***Grant Regulations for Masters Students from 2012/2013 onward***

Aoibheann

Just to note, as it has come up in many threads here, the below are the regulations on grants for Masters students in the upcoming academic year:

Students entering new postgraduate courses from the 2012-13 academic year onwards will not be entitled to any maintenance payment under the Student Grant scheme. However, students on the lowest level of income entering new postgraduate courses from the 2012-13 academic year who qualify for the special rate of grant will be eligible to qualify to have tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit under the Student Grant scheme
A limited number of other low-income students who would previously have qualified under the standard grant thresholds will qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the costs of their fees. However, there will be a new income threshold for this payment which will be lower than the standard grant threshold. The income threshold for this level of grant is currently being determined in the context of the formulation of the student grant scheme for the 2012-13 year.

Source here.

Mr.Plough

Hi, I started my masters in february, and will finish just after xmas. As I entered it in the 2011/2012 academic year and finish in the 2012/2013, how would I go about applying? Just apply as normal when it opens this year?

I've already paid the fees myself and never applied last year as I moved house a few times etc

Annasopra

Mr.Plough wrote: »

Hi, I started my masters in february, and will finish just after xmas. As I entered it in the 2011/2012 academic year and finish in the 2012/2013, how would I go about applying? Just apply as normal when it opens this year?

I've already paid the fees myself and never applied last year as I moved house a few times etc

I think it might be too late to apply - I'm not really sure

Maybe ring SUSI support at 0761 08 7874

forfcksake

was any information released on the financial cut off point for the masters funding?

Annasopra

forfcksake wrote: »

was any information released on the financial cut off point for the masters funding?

Read the documents called student grant scheme 2012 and student suppory scheme 2012 at - do a search in them for postgraduate.

http://ym.adnet.ie/mp9519/further-downloads/index.html

1630

mango salsa wrote: »

forfcksake wrote: »

was any information released on the financial cut off point for the masters funding?

Read the documents called student grant scheme 2012 and student suppory scheme 2012 at - do a search in them for postgraduate.

http://ym.adnet.ie/mp9519/further-downloads/index.html

This may be a silly question but what tution student mean? I have read this document numerous times but I'm still none the wiser on if postgraduate students are entitled to fees paid or what, can anyone shed some light on the situation

CommanderC

So you can potentially have your postgrad fees paid ? Subject to income levels ?

or am I misunderstanding this ?

1630

wrong info

Annasopra

1630 wrote: »

Sorry I still don't get this what is the postgraduate fee contribution? And does that apply to tution fees. For instance if I'm living at home with 0-3 dependants with an income level of under 45k, am I entitled to anything?

Now I'm really confused myself. I don't know - better off contacting susi support

CommanderC

I've had a read through the website and as far as I can see postgrads are eligible to apply for €2000 towards their fees, if their income is below 31,500. That's the postgrad fee contribution. Thats all, unless you qualify under the special rate conditions.

Postgraduate Fee Contribution

Applicants pursuing postgraduate studies whose reckonable income is below the limit specified for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution in Schedule 1 of the Student Grant Scheme 2012 may be eligible for a €2,000 contribution towards the costs of their fees.

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9552/grant-levels/index.html

Annasopra

CommanderC wrote: »

I've had a read through the website and as far as I can see postgrads are eligible to apply for €2000 towards their fees, if their income is below 31,500. That's the postgrad fee contribution. Thats all, unless you qualify under the special rate conditions.

Postgraduate Fee Contribution

Applicants pursuing postgraduate studies whose reckonable income is below the limit specified for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution in Schedule 1 of the Student Grant Scheme 2012 may be eligible for a €2,000 contribution towards the costs of their fees.

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9552/grant-levels/index.html

Where's the paragraph about the special rate that you mention?

1630

CommanderC wrote: »

I've had a read through the website and as far as I can see postgrads are eligible to apply for €2000 towards their fees, if their income is below 31,500. That's the postgrad fee contribution. Thats all, unless you qualify under the special rate conditions.

Postgraduate Fee Contribution

Applicants pursuing postgraduate studies whose reckonable income is below the limit specified for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution in Schedule 1 of the Student Grant Scheme 2012 may be eligible for a €2,000 contribution towards the costs of their fees.

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9552/grant-levels/index.html

Would that income level apply to what I have earned in the past year or would it depend on where I'm living

CommanderC

That was from citizens advice.


I just rang SUSI there, but I'm more confused about the situation.

1630

CommanderC wrote: »

That was from citizens advice.


I just rang SUSI there, but I'm more confused about the situation.

Yeah nothing is clear at all is it, what the SUSI say? Do you have a number I can call them on?

