Change in renewing/applying Higher Education Grants...

YCT527

According to the official website,
http://www.dublincity.ie/COMMUNITY/HIGHEREDUCATIONGRANTS/Pages/default.aspx , there is a change in the way of how to apply/renew the higher education grants.
In the web, it says: ''Students who are currently in receipt of a student grant from Dublin City Council and are progressing to the next year of the same course will continue to be assessed and paid by Higher Education Grants Section, Dublin City Council. Students who are changing course or progressing to a new course must apply to the SUSI online system.''
I'm confused here...
I've finished first year (and now I'm waiting for my exam results), my course was Common Entry Into Science. In the coming 2nd year, I decided to do Analytical Science.
So does Common Entry Into Science and Analytical Science are considered the same course (i.e. part of Common Entry)? Or are they considered different courses?
For those who are also in common entry into science and currently in receipt of a grant (same as me), how did you apply? Do you apply to SUSI or stay with Dublin City Council?
Help would be appreciated, thanks.

polkabunny

YCT527 wrote: »

According to the official website,
http://www.dublincity.ie/COMMUNITY/HIGHEREDUCATIONGRANTS/Pages/default.aspx , there is a change in the way of how to apply/renew the higher education grants.
In the web, it says: ''Students who are currently in receipt of a student grant from Dublin City Council and are progressing to the next year of the same course will continue to be assessed and paid by Higher Education Grants Section, Dublin City Council. Students who are changing course or progressing to a new course must apply to the SUSI online system.''
I'm confused here...
I've finished first year (and now I'm waiting for my exam results), my course was Common Entry Into Science. In the coming 2nd year, I decided to do Analytical Science.
So does Common Entry Into Science and Analytical Science are considered the same course (i.e. part of Common Entry)? Or are they considered different courses?
For those who are also in common entry into science and currently in receipt of a grant (same as me), how did you apply? Do you apply to SUSI or stay with Dublin City Council?
Help would be appreciated, thanks.

I would advise contacting the Higher Education Grants section of Dublin City Council. I'm applying for re-assessment from Roscommon County Council right now, and thought I might have to go through SUSI too.
The only thing is that SUSI only seems to come into play if you are changing your course or going into college for the first time. I would say what you're doing is natural progression through the system, but check first.

YCT527

polkabunny wrote: »

I would advise contacting the Higher Education Grants section of Dublin City Council. I'm applying for re-assessment from Roscommon County Council right now, and thought I might have to go through SUSI too.
The only thing is that SUSI only seems to come into play if you are changing your course or going into college for the first time. I would say what you're doing is natural progression through the system, but check first.

Yeah, I did contact them few days ago. They said it's considered the same course. So I just stay with Dublin City Council and renew. Thanks for the reply anyway:).

chattycatty

Yea its great they have changed, finally people will not be able the corrupt it and it is going to be a bit more fair

polkabunny

chattycatty wrote: »

Yea its great they have changed, finally people will not be able the corrupt it and it is going to be a bit more fair

Well, this comment annoys me slightly, as I didn't get as much as I needed to live in college for the year, and my mother had to pay money she had been saving for something else on my accomodation.
The system will be used in exactly the same way, and with stricter guidelines than ever.

chattycatty

polkabunny wrote: »

Well, this comment annoys me slightly, as I didn't get as much as I needed to live in college for the year, and my mother had to pay money she had been saving for something else on my accomodation.
The system will be used in exactly the same way, and with stricter guidelines than ever.

Really ...did I say you were doing it, a grant is supposed to help u in college not fully pay for it, enjoy the privilege of getting one and I am sure you are fully entitled to it as it has rubbed you up the wrong way. There is people in this country that corrupt every system not just student grants, social welfare is another example and they are cracking down on that to.....
so read posts before you attack

smeal

chattycatty wrote: »

a grant is supposed to help u in college not fully pay for it

For a lot of people the grant is the fundamental way to pay for their entire time at college.

I don't get the full grant as my parents must be slightly over the income threshold and receive the half grant (which i am EXTREMELY grateful for) but that just abouts pays for my accomm for the year. My parents are not in any position to contribute any more to my expenses and any additional money they literally kill themselves working for goes towards my food fund. Going to need a part time job big time this year as last year I had a bit of money saved from working the previous summer which went towards any books or additional things needed for college.

BASICALLY, I don't think PolkaBunny meant any "attack" on your comment. I think he was just standing up for the majority of people who stick to the guidelines, obey them and appreciate getting the grant. The guidelines are strict enough as they are AND YES like any other system there will be people attempting to corrupt it. But in my opinion if the guidelines are changed which may implement further changes to the income threshold etc theres going to be a lot more people in a worse state than better.

And chattychatty, I'm definitely not attacking your comment either. Both fair comments.

smeal

Whoops! referred to PolkaBunny as a he instead of a she!! sorry:):)!

manicmonkey

Anyone have any idea who you apply to if you applied last year but were unsuccessful and have decided to apply again anyway this year ?

polkabunny

smeal wrote: »

I don't get the full grant as my parents must be slightly over the income threshold and receive the half grant (which i am EXTREMELY grateful for) but that just abouts pays for my accomm for the year. My parents are not in any position to contribute any more to my expenses and any additional money they literally kill themselves working for goes towards my food fund. Going to need a part time job big time this year as last year I had a bit of money saved from working the previous summer which went towards any books or additional things needed for college.

I'm in the same position, my sister had previously gotten the full grant and top-up for her four years in college, but all I got was the full grant, no top-up. Meant my mother had to fish around for money she didn't really have to fork out to pay for my accomodation. I ended up getting a small bit from the Student Assistance fund, thankfully, which helped a lot.

smeal wrote: »

Whoops! referred to PolkaBunny as a he instead of a she!! sorry!

No worries, well used to it by now

manicmonkey wrote: »

Anyone have any idea who you apply to if you applied last year but were unsuccessful and have decided to apply again anyway this year ?

I'm currently in the middle of filling out paper work for re-assessment. You get the forms from the council you applied to first, I believe. SUSI (new grants system) is only for students going into a new course in September