"Dependant" mature student with a child. Chances of getting a grant?

Ms. Pingui

I'll be going back to college in September as a mature student. I'm 23 and a lone parent. I receive 200 euro per week lone parents allowance.

The thing is though that myself and my daughter currently live with my parents so their income will be taken into account. My mother is unemployed as is my dad although he is close to getting a new job

Although I live at home, I don't receive monetary support from my parents. I pay towards the household and food etc. as well as looking after my daughter from my allowance.

I will need to move out of home with my little one to go to college. If I don't get the grant, I won't be going to college... simple as!

What is the likelihood of me getting the grant?

Also does anyone know when I can apply for the grant?

Thanks!

Annasopra

Ms. Pingui wrote: »

I'll be going back to college in September as a mature student. I'm 23 and a lone parent. I receive 200 euro per week lone parents allowance.

The thing is though that myself and my daughter currently live with my parents so their income will be taken into account. My mother is unemployed as is my dad although he is close to getting a new job

Although I live at home, I don't receive monetary support from my parents. I pay towards the household and food etc. as well as looking after my daughter from my allowance.

I will need to move out of home with my little one to go to college. If I don't get the grant, I won't be going to college... simple as!

What is the likelihood of me getting the grant?

Also does anyone know when I can apply for the grant?

Thanks!

They count the income of you, plus your parents for the year ending December 2012. If you can work out roughly what that is then you might be able to work out if you are eligible

Ms. Pingui

mango salsa wrote: »

They count the income of you, plus your parents for the year ending December 2012. If you can work out roughly what that is then you might be able to work out if you are eligible

Parents income from last year was 49k , so I think that's over the threshold. My one parent family payment isn't counted at all.
I was just wondering if having a dependent myself would make any difference?

Annasopra

Ms. Pingui wrote: »

Parents income from last year was 49k , so I think that's over the threshold. My one parent family payment isn't counted at all.
I was just wondering if having a dependent myself would make any difference?

What is that income

If it includes any of the following they are not counted;

• Child Benefit,
• Family Income Supplement,
• Disability Allowance (where paid to the applicant),
• Blind Pension (where paid to the applicant),
• One Parent Family Payments (Means Tested) (where paid to the applicant),
• Guardian’s Payment,
• Foster Care Allowance,
• Domiciliary Care Allowance,
• Carer’s Allowance,
• Student Assistance Fund,
• Student grant,
• Compensation for a personal injury

Ms. Pingui

mango salsa wrote: »

What is that income

If it includes any of the following they are not counted;

• Child Benefit,
• Family Income Supplement,
• Disability Allowance (where paid to the applicant),
• Blind Pension (where paid to the applicant),
• One Parent Family Payments (Means Tested) (where paid to the applicant),
• Guardian’s Payment,
• Foster Care Allowance,
• Domiciliary Care Allowance,
• Carer’s Allowance,
• Student Assistance Fund,
• Student grant,
• Compensation for a personal injury

It was the money my father earned before he lost his job.

Annasopra

Ms. Pingui wrote: »

It was the money my father earned before he lost his job.

Ah - in that case you might be able to claim change of circumstances because he lost his job and his income is decreased. This could mean that they would take his reduced income and assess your application based on that - so in a way that could be beneficial!!!!

Also - the grant threshold for fees only - no maintenance is 51,000 for 2012/2013 - this reduces by 3% so it will be roughly 50k

ninty9er

When did the concept of dependent mature applicant arrive?

paperclip2

ninty9er wrote: »

When did the concept of dependent mature applicant arrive?

Its always been there. Anyone who lives with parents or guardians, irregardless of age, is assessed on their parents/ guardians income as well as their own.

Henlars67

paperclip2 wrote: »

Its always been there. Anyone who lives with parents or guardians, irregardless of age, is assessed on their parents/ guardians income as well as their own.

It's ridiculous really because social welfare doesn't take your parents income into account for a means tested payment once you're over 25.

Don't see how there can be totally separate rules for both

Ms. Pingui

I went to citizens info. and it turns out that I'll only be assessed on my own income as I am a single mother. Myself and my daughter will be seen as a separate family unit so panic over!

bulmersgal

Oh I so hope this is true, I'm in same boat too. Going to college in sept and have 3 year old. It's tough going as I've been doing course for last two years. God I should of apply for this year but I get vtos so it's great help

Ms. Pingui

bulmersgal wrote: »

Oh I so hope this is true, I'm in same boat too. Going to college in sept and have 3 year old. It's tough going as I've been doing course for last two years. God I should of apply for this year but I get vtos so it's great help

Yes it's true! I even went back to citizen's info a second time to confirm it when I couldn't find anything about it on the internet.
It will be my first time away at college since I had my daughter so this grant will be a massive help to me. Good luck with your studies!

bulmersgal

Have you applied for the crèche in college. I'm going to Tallaght n you have to put name down in advance. It's subsided so only €20 a week which will be a great help to me as crèche she's in will want €145 a week in Sept

Ms. Pingui

bulmersgal wrote: »

Have you applied for the crèche in college. I'm going to Tallaght n you have to put name down in advance. It's subsided so only €20 a week which will be a great help to me as crèche she's in will want €145 a week in Sept

I'll be going to W.I.T (fingers crossed) and unfortunately they don't have creche. I might qualify for the C.C.S programme, which is basically a subsided community creche. I'm looking into that at the moment. Hopefully it will work out!

mackg

Ms. Pingui wrote: »

I went to citizens info. and it turns out that I'll only be assessed on my own income as I am a single mother. Myself and my daughter will be seen as a separate family unit so panic over!

