Returning to College as a Mature Student.

Benduko

I'm hoping to go back to College in Cork this September but I'm not sure if I can manage the full fees. I did 3 years of a degree when I left school originally but dropped out in 2008. I'm unemployed atm.

Does anyone know if I'll have to pay the full whack? Could I avail of free fees?

EduOfficer

I assume you are going back to do a degree again at the same level?

According to this section on Studentfinance.ie

Tuition fees will be paid in respect of eligible students who, having attended but not completed approved courses, are returning following a break of at least five years in order to pursue approved courses at the same level in the 2010/2011 academic year.

I would assume that the above quoted arrangement is in place for the next academic year as well but it might be best to just ring the academic affairs office in your chosen college and ask them.

If you did 3 years and dropped out in 2008, you may need to wait a little longer to reach the 5 years. Otherwise you will have to pay tuition fees for the first 3 years as you have already claimed the free fees for those 3 years - you would not have to pay for any subsequent years. Unfortunately you would also not be eligible for a student grant, even if you didn't claim one before.

Benduko

EduOfficer wrote: »

I assume you are going back to do a degree again at the same level?

Yeah, same level.

EduOfficer wrote: »

I would assume that the above quoted arrangement is in place for the next academic year as well but it might be best to just ring the academic affairs office in your chosen college and ask them.

If you did 3 years and dropped out in 2008, you may need to wait a little longer to reach the 5 years. Otherwise you will have to pay tuition fees for the first 3 years as you have already claimed the free fees for those 3 years - you would not have to pay for any subsequent years. Unfortunately you would also not be eligible for a student grant, even if you didn't claim one before.

Damn, I wish I dropped out earlier. I wonder is there any way around the 5 year requirement, I really can't afford the fees and waiting around another year seems like a waste of time.

Thanks for the info, very helpful.

augusta24

Are you on jobseekers? Maybe you could get the btea?

Benduko wrote: »

EduOfficer wrote: »

I assume you are going back to do a degree again at the same level?

Yeah, same level.

EduOfficer wrote: »

I would assume that the above quoted arrangement is in place for the next academic year as well but it might be best to just ring the academic affairs office in your chosen college and ask them.

If you did 3 years and dropped out in 2008, you may need to wait a little longer to reach the 5 years. Otherwise you will have to pay tuition fees for the first 3 years as you have already claimed the free fees for those 3 years - you would not have to pay for any subsequent years. Unfortunately you would also not be eligible for a student grant, even if you didn't claim one before.

Damn, I wish I dropped out earlier. I wonder is there any way around the 5 year requirement, I really can't afford the fees and waiting around another year seems like a waste of time.

Thanks for the info, very helpful.

Benduko

augusta24 wrote: »

Are you on jobseekers? Maybe you could get the btea?

Yeah, on jobseekers, but even so I'll have to pay around 6 - 7 grand fees. Student contribution + Tuition fees. I'd have no problem with the Student contribution, I could get a loan, but 7 grand a year is serious.

Benduko

EduOfficer wrote: »

If you did 3 years and dropped out in 2008, you may need to wait a little longer to reach the 5 years. Otherwise you will have to pay tuition fees for the first 3 years as you have already claimed the free fees for those 3 years - you would not have to pay for any subsequent years. Unfortunately you would also not be eligible for a student grant, even if you didn't claim one before.

Is it 5 years from the day you dropped out or 5 academic years?

I was thinking, I dropped out in '08 but it was the 07/08 academic year, not 08/09, I wonder would that matter, 12/13 is five academic years later, long shot.

ted1

Benduko wrote: »

Yeah, same level.



Damn, I wish I dropped out earlier. I wonder is there any way around the 5 year requirement, I really can't afford the fees and waiting around another year seems like a waste of time.

Thanks for the info, very helpful.

Maybe you shouldn't have dropped out at all. What was you original course, maybe you can use some of it do be excluded.from certain subjects of the new course making it cheaper

Benduko

ted1 wrote: »

What was you original course, maybe you can use some of it do be excluded.from certain subjects of the new course making it cheaper

I was studying Actuary in Dublin, I'm hoping to study Psychology in Cork.

ted1 wrote: »

Maybe you shouldn't have dropped out at all.