how do students afford college?

carzony

seriously, i wanted to go back this year to do a course in either legal or security related subject. The type of course i'd be intrested in is limited and even when I do find one it's mad expensive.

Level 6 hetac course 5,000 euro :eek: A interesting course in DIT is 6,000:eek: I know a girl doing a similar course and she doesnt even have a job.. How are they able to afford this?

It's all new to me folks......

Smartly Dressed

The govmint pays the fees. Monee well spent.

solomafioso

Selling coke and being hookers.

jellyboy

Mammys and Daddys








please close thread ,question answered:D

Lia_lia

Fees are paid by government. Grants. Mammy and daddy.

Doctor Strange

Depends. You get a grant and all fees paid (apart from registration fee) for your first attempt at each year in most cases. Beyond that, it's usually loans.

arybvtcw0eolkf

You get a parent like me, ride him onto the ground working two or three jobs to help two kids through college, simple as.

Worth it for both?... Absolutely

Other than that if anyone has an easier way you're a few years late telling me about it :mad:

EyeSight

Some parents pay, some get loans, some get grants, some get jobs

KeithM89

A loan, finally finished paying it last month....then took a new one out to buy a new car...

Oh, and selling dodgy kerosene helped too.

endacl

You plan ahead and save. Really hard. You work as much as possible while studying. You take out a loan to bridge the inevitable shortfall.

Then you graduate and the streets are paved with........


Feck it. At least they're paved!

urabell

My Dad is paying, the way it should be and I'm forever grateful for it

House of Blaze

If you're unemployed as well there is the possibility of Back to Education Allowance, something for which I will be truly grateful for the rest of my days!

Zemuppet

Going back after 5 years out so I'm saving my rear end off for the last while. Hope to get a year and a half worth of college funds by september then get the rest saved for second and third year by next September

Eogclouder

When I finished my leaving cert my parents offered to pay for it. They paid for 3 years and in final year I tool out a student loan and paid for the final year. I'm very grateful that I had the opportunity as now I'm set up with a job and prospects. No everyone's as lucky.

carzony

House of Blaze wrote: »

If you're unemployed as well there is the possibility of Back to Education Allowance, something for which I will be truly grateful for the rest of my days!

they only pay your dole every week now mate.. you still have fees, books ect..

House of Blaze

carzony wrote: »

they only pay your dole every week now mate.. you still have fees, books ect..

Yeah it's doable though. I did a four year degree on it.

Provided you are ok with not eating solid food etc..

And I never once bought a book. That's what libraries are for!

carzony

House of Blaze wrote: »

Yeah it's doable though. I did a four year degree on it.

Provided you are ok with not eating solid food etc..

And I never once bought a book. That's what libraries are for!

don't know how you managed. i done a fetac level 5 course last year and i was broke.. This year I wanted to progress but given the price and **** selection that may not happen...

House of Blaze

Ah in fairness I was lucky.

I graduated last year but between the time I started and the time I finished the administration fees increased by a factor of four, from €500 to about €2000.

I managed to get summer work for a couple of the years in between but it was still tough.

Was going in as a victim of the recession though so I wasn't really there for the social side of it, which takes out a lot of the day to day type of expense.

I wouldn't fancy starting out now though with €2000+ administration fees every year. I couldn't have done it had that been the case anyway.

_Redzer_

I was young and I needed the money.

Wait.

I'm still young. I'm still in college

carzony

House of Blaze wrote: »

Ah in fairness I was lucky.

I graduated last year but between the time I started and the time I finished the administration fees increased by a factor of four, from €500 to about €2000.

I managed to get summer work for a couple of the years in between but it was still tough.

Was going in as a victim of the recession though so I wasn't really there for the social side of it, which takes out a lot of the day to day type of expense.

I wouldn't fancy starting out now though with €2000+ administration fees every year. I couldn't have done it had that been the case anyway.

I'm really there to improve my prospects and atleast the college courses will stay with me forever lol I just wanna do another year and then hopefully find full time work but it seems impossible with the new fees. I really think the colleges have taken advantage of this recession:eek:... i believe even fetac will be getting a lot more expensive now..

did you find a job easily after college?

BonkeyDonker

Zemuppet wrote: »

Going back after 5 years out so I'm saving my rear end off for the last while. Hope to get a year and a half worth of college funds by september then get the rest saved for second and third year by next September

If you did not finish your previous course of study, or are doing a higher FETAC level, and have been out for five years then you may qualify as a second chance student and get your fees etc paid for you. You should also qualify for BTEA.

carzony wrote: »

they only pay your dole every week now mate.. you still have fees, books ect..

If you qualify for BTEA, and do not already poses an equivalent qualification your fees etc get paid for.