To be seen as independent of your parents you need to be able to prove independent residence, if you've been living at home I don't see how you are going to be able to do that.

(3) In this scheme an “independent student” means a mature student who did
not ordinarily reside with his or her parents, or either of them, from 1 October
of the year before the first point of entry to an approved post leaving certificate
course or an approved higher education course or re-entry to an approved
course.

If I were you I'd check with susi. Sounds to me like they think your daughter is the one going to college

Ms. Pingui

mackg wrote: »

To be seen as independent of your parents you need to be able to prove independent residence, if you've been living at home I don't see how you are going to be able to do that.



If I were you I'd check with susi. Sounds to me like they think your daughter is the one going to college

All checked. I went in personally with my 2 year old in her buggy. I'm definitely not old enough to have a kid of college going age!
You are assessed as a family in your own right. It's like if you a single parent on welfare you will get a medical card even if you are living with rich parents. Just the way it is apparently.

bulmersgal

I no in the cao we were classed as a two family household. So it's prob the same here. I'll be going to college anyways as only 2 years left till I get my degree and nothing stopping me getting that just have to borrow money if I don't get grant

SuSi: Reps

Ms. Pingui wrote: »

I went to citizens info. and it turns out that I'll only be assessed on my own income as I am a single mother. Myself and my daughter will be seen as a separate family unit so panic over!

Unfortunately, the information the citizens information office has supplied is not accurate.

You will not be classified as and Independent student if you are living in your parents home under any circumstances.

bulmersgal

SuSi: Robbie wrote: »

Unfortunately, the information the citizens information office has supplied is not accurate.

You will not be classified as and Independent student if you are living in your parents home under any circumstances.

If I was to move out of my house today would I be classed as a independent student and my income be used or would it still go on my parents income

Henlars67

bulmersgal wrote: »

If I was to move out of my house today would I be classed as a independent student and my income be used or would it still go on my parents income

You have to be out of it since last October.

I was in my parents house for a couple of weeks last January in between leases having lived away for years and I am being classed as dependant on them, though I got an email to say I am at the provisionally awarded stage so maybe someone has seen common sense.

Not counting on it though.

mackg

bulmersgal wrote: »

Oh I so hope this is true, I'm in same boat too. Going to college in sept and have 3 year old. It's tough going as I've been doing course for last two years. God I should of apply for this year but I get vtos so it's great help

bulmersgal wrote: »

If I was to move out of my house today would I be classed as a independent student and my income be used or would it still go on my parents income

Are you continuing on the same course? I'm not talking about doing an add on either. Are you say going into the 3rd year of a level 7 or 8 having entered the courses at that level?

bulmersgal

I'm doing a accounts technician course and will have advance entry into 3rd year of a level 8 course

mackg

Sorry now but I want to make sure I have this right. You're doing an accounts technician course which is not level 8 but when you have finished it you will be eligible to enter into the third year of a level 8 course? Is that right?

bulmersgal

mackg wrote: »

Sorry now but I want to make sure I have this right. You're doing an accounts technician course which is not level 8 but when you have finished it you will be eligible to enter into the third year of a level 8 course? Is that right?

Exactly

Ms. Pingui

SuSi: Robbie wrote: »

Unfortunately, the information the citizens information office has supplied is not accurate.

You will not be classified as and Independent student if you are living in your parents home under any circumstances.

So I went in twice and spoke to two different people from citizens info. and they both gave me the same wrong information??? I really questioned it and they reassured me that this was the case?

Henlars67

Ms. Pingui wrote: »

So I went in twice and spoke to two different people from citizens info. and they both gave me wrong information??? I really questioned it and they reassured me that this was the case?

A lot of those working in citizens advice haven't got a clue.

I got wrong information in there a couple of times before

Ms. Pingui

Henlars67 wrote: »

A lot of those working in citizens advice haven't got a clue.

I got wrong information in there a couple of times before

Ok, looks like I won't be going to college so. Can't wait to spend the rest of my life on welfare, it will be a blast.

Annasopra

Ms. Pingui wrote: »

Ok, looks like I won't be going to college so. Can't wait to spend the rest of my life on welfare, it will be a blast.

