Urgent advice needed

Tramps Like Us

I'm really confused about this and I hope some people here can help. I had assumed some things but then I got talking to a friend who contradicted me so I'm a bit worried now.

Basically what's happened is that I didnt get a grant for my undergrad after I did my leaving, or even apply. I would have qualified but my mother was made redundant and she just said to leave it and gave me the money which was grand. She believed that if we didn't really need it we shouldnt claim. She had worked in the company in a well paid position for 30 odd years so it was a substantial amount she got. My father who was a taxi man quit about eight years before that after he inherited a good bit of money (paid off the mortgage and still had some left over). Anyway my parents are basically living off their savings for the next few years until my mum gets her pension.

Basically I'm confused about what grants if any I'll qualify for. The household income is pretty much nill (mum may get some social welfare, she did for a while anyway). My friend was saying to me that I'll get none because I didn't get an undergrad grant. Someone else was saying I'll only qualify for the 2000 euro grant. Another said I'll qualify for the disadvantaged one which is much more. I was reading about that and one of the conditions is your parents being on social welfare. Thing is while my mum signed on, my dad didn't for some reason. He says it was because he didn't need it because of his savings, too lazy if you ask me. He also doest want me to apply for a grant at all because while he hasnt worked for about ten years every now and again he'd do a nixer for his friend who runs a taxi company, filling in for someone sick when he was stuck as a dispatcher or something (a week a year at most). He's afraid now that the means test will get the tax man interested and he could get in trouble and that if he does they wont believe he only did a few days and his friend could get in trouble too.

Leaving aside my dad being stupid like this is his fear realistic? He wants me to get a job and save up :rolleyes: rather than get a grant.

Also I haven't lived at home for a year, but will probably have to move into my parents after xmas because lost my job and am broke. How can I become independently evaluated? My friend said to me that since I was living at home when I entered third level I have to have a three year gap between my undergrad and postgrad before I can be evaluated independently (finished undergrad this year)

I wouldnt be doing my postgrad until 2015 at the earliest so hopefully I'll have some money saved up. Even the 2k would be a massive help. Any advice would be appreciated.

Annasopra

Your friend is correct about the three year gap part but you can still apply under your parents income

You might be able to get a grant of upto 2000 or 6270.

I think you should apply for a grant anyway

Info here

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