Do I qualify for Back to Education Allowance?

3outta

I am starting a third level course in September, but have only been unemployed for four months and not nine months as stated, however on the day of registration, the college gave me a Back to Education Allowance form to complete, even though they know my unemployment history. And if I don't get it, I still have to sign off from the dole, don't I?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, as I won't be able to do this course if I can't support myself.

Goro

The College might have given you a BTEA form by way of trying to be helpful but it has nothing to do with them, so it's unlikely that they will understand whether your eligible or not. The BTEA is administered by the dept of social protection and the college has no role in this other than giving you a letter of enrollment twice a year to prove that you're in the course to the social welfare office.

If it's 3rd level I am afraid your correct, it's 9 months on the dole (A ridiculous rule!) before your eligible. So no by the rules you cannot get BTEA for this course and because it's full time, you won't get jobseekers either.

If I was you and was intent on doing this course, and not in any major hurry. I would postpone the course and do a 2nd levell 1 year 3rd level preparation course or course in a related area (FETAC level 5/6) for which you WILL be eligible for BTEA as you only need to be on JA for 3 months for second level.

By the time that course is over your time on BTEA will count towards your 9 months so you will be able to apply again and go on to do this degree course and keep your BTEA in a years time.

It's a year longer but it's better than being on Jobseekers for years.

3outta

Goro wrote: »

The College might have given you a BTEA form by way of trying to be helpful but it has nothing to do with them, so it's unlikely that they will understand whether your eligible or not. The BTEA is administered by the dept of social protection and the college has no role in this other than giving you a letter of enrollment twice a year to prove that you're in the course to the social welfare office.

If it's 3rd level I am afraid your correct, it's 9 months on the dole (A ridiculous rule!) before your eligible. So no by the rules you cannot get BTEA for this course and because it's full time, you won't get jobseekers either.

If I was you and was intent on doing this course, and not in any major hurry. I would postpone the course and do a 2nd levell 1 year 3rd level preparation course or course in a related area (FETAC level 5/6) for which you WILL be eligible for BTEA as you only need to be on JA for 3 months for second level.

By the time that course is over your time on BTEA will count towards your 9 months so you will be able to apply again and go on to do this degree course and keep your BTEA in a years time.

It's a year longer but it's better than being on Jobseekers for years.

Thanks, but I have already done Second Level education, I just hope the college can return the fees that I have paid, it's like as if I'm being punished for actually working and for wanting to better myself.

martinwest

Hello, I am going to college next september 2013, ive been on the dole now for 2months, does anyone know do i have to be signed on for 9months consectively up until the the start of my course, or just 9months in the 12?? thanks for the help.

hadepsx

if u recieve BTEA, is it true that u might recieve a top up on your current welfare amount

phoenix999

hadepsx wrote: »

if u recieve BTEA, is it true that u might recieve a top up on your current welfare amount

Yes you get the full rate ie €188. And €300 towards books etc. if you qualify.

orlzy22

hi guys:),

does anybody know if if you already have a level 8 honors degree but have been on the dole for 9 months, would i still qualify for BTEA if i want to do third level in nursing? or will it not count because i already have a degree?

Balagan

orlzy22 wrote: »

hi guys:),

does anybody know if if you already have a level 8 honors degree but have been on the dole for 9 months, would i still qualify for BTEA if i want to do third level in nursing? or will it not count because i already have a degree?

The only postgraduate courses covered by BTEA are outlined below:


Postgraduate courses

Only postgraduate courses in Ireland are eligible for the BTEA scheme. You can get the Back to Education Allowance for a postgraduate course of study that leads to a Higher Diploma (H.Dip.) qualification in any discipline or a Graduate Diploma in Education (primary and secondary teaching).

Other types of postgraduate qualifications are not recognised for BTEA. The only exception to this is where a college has admitted a person without a primary degree to a Master’s course on the basis of relevant life experience - in these cases the person may be entitled to BTEA.

You will not get BTEA if you already have a postgraduate qualification
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html

petersburg2002

orlzy22 wrote: »

hi guys:),

does anybody know if if you already have a level 8 honors degree but have been on the dole for 9 months, would i still qualify for BTEA if i want to do third level in nursing? or will it not count because i already have a degree?

If the course is part-time then you may qualify under the BTEA part-time option. The rules are slightly different, you would still need to sign on monthly and be available for work.

orlzy22

so if i'm doing another undergraduate degree I won't qualify will I? i did a business degree but want to do nursing at the same level:O:O unfortunately its full time:(

petersburg2002

orlzy22 wrote: »

so if i'm doing another undergraduate degree I won't qualify will I? i did a business degree but want to do nursing at the same level:O:O unfortunately its full time:(

I'm afraid not. Did you get a grant when you did the business degree? If you did, it would mean that you would also have to pay full fees for the course.

orlzy22

no i didn't get the grant at all for the business degree:( , its just a disaster, i will have to consider the nursing course in England as it will only be 2 years because i can enter on a graduate entry , so it will mean i will b paying half of what i would if i have to do the 4 years in Ireland and pay full tuition fes