CommanderC

Yeah the number is 0761 08 7874

The guy basically said, just go to schedule 1 and the income limits there, are the ones you need to look at . I told him I was enquiring regarding postgad study, not undergrad study and he said that that fine and again, to look at the income limits to see what is applicable ie 100%, 75% etc.

He also said that there are no maintenance grants.

I guess I still find it confusing because of the inclusion of the postgrad fee contribution. I thought this was replacing all grants that were formerly available to postgrads but is that something you can get on top your fees if your income is below 31,500. (I should have asked that also- I might ring again.

Annasopra

CommanderC wrote: »

Yeah the number is 0761 08 7874

The guy basically said, just go to schedule 1 and the income limits there, are the ones you need to look at . I told him I was enquiring regarding postgad study, not undergrad study and he said that that fine and again, to look at the income limits to see what is applicable ie 100%, 75% etc.

He also said that there are no maintenance grants.

I guess I still find it confusing because of the inclusion of the postgrad fee contribution. I thought this was replacing all grants that were formerly available to postgrads but is that something you can get on top your fees if your income is below 31,500. (I should have asked that also- I might ring again.

I'd ring them back. It's not clear at all.

1630

mango salsa wrote: »

CommanderC wrote: »

Yeah the number is 0761 08 7874

The guy basically said, just go to schedule 1 and the income limits there, are the ones you need to look at . I told him I was enquiring regarding postgad study, not undergrad study and he said that that fine and again, to look at the income limits to see what is applicable ie 100%, 75% etc.

He also said that there are no maintenance grants.

I guess I still find it confusing because of the inclusion of the postgrad fee contribution. I thought this was replacing all grants that were formerly available to postgrads but is that something you can get on top your fees if your income is below 31,500. (I should have asked that also- I might ring again.

I'd ring them back. It's not clear at all.

Yeah that's what seems to be confusing all of us, that postgraduate contribution. I will try ringing them at lunch and get back to yous here

Annasopra

1630 wrote: »

Yeah that's what seems to be confusing all of us, that postgraduate contribution. I will try ringing them at lunch and get back to yous here

I think I've finally figured this out

1 if you earn less than 31500 you can get a contribution of 2000 towards fees
2 if you qualify for the special rate (i.e. earning less than 22,703 and receiving a social welfare payment) then you can get a fee grant of upto €6,270 which ties in with what CommanderC said

sarah88

mango salsa wrote: »

I think I've finally figured this out

1 if you earn less than 31500 you can get a contribution of 2000 towards fees
2 if you qualify for the special rate (i.e. earning less than 22,703 and receiving a social welfare payment) then you can get a fee grant of upto €6,270 which ties in with what CommanderC said

I think you are right mango salsa, this is what citizens information also sayes.

spunkbass

What if I earn less than 22,703 and I have never applied for social welfare? Then I am not eligible for the 6270?

sarah88

spunkbass wrote: »

What if I earn less than 22,703 and I have never applied for social welfare? Then I am not eligible for the 6270?

Yes thats what I gather, unless you are dependant on your parents, and they are in reciept of social welfare. Then both your's and your parents incomes will be combined. If that total is under 22,703 you are classed under the special rate and can get your fee's paid.

Annasopra

spunkbass wrote: »

What if I earn less than 22,703 and I have never applied for social welfare? Then I am not eligible for the 6270?

Yes

(7) It is a condition of receiving a special rate of maintenance grant that an applicant’s reckonable income must include, on the specified date, one of the eligible payments as provided for in Schedule 2 .

Eligible payments for the special rate of maintenance grant for the
2012/13 academic year

As at 31 December 2011, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible payments listed in this Schedule net of—
(a) income disregards (as set out in article 22(4) of this Scheme); and
(b) Child Dependant Increase (C.D.I.), where paid by the Department of Social Protection.

Social Assistance Payments
1. Blind Pension
2. Carer’s Allowance
3. One Parent Family Payment
4. Deserted Wife’s Allowance
5. Disability Allowance
6. Farm Assist
7. Jobseeker’s Allowance (where held for 391 days or more)*
8. State Pension (Non-Contributory)
9. Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory)
10. Pre-retirement allowance
11. Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partners (Non-Contributory) Pension

Social Insurance Payments
12. Carer’s Benefit
13. Deserted Wife’s Benefit
14. Invalidity pension
15. Incapacity Supplement
16. Occupational Injuries Death Benefit (Orphan’s pension)
17. Occupational Injuries Death Benefit (pension for a widow or widower)
18. State Pension (Contributory)
19. Guardian’s Payment (Contributory)
20. Jobseeker’s Benefit (continuous for at least 12 months)*
21. Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partners (Contributory) Pension
22. State Pension (Transition)

