now, but there is only so much you can get done without knowing if you are going to have to put it into place.

Not surprised to hear of your experience with your BTEA application. Everytime i walk into my SWO looking for information i have an expectation that im going to get stuck with the witch who works behind the window. Fortunately for me anytime ive been speaking to anyone in my SWO they have been quite pleasent and very helpful. Last week i completed my BTEA apllication with attached required documents and handed it in with no issues!the youngish girl behind the window was very informative of the situation and procedure and told me that i would not hear anything till the end of August and provided i get approval the next step will be getting letter of registration from the college before the payments kick in. Whats strange is that there is so many contrasting stories about the BTEA process that even though it sounds very straightforward there is no doubt there will be more anxiousness and stress about the whole thing come early september.

Fatboydim

Finally got to hand in mine today... now I have to wait and see.

daffodil88

i'm doing the hdip in ed in nuim starting in sept.i have a MA so wont get a grant or btea.i'm unemployed right now.just wondering is there any other funding options for someone in my position?it looks like theres not too many but just thought id ask

Fatboydim

Got approved for BTEA today... Yes! Get in!:D