Solution to getting the student grant

walkinggold

Well guys,

In an effort to stir the pot a bit- I have a solution that will ensure that all students on the grant, get their money by the end of September.

Recent figures show that almost 50% of students are now claiming the grant. So wouldn't it make sense for the other 50% of students that are paying their registration fees (up to €3,000 I hear for next September) to give their registration fees DIRECTLY to the grant students.

Every grant student is assigned a paying student. This would save administration costs and ensure that the grant students get their money on time. It wont cost the paying student any extra. Registration fees for the paying students will rise in accordance to the rising number of students getting the grant.

I know it sounds ridiculous that where there are two students in the same position- one student is €3,000 richer where the other student is €3,000 broker- and also that the paying student must be charged extra for every new student signing on the grant- but i've been thinking the same thing since I've started college.

Feedback anyone?

Ficheall

Sounds like a good idea. When do you want to give me your 3000 euro?
I'd prefer to be paid in 50s, please.

walkinggold

are you not already getting it in monthly installments?

joeKel73

Is this a genuine suggestion?!

Terrible, terrible idea.

walkinggold wrote: »

Every grant student is assigned a paying student. This would save administration costs and ensure that the grant students get their money on time.

And who's going to police this? What happens when one student is waiting for their grant to live off and the other student isn't forthcoming with the cash? Or just ignores all contact as people do when the bank comes looking for money.

walkinggold wrote: »

It wont cost the paying student any extra. Registration fees for the paying students will rise in accordance to the rising number of students getting the grant.

Firstly the first two statements there are contradictory. Secondly that will just spiral our of control. As numbers of people on the grant increases, the fees go up for others... then that tips a proportion of fee payers beyond the affordable grasp of going to college, so need to adjust the grant threshold. Then those go on the grant and the fees go up...... etc.

walkinggold

If the paying student doesn't pay their registration fees, they can't register and therefore can't stay in college. I believe that is the way the registration fees work right now.

The first two statements weren't meant to be contradictory- perhaps I explained it badly. It wont cost the paying students any extra than they would have to pay if this system wasn't in place. The fees next September will be €3,000 and that is how mush the paying students would be giving the grant students.

I have to disagree with your last point. The way it is right now (and has been in the last few years) is that the rise of students going on the grant reflects the rise in registration fees that the paying students are paying. And it doesn't matter whether or not the paying student can afford the new increased fees because it's their parents wage that is means tested. So the registration fees can keep rising, but that wont mean that more students will get the grant. Not unless it leads to their parents quitting their jobs or accepting jobs with a lower wage. Paying students that can't afford the registration fees, will have to take out a loan or get a job. I believe that is also how paying the registration fees works right now.

joeKel73

walkinggold wrote: »

If the paying student doesn't pay their registration fees, they can't register and therefore can't stay in college. I believe that is the way the registration fees work right now.

But you want to cut out the administration so who in college is going to be checking who's paid, who hasn't?

Also you're not cutting any admin on the county council either end. Although someone on the grant doesn't pay the registration fee, the council pays it on the grant recipient's behalf. In your case, they'll still have to pay the full grant - to cover both the grant recipient and the fee paying student's registration fees. They'll also still need to access who is and isn't eligible for the grant, which is most of the admin.

PomBear

I don't know what your source is for fees being €3,000 next September but the Government is intending to raise them to €2,500(excl. student levy) next September.

Reillyman

PomBear wrote: »

I don't know what your source is for fees being €3,000 next September but the Government is intending to raise them to €2,500(excl. student levy) next September.

Ara shtap! Sure the levy is €224 bring it to €2,724 which is as good as €3k for cash in my book.

joeKel73

Reillyman wrote: »

Ara shtap! Sure the levy is €224 bring it to €2,724 which is as good as €3k for cash in my book.

Hey Reillyman any chance of a loan of €3k for a couple of days? I'll pay you back the €2,724 by Tuesday at the latest. Cheers.

PomBear

Reillyman wrote: »

Ara shtap! Sure the levy is €224 bring it to €2,724 which is as good as €3k for cash in my book.

Pretty misinforming in my book. Also, that's a €276 difference! or €500 difference when including the levy.

keesa

Paying students will become resentful of non paying students, especially the ones who have to get loans because they can't afford to pay the fees but can't get the grant. Why should I get a loan because you've a crafty accountant or are marginally poorer than I am?

keesa

also, I pay 3000 for ME where's the money for you in that?! Major hole in the plan there!

walkinggold

keesa wrote: »

Paying students will become resentful of non paying students, especially the ones who have to get loans because they can't afford to pay the fees but can't get the grant. Why should I get a loan because you've a crafty accountant or are marginally poorer than I am?

do you not think paying students are already resentful in the current situation?

and many students paying their registration fees are already taking out loans.