Would I be allowed to repeat the year without having any repercussion on my BTEA?

Mcwood

I am at this moment on my final year of my degree, my coordinator of the course came to me the last day to have a small talk. Told me that even though my thesis is good my mayor project (which is the highest credit of the degree) lack strength, that means that I will fail my degree. For this reason he is considering me to refer me for next year, but I need to follow up with him next week. I am getting worried because I had performed to the best of my abilities to get through.

Now the question that I want to get through here is how this issue would affect my BTEA for next year in order words, what will happen to my back to education allowance payment? Would I be allowed to repeat the year without having any repercussion on my BTEA? and how to approach the social welfare with this issue?

This is very daunting because I know I had done the best that I could and now I am facing with this dilemma.

I will appreciate any helpful and honest comments.

Thanks for your time

Nelly 21

I don't think you are entitled to BTEA if you repeat a year. If you claim it for a course you can't reclaim for the same year

cee_jay

BTEA participants who have to repeat a year of their course will continue to be paid the allowance for the repeat year. This is provided that the BTEA participant is registered and attending as a FULL-TIME student for the repeat year. Repeat students who register as external students, exam only students or part-time students for their repeat year are not eligible for the allowance. A person will only be allowed to repeat one academic year of their course of study on the basis of exam failure and/or exceptional circumstances,evidence of such to be provided. eg due to illness, pregnancy, force majeure reasons.

From http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Back-to-Education-Allowance-Scheme.aspx

Mcwood

What’s this mean: “a person will only be allowed to repeat one academic year of study on the basis of exam failure? “ strange no all third level courses run on exams but rather on major projects?



The Bachelor’s Degree I am doing is in the creative arts field and doesn’t require you to do exams but rather is set on major projects rather than exams.



Would this be validated?



Thanks

wmpdd3

I think its just a different way of putting it, a failed year and a reason. As opposed to just leaving before the end of the year and an illness etc.

Mcwood

thanks, I guess I have to wait whatever the outcome it might be. If I have to refer for next year then let it be, the last thing that I can't do is no finish my degree because of my BTEA.

I know I am a bit slow learner to comprehend certain things and require s me to spend more time to get things done and I cannot go faster. So I need to look on the positive side of things and move on in order to reach to my final destination.

Thanks again

wmpdd3

My advice is to get a reem of written proof from the college now rather than looking for this next June when you are applying to the schemes section.

Also get on to student services they will have a better idea about how this worked out in previous years.

ShaShaBear

I was informed by the SW (I am currently repeating a year) that the reason I was not entitled to BTEA was because I only failed (and subsequently applied to repeat) one subject. Had I failed all of them, I would have been approved.

I argued with them that, clearly, if I only failed one of my six exams, this showed I was putting way more effort in than the average person who would have failed all six, that I clearly struggled and shouldn't be penalized where others, who might have made no effort at all, were getting to repeat without penalty.

I was put on the Part Time Back To Education Scheme. Note, this isn't BTEA in any form - it is simply the deciding officer for the head office in your area approving you to continue study at a part-time level while retaining your current SW benefit (Jobseekers in my case).

I have to collect my payment in the PO every week, and I am still required to sign on, and I was informed that being available and looking for work must take precedence over my study (although since I dealt directly with the deciding officer, she informed me that she would take note that I was aiming to finish a degree and not simply doing a one-year part time course, and a degree would be far more useful to my employability).

If you are not approved for BTEA, perhaps try this route?

Mcwood

thanks for the helpful info, I am still waiting for my course coordinator to come back to me.