Designated Programmes
23. Back to Education Allowance (Second Level and Third Level Options)
24. Back to Work Allowance (Employees)
25. Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
26. Community Employment Scheme
27. Rural Social Scheme
28. Tús Initiative
29. FÁS Training Programmes, including Apprenticeships
30. Part time job incentive scheme
31. Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)

Others
32. Foster Care Allowance where paid in respect of the applicant
33. Family Income Supplement (FIS)
34. In receipt of payments under the FIT (Fastrack to IT) initiative equivalent
to a social welfare payment;
35. Participants on a training course approved by a Government Department,
State Agency or Area Partnership and who were in receipt of an eligible
payment prior to progressing to the programme;
36. Grant aided employees in Community Services Programmes (formerly
social economy enterprises);
37. In receipt of payments under the Senior Traveller Training Centre programmes.

*Combine periods of Jobseeker’s Allowance and Jobseeker’s Benefit and other eligible payments for purposes of meeting 391 days.

The Department of Social Protection Illness Benefit can also be used to combine periods of Jobseeker’s Allowance and Jobseeker’s Benefit provided a period of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit comes directly before and directly after the period of Illness Benefit.

spunkbass

Well i have to kiss my postgrad goodbye then....

I earned 4 times less than 22000, but never applied for a social welfare benefit of any kind, i was dependent on my parents last year, who earned less than that amount as well. I just don't understand - according to this logic if I had got paid EXTRA from the social welfare office then I would be eligible, but now that I earned too little money I am not.

spunkbass

So the best option is to go on the dole for a year and then I can get the fees paid next year. Great System - gives me a great incentive to make money for this government.

Annasopra

spunkbass wrote: »

Well i have to kiss my postgrad goodbye then....

I earned 4 times less than 22000, but never applied for a social welfare benefit of any kind, i was dependent on my parents last year, who earned less than that amount as well. I just don't understand - according to this logic if I had got paid EXTRA from the social welfare office then I would be eligible, but now that I earned too little money I am not.

what about your parents - did they not receive any social welfare payment?

1630

mango salsa wrote: »

spunkbass wrote: »

Well i have to kiss my postgrad goodbye then....

I earned 4 times less than 22000, but never applied for a social welfare benefit of any kind, i was dependent on my parents last year, who earned less than that amount as well. I just don't understand - according to this logic if I had got paid EXTRA from the social welfare office then I would be eligible, but now that I earned too little money I am not.

what about your parents - did they not receive any social welfare payment?

So if I am working at the moment up until September and am on under 31k, am I elligible for the postgraduate contribution. I will be living at home for the duration of the course and my parents would be on more than 31k. Would it go by my earnings or my parents if im living there?

sarah88

I am still assuming that if you earn under 31500e you can recieve 2000e towards your fee's and do not have to be in reciept of social welfere. I know that still leave's a bill of over 4000e, it's a terrible system which is going to leave a lot of people either unable to progress to a masters, or land themselves with a huge bill at the end.

spunkbass

mango salsa wrote: »

what about your parents - did they not receive any social welfare payment?

My mother (single parent) is unfortunately not Irish and does not live in Ireland.

No wonder this country is bankrupt. I will now have to claim 200 euro every week for unemployment to get the country to pay me 6270 for my fees 2013/2014. Great system...

CommanderC

1630 wrote: »

So if I am working at the moment up until September and am on under 31k, am I elligible for the postgraduate contribution. I will be living at home for the duration of the course and my parents would be on more than 31k. Would it go by my earnings or my parents if im living there?

They look at income earned from the 1st of Jan to the 31st of December 2011.

Depending on what your circumstances were last year, the income assessedcould be yours and your parents, yours and your spouse/partner or your alone. It depends on what kind of applicant you are:

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9545/step-1-check-what-type-of-applicant-you-are/index.html

CommanderC

sarah88 wrote: »

I am still assuming that if you earn under 31500e you can recieve 2000e towards your fee's and do not have to be in reciept of social welfere. I know that still leave's a bill of over 4000e, it's a terrible system which is going to leave a lot of people either unable to progress to a masters, or land themselves with a huge bill at the end.

Yeah, you don't have to be on social welfare. Once your total income is below 31,500 you are eligible for the 2,000 towards your fees.

CommanderC

This page is now available on the studentfinance.ie

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9543/postgraduate-students/index.html

Students entering new postgraduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards will not be entitled to any maintenance payment under the Student Grant Scheme 2012.


