Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

BTEA and Maintenance Grant- am I missing something??

  • 03-08-2012 5:59pm
    #1
    Zara23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 64 ✭✭


    Hi everyone,

    I know there are plenty of posts about this already but every situation is different so I thought I would explain my problem!

    I was one of the lucky few who started receiving both the BTEA and the maintenance grant starting in Sept 2009, so I was able to continue receiving it for the duration of my studies (3 year Ordinary Level Degree). I have just finished that course in May and have been accepted to a one year Level 8 add-on year in a different college.
    I did my research before applying for the grant and as far as I could tell I am still eligible to receive both if I am going to do a Level 8 add-on year to top me up to an Honours Degree if it is a direct progression of my previous course and providing I didn't take any break in my studies. I fulfill both of these conditions.
    However, when I contacted SUSI they told me that as of yet, I have been approved for Fees only. I am still well below the income limits and should be approved for the special rate of maintenance grant as I am on One-parent family payment and obviously have not worked since I have been in college.
    Am I missing some kind of condition? I sent in the documents they requested with a letter explaining my situation but have not heard anything yet.
    I really need to know as if I dont get the grant I cannot go to college and I will have moved myself and my child 3 hours away for no reason.
    Does anyone know why I can't receive both? When should we hear from SUSI?


Comments

  • #2
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    It sounds like they don't realise that you were in a position where you get both. If they don't give you a full maintenance grant keep appealing it.

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #3
    annacanna
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 120 ✭✭annacanna


    would you consider waiting on one parent family allowance and recieve the maintenance grant? as far as i know you can recieve both


  • #4
    Zara23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 64 ✭✭Zara23


    annacanna wrote: »
    would you consider waiting on one parent family allowance and recieve the maintenance grant? as far as i know you can recieve both

    Yes I would be able to get both but I would lose my Rent Supplement and other secondary benefits as you can only retain them on BTEA. Also, I don't see why I should have to do that as I have searched the legislation and I am fully entitled to get BTEA and the Maintenance grant with my situation. It's frustrating that they assume you don't know your rights and try to give you as little as possible.


  • #5
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    Zara23 wrote: »
    Yes I would be able to get both but I would lose my Rent Supplement and other secondary benefits as you can only retain them on BTEA. Also, I don't see why I should have to do that as I have searched the legislation and I am fully entitled to get BTEA and the Maintenance grant with my situation. It's frustrating that they assume you don't know your rights and try to give you as little as possible.

    I would assume that they don't fully understand your situation.

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



Advertisement