The grant has not been ruled out yet

bulmersgal

Ms. Pingui wrote: »

Ok, looks like I won't be going to college so. Can't wait to spend the rest of my life on welfare, it will be a blast.

It's frustrating for me as I live at home rather then claim rent allowance saving the state 750 each month but they won't help me with grant. Whereas if I got rent allowance they would have to pay €11,500 a year for me on rent allowance and grant.

Ms. Pingui

mango salsa wrote: »

The grant has not been ruled out yet

If it's assessed on my parents income I won't get it. I won't be able to afford rent, food, car costs, bills, loan repayments, childcare costs, college costs and registration with my weekly 117 euro lone parents payment.
The system makes it impossible to improve yourself.

Ms. Pingui

bulmersgal wrote: »

It's frustrating for me as I live at home rather then claim rent allowance saving the state 750 each month but they won't help me with grant. Whereas if I got rent allowance they would have to pay €11,500 a year for me on rent allowance and grant.

Completely agree! It's mad isn't it?
I'm going to ring up a different citizens info. office in the morning and see do I get the same advice or if they tell something different.

Annasopra

Ms. Pingui wrote: »

If it's assessed on my parents income I won't get it. I won't be able to afford rent, food, car costs, bills, loan repayments, childcare costs, college costs and registration with my weekly 117 euro lone parents payment.
The system makes it impossible to improve yourself.

I get you but the fact there was a change of circumstances in your parents income should count in your favour

Ms. Pingui

mango salsa wrote: »

I get you but the fact there was a change of circumstances in your parents income should count in your favour

Only if neither of my parent gets a job before the grant is processed though. I won't hope for that either because that's a massive problem for the whole family.

mackg

Ms. Pingui wrote: »

Only if neither of my parent gets a job before the grant is processed though. I won't hope for that either because that's a massive problem for the whole family.

The grant is assessed on 2012 which is already over and there hasn't been a change in circumstance, positive changes in circumstance are not taken into account anyway.

mackg

mango salsa wrote: »

Ah - in that case you might be able to claim change of circumstances because he lost his job and his income is decreased. This could mean that they would take his reduced income and assess your application based on that - so in a way that could be beneficial!!!!

Also - the grant threshold for fees only - no maintenance is 51,000 for 2012/2013 - this reduces by 3% so it will be roughly 50k

If this is the case your dads income from employment is discounted and his social welfare is annualised ie. your dads income for 2012 is taken as if he had been on social welfare at his current rate for the entire year. How much of a difference does that make?

Ms. Pingui

mackg wrote: »

The grant is assessed on 2012 which is already over and there hasn't been a change in circumstance, positive changes in circumstance are not taken into account anyway.

Dad only lost his job in October so based on 2012 I won't get it.

Annasopra

mackg wrote: »

The grant is assessed on 2012 which is already over and there hasn't been a change in circumstance, positive changes in circumstance are not taken into account anyway.

There was a change in circumstances -

Ms Pinguis father lost his job

mackg

Ms. Pingui wrote: »

Dad only lost his job in October so based on 2012 I won't get it.

In that case you can be assessed on 2013 with 2013's income assessed the same way I have outlined above.

Annasopra

Ms. Pingui wrote: »

Dad only lost his job in October so based on 2012 I won't get it.

That is still a change of circumstances

mackg

bulmersgal wrote: »

Exactly

In that case there is no way to avoid being assessed as a dependent student unfortunately.

mackg

mango salsa wrote: »

There was a change in circumstances -

Ms Pinguis father lost his job

EDIT: This got very confusing for a second but I have it now. When I said there wasn't a change of circumstance a meant a further one in response to Ms Pingui's question about if her father got another job, I should have made that clearer, my apologies.

Ms Pingui as it stands your fathers income for 2012 will be taken as if he was on his current rate of social welfare for the whole year. That's with the original change in circumstances taken into account. He didn't get a job again in 2012 so if he gets one now is irrelevant to your application.

Ms. Pingui

mango salsa wrote: »

That is still a change of circumstances

If he gets a job soon it won't matter though, will it?

Snowshower

Most of the staff in Citizen Info offices work voluntary - be careful with the info they give out - as a previous member said its not always the correct one. Go to the Social Welfare office and make an appointment. !!! best of luck. (got info myself before from them which was incorrect).

Ms. Pingui

margal wrote: »

Most of the staff in Citizen Info offices work voluntary - be careful with the info they give out - as a previous member said its not always the correct one. Go to the Social Welfare office and make an appointment. !!! best of luck. (got info myself before from them which was incorrect).

I'll do that so.
It looks like I'll have to move out of home before September and get rent allowance so I'll be seen as an "Independent" and reapply next year. What a stupid and frustrating waste of time when I'm already paying my own way but just living at home.

Ms. Pingui

My father has now after getting work on a six month contract. He has been unemployed since late 2012 and will be out of work again by October this year.
Would I get a grant because of this??
So frustated trying to sort all this out!