I think they should have worded this differently. Its not just the maintenance payment that applicants are no longer entitled to, its fees as well............except in circumstances where you meet the special rate or the PFC of €2,000.

They have made it sound like the maintenance part is gone but fees are still a possibility

That's just my opinion though

spunkbass

CommanderC wrote: »

This page is now available on the studentfinance.ie

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9543/postgraduate-students/index.html

Students entering new postgraduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards will not be entitled to any maintenance payment under the Student Grant Scheme 2012.


I think they should have worded this differently. Its not just the maintenance payment that applicants are no longer entitled to, its fees as well............except in circumstances where you meet the special rate or the PFC of €2,000.

They have made it sound like the maintenance part is gone but fees are still a possibility

That's just my opinion though

That is very true. I based my decision to apply for postgrad (and pay the deposit for it) based on this information.

1630

spunkbass wrote: »

CommanderC wrote: »

This page is now available on the studentfinance.ie

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9543/postgraduate-students/index.html

Students entering new postgraduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards will not be entitled to any maintenance payment under the Student Grant Scheme 2012.


I think they should have worded this differently. Its not just the maintenance payment that applicants are no longer entitled to, its fees as well............except in circumstances where you meet the special rate or the PFC of €2,000.

They have made it sound like the maintenance part is gone but fees are still a possibility

That's just my opinion though

That is very true. I based my decision to apply for postgrad (and pay the deposit for it) based on this information.

Joke of a system alright, is there registeration fees on this top of this?or is it just the course fees that need to be paid?

Tax relief can be claimed back on the fees though yes?

longhalloween

Can you get a grant if applying for a second level 8 course?

EDIT: Read the documentation regarding a 3 year wait between courses.

Annasopra

CommanderC wrote: »

This page is now available on the studentfinance.ie

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9543/postgraduate-students/index.html

Students entering new postgraduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards will not be entitled to any maintenance payment under the Student Grant Scheme 2012.


I think they should have worded this differently. Its not just the maintenance payment that applicants are no longer entitled to, its fees as well............except in circumstances where you meet the special rate or the PFC of €2,000.

They have made it sound like the maintenance part is gone but fees are still a possibility

That's just my opinion though

This paragraph explains it a bit better

(11) Notwithstanding paragraph (9), a student or tuition student may be eligible for a fee grant if he or she is pursuing a postgraduate course and the applicant’s reckonable income meets the qualifying conditions for the Special Rate as specified in Schedule 1 and Schedule 2.

lauras91

Wow, could they have made things more unclear and confusing?
Just to put my own mind at ease, I'm pretty sure I qualify for the special rate (my dad is on social welfare, both our incomes combined are below 20,000 for 2011, mam doesn't work). So, I should get ALL fees paid for my masters?
I should probably just ring SUSI and ask, but they don't seem to be clearing things up!
Really need to know this before I pay €200 to accept the course!
Thanks!

spunkbass

lauras91 wrote: »

Wow, could they have made things more unclear and confusing?
Just to put my own mind at ease, I'm pretty sure I qualify for the special rate (my dad is on social welfare, both our incomes combined are below 20,000 for 2011, mam doesn't work). So, I should get ALL fees paid for my masters?
I should probably just ring SUSI and ask, but they don't seem to be clearing things up!
Really need to know this before I pay €200 to accept the course!
Thanks!

You should be sorted. You can accept the course. Always good to ask SUSI first tho.

lauras91

Fingers crossed anyway, big difference between 2000 euro and all the fees (5,500 euro!). Rang SUSI and they seem to only have the same info that I can see on websites etc.

SAMMY6269

Hi guys,
This may be a bit off topic but im hoping to start a Masters in septembe. I think I qualify for the special rate fees grant but i will still be really struggling financially if i accept the course.
Im just wondering if anyone knows any place i can apply for financial assistance for the course?
Id be heart broken to turn it down as ive been trying to get onto the course for the last three years since graduating!
Any ideas would be a great help!

Annasopra

SAMMY6269 wrote: »

Hi guys,
This may be a bit off topic but im hoping to start a Masters in septembe. I think I qualify for the special rate fees grant but i will still be really struggling financially if i accept the course.
Im just wondering if anyone knows any place i can apply for financial assistance for the course?
Id be heart broken to turn it down as ive been trying to get onto the course for the last three years since graduating!
Any ideas would be a great help!

The vincent de paul
The student assistance fund
Tax relief on any part of the fees over 6000 (can be claimed by a friend or family member)

iMuse

If I receive the 2000 grant, will I have to pay the student reg fee? Thanks.

spunkbass

i think the reg fee for postgrads is included in the tuition fee. correct me if im wrong

Annasopra

spunkbass wrote: »

i think the reg fee for postgrads is included in the tuition fee. correct me if im wrong

Some colleges list it separately but basically yes you would have to pay it.

iMuse

mango salsa wrote: »

Some colleges list it separately but basically yes you would have to pay it.

