Mature Student lived overseas, now just under 3/5 years in IRL

Rettoc

Hi All,

I am a 29 year old Irish mature student who returned to Ireland to take up full time education in NUI Maynooth. I have lived and travelled in Asia, Australia and NZ. From the last 5 years I have lived 34.5 months in Ireland. This puts me only 6 weeks out of the criteria they lay down for mature students: to have lived 3 out of the last 5 in Ireland. Does this automatically classify me as not being eligible for the grant? All the sites say you can reach their criteria as the months pass in Uni, but will I still be able to apply for this year or will it have to wait until next year?

I have zero savings from travelling, zero ties to my parents to support me in college and have been independent of them since I was 16. Anyone know of any loopholes or any way I could still apply? I returned all this way to get an education and now it looks like I won't be able to afford it

Thanks for any advice,
Rettoc

Annasopra

Rettoc wrote: »

Hi All,

I am a 29 year old Irish mature student who returned to Ireland to take up full time education in NUI Maynooth. I have lived and travelled in Asia, Australia and NZ for 34.5 months out of the last 5 years. This puts me only 6 weeks out of the criteria they lay down for mature students: to have lived 3 out of the last 5 in Ireland. Does this automatically classify me as not being eligible for the grant? All the sites say you can reach their criteria as the months pass in Uni, but will I still be able to apply for this year or will it have to wait until next year?

I have zero savings from travelling, zero ties to my parents to support me in college and have been independent of them since I was 16. Anyone know of any loopholes or any way I could still apply? I returned all this way to get an education and now it looks like I won't be able to afford it

Thanks for any advice,
Rettoc

Your figures don't add up - You are saying you lived 25.5 months in Ireland - that is 2 years - 1 month - Approximately 48 weeks short not 6 - You have to have lived 3 of the last 5 years in Ireland

You can apply to Uni but you won't be eligible to apply for a grant based on the 3 out of 5 years

Rettoc

mango salsa wrote: »

Your figures don't add up - You are saying you lived 25.5 months in Ireland - that is 2 years - 1 month - Approximately 48 weeks short not 6 - You have to have lived 3 of the last 5 years in Ireland

Oops, I meant to write that I lived in IRL 34.5 months out of the last 5 years... Thanks for any help you can give!

Annasopra

Rettoc wrote: »

Actually, I wrote 34.5 months... Thanks for any help you can give!

Ok 5 years = 60 months

You said you lived 34.5 months in Asia/Australia/New Zealand

Therefore you lived 25.5 months in Ireland (2 years 6 weeks)

The rule is

To be eligible for a student grant you must be legally resident in Ireland for at least 3 of the 5 years

Your figures are stating that you have lived in Ireland for 2 years 6 weeks

Annasopra

ok so

This is important

To be eligible for a student grant you must be legally resident in Ireland for at least 3 of the 5 years immediately before the date on which a year of study commences

Rettoc

mango salsa wrote: »

Ok 5 years = 60 months

You said you lived 34.5 months in Asia/Australia/New Zealand

Therefore you lived 25.5 months in Ireland (2 years 6 weeks)

The rule is



Your figures are stating that you have lived in Ireland for 2 years 6 weeks

I have amended my original post to state I have lived in Ireland 34.5 months. My mistake, thanks for helping me to clear it up...
Now lets hope I don't make a stupid mistake like that in my application!

Rettoc

mango salsa wrote: »

ok so

This is important

Thanks for your help with this. I have sat down with all of my flight details and visa dates going to and from Ireland and I will be 34 months and sixteen days legally resident in Ireland from the date the course begins in September, still leaving me roughly 6 weeks short...

Annasopra

Rettoc wrote: »

Thanks for your help with this. I have sat down with all of my flight details and visa dates going to and from Ireland and I will be 34 months and sixteen days legally resident in Ireland from the date the course begins in September, still leaving me roughly 6 weeks short...

Then you probably won't be eligible for a grant

Rettoc

mango salsa wrote: »

Then you probably won't be eligible for a grant

But at the end of October I will fit the criteria. My concern, is will I have to wait until next year to apply for the grant for my 2nd year or will I be able to apply in October for the rest of my 1st year?

Annasopra

Rettoc wrote: »

But at the end of October I will fit the criteria. My concern, is will I have to wait until next year to apply for the grant for my 2nd year or will I be able to apply in October for the rest of my 1st year?

No the criteria is until you start the course

I think you could apply in Year 2

bookworms

You will meet the criteria in September 2013.

Annasopra

bookworms wrote: »

You will meet the criteria in September 2013.

Possibly. The grants laws change every year though so he might meet the criteria under 2011/2012 laws but not in 2012/2013. It's always important to say " You MIGHT" not "You will"