SUSI Appeal

clairessa

Hi

Just wondering if anyone is in the same situation as me I got approved for my grant today but only for Post Graduate Fee Contribution (€2000). Even though last year I got the full grant with the top up. I just wonder is anyone else in the same position. As my circumstance hasn't changed since last week if anything they have got worse my family on a lower income. Also sushi never asked me for any documents this year which I found strange. Also did anyone appeal last year how was the appeal process.

clairessa

Yes to all those questions and my father is only one in house getting a income from social welfare which works at about 2,239.20 a year that the only income my mother does not work so how can I be getting such little grant.

GodlikeRed

For postgraduate degrees the maximum given is now €2000.
This is a contribution to the tuition fees
The is NO maintenance grant for postgraduate degrees!

Annasopra

Thats not fully correct Godlikered

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/postgraduate_student_grant.html


There are 2 ways postgraduates may qualify for assistance under the Student Grant Scheme. They may either:

1.Get a new flat rate fee contribution of €2,000, if they pass the fee contribution means test – see below

Or

2.Get all their tuition fees paid and essential field trips (up to €6,270), if they meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant for disadvantaged students – see below

clairessa

There are only fee grants available to postgraduate students. There are two types of fee grants.
- Post Graduate Fee Contribution (€2000)
To be eligible for this an applicant must:
> Have reckonable income below €31500
- Tuition and Contribution
This covers all fees, subject to a maximum of €6270. This is the special rate of Post graduate grant.
To be eligible for this an applicant must:
> Have reckonable income below €22703
> Have a qualifying Social welfare payment included in the reckonable income.
All qualifying social welfare payments can be found on page 38 of the following document:
http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/1368781121/SI_159_of_2013_Student_Grant_Scheme_2013_Final.pdf

This is what I think is the case?

Annasopra

Clairessa yes

clairessa

Yeah hopefully after my appeal I will get the other amount and can't afford the fees myself. Anybody any experiences with the appeals?? Thanks for responses so far .

mightyreds

Sent in my appeal about a month ago were you waiting long to hear back

clairessa

I only sent mine on Friday cause only got word of grant on Tuesday. Hope won't have to wait too long.

GodlikeRed

mango salsa wrote: »

Or

2.Get all their tuition fees paid and essential field trips (up to €6,270), if they meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant for disadvantaged students – see below

My bad.

MoLo2013

I was in the same position last year but I had to wait until January before I received confirmation of the award of the 2k fee contribution. I enquired as to why I was refused the fee grant and it turned out I exceeded the requirements by 22.00 euro. My mother is on the widow's pension and my hours had been reduced in work so I was entitled to be subsidised by the social welfare to make up the 188.00. I appealed twice. For the first appeal I received the exact same letter that I received in January; for my second appeal I received an e-mail stating "completed". I was doing my HDip and it pretty much devastated me as I could not afford to pay the fees. I did the exams but I am not in a position to pay my fees yet and will probably never graduate. Just working on saving for my masters. Anyways, my advice is to leave college if you cannot afford to pay the fees. Also, you should note that there are 2 places to appeal to. Go to the higher office first - save the pointless hurdle of appealing to the susi grants office.

swatki

I am in the same situation i was on welfare for 3 years before and when doing my Post grad dip ,
I didn't get confirmation of the 2,000 until May last year ,
Im only appealing now as i have been out of the country since. I have'nt been able to graduate, and they wont let me until i pay them the rest. There is no way i can afford the fees.
Im raging also because I was going to drop out mid year of the course for different reasons and i was worried about my finances but the college careers counsellor assured me i would get the full grant.
I told the college this but all they said was she wasnt in a position to assure me this! , what is this higher office you talk about can you pm or give me their address or contact no.
I have sent the thing on to SUSI also
Thanks
Also if more people could add to this conversation

swatki

Just to add i was not on my parents income - i applied as an independent

MoLo2013

Hello swatki, sorry to hear about your situation but as you are probably aware, it is a common one created by SUSI. The government obviously instructed them to stall the process and give nothing to anyone. The government should have just said NO postgraduate fees instead of giving hope to people less fortunate who were forced to settle for a HDip instead of a Masters'. However, I will not be duped into paying the fees. Here is the website/dept. to consult for your next appeal:

http://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Management-Organisation/Higher-Education-Equity-of-Access-Section.html

I would also advise you to go to ALL your local TDs in relation to it; and if you have the will, the media. I am surprised at how hush-hush this problem was last year. I applied in June - I should have been informed before I commenced my course. It is a shocking disgrace! Cannot believe the lack of morality involved. Time to move out of Ireland me thinks.

Anyways, I wish you all the best

swatki

Thanks for this ,

Iv'e literally just spoke to another girl in the same course as me who appealed because she did'nt get any grant whatsoever and they only granted her the 2,000. disgraceful , she was told by them "no one will get the full amount" this does not leave me with much hope
but ill wait and see and re appeal if i have to , Thank you for the link- would it be wise to just wait to hear what SUSI say before going to these crowd?

oh yes I have already decided i want to leave this black hole of a country - I want to go on a grad visa ( or by some miracle win the green card lottery) to the US ..BUT i cannot apply for this until I graduate.... which leaves me in absolute limbo almost 3,000 hanging over my head until this is sorted

swatki

Just to quote some more of my friends story - she got after about half a year telling her she was awarded the "FULL FEES" - she thought great she was sorted but only to find out that when processed by the college - it became that full fee contribution meant 2,000 only , this really is a disgrace.

MoLo2013

Swatki, when you appeal really is up to you, as my advice would be to leave the course/college and NOT pay any fees yourself that you cannot afford. My experience has shown that there is no point. Do not waste your time, energy or money - appealing or studying in Ireland. Emigrate NOW and do a course aboard. I plan on going to the UK next year where my course is 2,000eur cheaper than doing it in Ireland, not to mention better job prospects. There is nothing going on in Ireland. You may as well get educated where you have a chance of getting a job. Do not think that SUSI will serve you. They are immoral.

swatki

Agreed Molo, yes you are right also about job prospects , my college have been just as bad as SUSI with dealing with my situation,
Unfortunately for me my course is finished and gone - my college have half the fees already pocketed , I wanted to drop out half way through the year but guidance counsellor assured me i would get full fees , now i'm screwed. I cant wait to get out once i can

bri007

why was the full fees only 2,000 award?

swatki

yes unfortunately

bri007

they seem to be cutting grants more and more and making it difficult to get one

MrSzyslak

same happened myself ran them today and they are reviewing my application told me they will be in contact with me soon.

Surely if you meet the requirements it will be given.

clairessa

I was successful with my appeal. I was granted the higher amount of 6250 which I am delighted about. I was just wondering if anyone could help me with this question. My fees for college are 5500 will I get the extra 750 euro.

GodlikeRed

'subject to a maximum of €6270'

I wouldn't count on it!

Annasopra

clairessa wrote: »

I was successful with my appeal. I was granted the higher amount of 6250 which I am delighted about. I was just wondering if anyone could help me with this question. My fees for college are 5500 will I get the extra 750 euro.

Doubtful.

swatki

There has been some updates with my i now call it struggle
I got a quick response from SUSI following my appeal letter and the replied with a congrats letter saying i got the full amount
I then went to my college - because they have to sort out the payment details with SUSI and then i can finally graduate !!!!!!!they put it to the bottom of their pile i think
I have just been into them again this week reminding them about the confusion and urgency of my case
Again i wait till monday

positive update hopefully to follow