free fee eligibility ?

dubdad

Hi
i previously attended college back in the 1980's but did not qualify after a 3 year course.
I am now hoping to return to college as a mature student, and was under the impression that i would be eligible for the free fees part of the grant system as i don't actually hold a 3rd level qualification and it has been over 5 years since i attended a third level institute.
i have gone through the whole cao system, have a place secured on a lv8 degree course, and have applied through susi.

but lately have been feeling a little nervous as have read some posts which have made me doubt whether i am actually eligible for free fees.

can anyone advise who knows for sure ???

Maldesu

I was covered under the 'second chance' rule which was that I never completed a degree and had been out of education for over 5 years.
UCD site has a pretty good section on fees here but read it all the way through. Section 2 - Additionally - mentions the second chance rule.

While the rule exists there does seem to be a lack of information or even knowledge on the second chance ruling even by the colleges themselves.

dubdad

thanks for the link , must go and take a look.
reviewing student finance , i do seem to be eligible under the second chance rule but it gets a bit grey around the student contribution part:

1. 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.

1. The tuition fees payable do not include the payment to be made by students towards the cost of registration, examination and student services.

Maldesu

Depends on SUSI at this point and what they deem you eligible for. They might pay all/part/nothing depending on your own circumstances.

dubdad

ouch !
after filling in their online application i am not filled with hope.
i believe they have raised the bar in the red tape stakes. the whole thing smacks of civil-service incompetence. now they have an extra couple of layers of anonymity to hide behind.

anyway i does look like i will get the fee part, the student contribution, though looks like another matter. if i have to i am sure i can sell a kidney or some other not so vital organ to get me through. (don't think i'll get an takers on the liver, its seen to much action.):P

Outkast_IRE

Just to weigh in with my own experience, i was in college briefly 7 years ago and dropped out hated the course.

In the mean time i completed a full apprenticeship and qualified and wanted to go back to learn more in my area.

So i applied for the grant etc and was 100% honest with all details in my appliaction and wrote on it clearly that i believed i was eligible under the second chance rule .

They looked for loads of documents etc but it was successful in the end.
So there is hope.

Maldesu

More like they all jumped on the administration bandwagon and pushed out people with actual understanding of their job. I'm hoping for the contribution too but I'm going to have to sit on my hands. I'm fairly certain the liver option it well and truly out for all of us at this point!