Well it looks like no masters for me, could barely afford it without the extra 2250

Annasopra

iMuse wrote: »

Well it looks like no masters for me, could barely afford it without the extra 2250

What college are you going to?

DIT list their fees separately so an example might be 5000 + 2250 = 7750

UCD on the otherhand list fees aggregated so they would have fees for 7750.

mosi

What is the situation regarding whether a student can be considered dependent or independent when progressing to a Masters.
In 2007, I started an undergrad course, as a mature student. I was considered to be a dependent mature student as I had been living with my parents prior to the course. This course did not work out, and I left after one month so as not to be liable for fees when doing a different course.
I moved out to do this first course, and have not lived with my parents since. I commenced another degree in September of that year (which I successfully completed last year). When I went to apply for the grant I was told that I would be considered a dependent still as I had been living with my parents prior to commencing the first course.
I hope to start a Masters this September. I have been living independently of my parents since 2007, but someone said to me I would probably still be considered a dependent. I can't work it out from the documentation available. As an independent student, I would qualify for the special rate. Any one know how this works?

pinkdiamond

I'm moving to manchester to work so that I can pay the €7,500 master's fees myself.

Lucky you who are getting government assistance.

Annasopra

mosi wrote: »

What is the situation regarding whether a student can be considered dependent or independent when progressing to a Masters.
In 2007, I started an undergrad course, as a mature student. I was considered to be a dependent mature student as I had been living with my parents prior to the course. This course did not work out, and I left after one month so as not to be liable for fees when doing a different course.
I moved out to do this first course, and have not lived with my parents since. I commenced another degree in September of that year (which I successfully completed last year). When I went to apply for the grant I was told that I would be considered a dependent still as I had been living with my parents prior to commencing the first course.
I hope to start a Masters this September. I have been living independently of my parents since 2007, but someone said to me I would probably still be considered a dependent. I can't work it out from the documentation available. As an independent student, I would qualify for the special rate. Any one know how this works?

Did you get free fees with course 2?

Basically the rule being applied here is determination of your "class"

Classes of applicant
13. (1) For the purposes of this Scheme there shall be two classes of applicant
as follows—
(a) independent student; and
(b) dependent student.
(2) An applicant’s class is defined at their first point of entry to an approved
post leaving certificate course or an approved higher education course or at
their point of re-entry to such an approved course and will continue to apply
for the duration of their studies.
(3) In this scheme an “independent student” means a mature student who did
not ordinarily reside with his or her parents, or either of them, from 1 October
of the year before the first point of entry to an approved post leaving certificate
course or an approved higher education course or re-entry to an approved
course.
(4) “Mature student” means a student who on 1 January—
(a) in the year of entry for the first time to an approved post leaving
certificate course;
(b) in the year of entry for the first time to an approved higher education
course (other than a course known for the time being as a post leaving
certificate course); or
(c) in the year of re-entry to an approved course,
is at least 23 years old.
(5) “Re-entry”, for the purposes of this Scheme, means a mature student
entering an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years,
having previously attended an approved course.

Basically when you enter third level you are given a class - with most people this is dependent

If you are progressing through levels you can't change this "class" at the point of "re-entry" unless there has been a 3 year break.

I think that whoever told you this is probably correct but I think it could also be argued that because in fact you did not complete year 1 of course 1 that this was not the point of entry.

mosi

mango salsa wrote: »

Did you get free fees with course 2?

Basically the rule being applied here is determination of your "class"

Yes I got free fees with the second course

Basically when you enter third level you are given a class - with most people this is dependent

If you are progressing through levels you can't change this "class" at the point of "re-entry" unless there has been a 3 year break.

I think that whoever told you this is probably correct but I think it could also be argued that because in fact you did not complete year 1 of course 1 that this was not the point of entry.

That's the bit that gets me...it's as though I was considered at first point of entry for free fees, but not for grant purposes. I guess I'll make a few more enquiries and throw in an application...the worst they can do is say no

JohnMc1

I just got an unofficial offering from DIT that they are accepting me for the Fall. I am currently enrolled in the Tus program but I will more than likely be leaving that and returning to JSA and then possibly onto BTEA. Are there any grants that I will be eligible for?

uniqueusername

Sooo... all very confusing!

Im just finishing my masters, and was going to do my phD, but from the sounds of it, I wont get anything for my fees, because I have a post graduate already?

Glad that its done online, but its still confusing!