College Fees 2013/14 help!!

Rugbyfan91

Hi there,

I'm hoping to go back to college this September to study commerce in UCD (I will be 22 starting the course).

I was originally studying business studies - level 6/7 in 2010 in DIT but due to immaturity etc I dropped out. This was back in 2010/11 academic year - the year after this I completed a FETAC course in businesses studies (BBSXX) where I did quite well and now have the grades to apply for commerce amongst other courses. This year I got offered a job in a very highly renowned financial sector firm and have done quite well, they wanted to keep me on and pay to complete my course part time but HR put a stop to it as you have to have a degree before applying for a permanent position.
So it's not as if I have just sat around since dropping out, I wanted to turn my life around and not just sit at home doing nothing!

I'm just unsure as to how much my fees will be this year? Are they full fees? I was talking to someone earlier who dropped out of a level 6/7 cert course like myself and went back to college and didn't have to pay full fees as he hasn't attended a level 8 degree course previously. I've also heard because I have successfully completed a FETAC course that it's a natural progression onto college and therefore the full fees won't apply for me.

Just generally confused overall as I have heard different answers. Does anyone know for sure how much I would have to pay? Or know anywhere I can ask? As I don't want to ask the college themselves as they will earmark it and I may then be subject to full fees!

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Thanks

MarkyMark22

Rugbyfan91 wrote: »

Hi there,

I'm hoping to go back to college this September to study commerce in UCD (I will be 22 starting the course).

I was originally studying business studies - level 6/7 in 2010 in DIT but due to immaturity etc I dropped out. This was back in 2010/11 academic year - the year after this I completed a FETAC course in businesses studies (BBSXX) where I did quite well and now have the grades to apply for commerce amongst other courses. This year I got offered a job in a very highly renowned financial sector firm and have done quite well, they wanted to keep me on and pay to complete my course part time but HR put a stop to it as you have to have a degree before applying for a permanent position.
So it's not as if I have just sat around since dropping out, I wanted to turn my life around and not just sit at home doing nothing!

I'm just unsure as to how much my fees will be this year? Are they full fees? I was talking to someone earlier who dropped out of a level 6/7 cert course like myself and went back to college and didn't have to pay full fees as he hasn't attended a level 8 degree course previously. I've also heard because I have successfully completed a FETAC course that it's a natural progression onto college and therefore the full fees won't apply for me.

Just generally confused overall as I have heard different answers. Does anyone know for sure how much I would have to pay? Or know anywhere I can ask? As I don't want to ask the college themselves as they will earmark it and I may then be subject to full fees!

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Thanks

I could be wrong, but I think if you're attending a higher level course you should receive a grant. Have you tried ringing SUSI?

Rugbyfan91

MarkyMark22 wrote: »

I could be wrong, but I think if you're attending a higher level course you should receive a grant. Have you tried ringing SUSI?

Haven't talked to them at all yet! The closing date to apply for a grant is Monday, so better apply tomorrow and then call them on Monday to double check.

MarkyMark22

Rugbyfan91 wrote: »

Haven't talked to them at all yet! The closing date to apply for a grant is Monday, so better apply tomorrow and then call them on Monday to double check.

Yeah, it's better to apply now in case you miss the deadline, if you miss the deadline it wouldn't matter if you were eligible or not as you wouldn't be capable of applying!

Best of luck! Let us know how you get on

MarkyMark22

P.S have you tried searching through threads on here and google? I'm sure there have been many people in your position.

Annasopra

Hi

I would suggest ring this section in the department of education and ask there

http://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Management-Organisation/Higher-Education-Research-and-Finance-Section.html