As for books, these days between libraries and the internet who actually needs books??

carzony

BonkeyDonker wrote: »

If you did not finish your previous course of study, or are doing a higher FETAC level, and have been out for five years then you may qualify as a second chance student and get your fees etc paid for you. You should also qualify for BTEA.



If you qualify for BTEA, and do not already poses an equivalent qualification your fees etc get paid for.

As for books, these days between libraries and the internet who actually needs books??

No mate they changed that rule. I know because I begged for them to pay my 400 euro fees last year and they wouldnt budge.

Zemuppet

BonkeyDonker wrote: »

If you did not finish your previous course of study, or are doing a higher FETAC level, and have been out for five years then you may qualify as a second chance student and get your fees etc paid for you. You should also qualify for BTEA.

I didn't finish my old course and I'm started a new one. Both were level 8 so I don't know if I can qualify for it

House of Blaze

carzony wrote: »

I'm really there to improve my prospects and atleast the college courses will stay with me forever lol I just wanna do another year and then hopefully find full time work but it seems impossible with the new fees. I really think the colleges have taken advantage of this recession:eek:... i believe even fetac will be getting a lot more expensive now..

I dunno, i'd say the colleges hands have been forced by cutbacks to education in general.

Very little else that could justify the increases I saw in the four years I was there which corresponded to all the austerity!

did you find a job easily after college?

Nope.. still unemployed and sickened by it

Jobs in IT my arse!

BonkeyDonker

carzony wrote: »

No mate they changed that rule. I know because I begged for them to pay my 400 euro fees last year and they wouldnt budge.

You sure, as I got my fees paid for my current level 8 course. That said it may be dependant on the level you are doing.

Zemuppet wrote: »

I didn't finish my old course and I'm started a new one. Both were level 8 so I don't know if I can qualify for it

It could be worth your while visiting here - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=832

carzony

so are you telling me they could potentially pay 5,000 for a course?

PizzamanIRL

Personally, I won a raffle to get into college.

BonkeyDonker

carzony wrote: »

so are you telling me they could potentially pay 5,000 for a course?

Yes, and more - if you and the course are eligible you can get your fees etc. paid for the duration of the course. I have two years left and will get them paid for as long as I continue to progress first time. If you are over 23 you may also be eligible for BTEA, which is worth more than the grant.

Like I said head over to the Mature & Non-Traditional Students forum as there is alot more knowledge over there.

Turtwig

Parents, state supports, if they're not available or don't provide enough, then a loan and debts. If you can get one approved.

Spunge

College here is ridiculously cheap compared to the UK or USA, be thankful. And if youre on social welfare you not only get it for free you get paid to do the thing. Only for non-eu or repeating years do you have to fork out more.

Still we are a few times more expensive than other EU countries where its totally free or way cheaper. But after talking to people ffrom the US or UK who are paying off loans for years after they graduated, im thankful.

SeantheMan

First year the fees aren't that high. Parents paid.
Then I got a part-time job, paid 50% of my fees with the parents every year

cournioni

I paid my own fees of €2850 per year for my four year part time degree (22 hour college week) and worked a 50 hour week on top of it. Full time students have it handy. :pac:

UCDVet

Spunge wrote: »

College here is ridiculously cheap compared to the UK or USA, be thankful. And if youre on social welfare you not only get it for free you get paid to do the thing. Only for non-eu or repeating years do you have to fork out more.

Still we are a few times more expensive than other EU countries where its totally free or way cheaper. But after talking to people ffrom the US or UK who are paying off loans for years after they graduated, im thankful.

Costs are quite comparable between the US and Ireland. The difference is in who pays/how they pay/when they pay. If you apply to UCD as a non-EU student and look at what they charge you, it's no cheaper than the US.

It's just whose paying it and when. For what it's worth - I know people who went to college in the US for 4 years and their income tax + student loan is still less than they'd pay in income tax in Ireland. So, is it really any different?

BonkeyDonker

UCDVet wrote: »

Costs are quite comparable between the US and Ireland. The difference is in who pays/how they pay/when they pay. If you apply to UCD as a non-EU student and look at what they charge you, it's no cheaper than the US.

It's just whose paying it and when. For what it's worth - I know people who went to college in the US for 4 years and their income tax + student loan is still less than they'd pay in income tax in Ireland. So, is it really any different?

Yes if you are unable to get a loan in the first place for any number of reasons. While the point you make about the overall costs may be a fair point it is a limitation to a system that allows anybody who is academically capable of attending college to do so, not only if they can afford to.

UCDVet

BonkeyDonker wrote: »

Yes if you are unable to get a loan in the first place for any number of reasons. While the point you make about the overall costs may be a fair point it is a limitation to a system that allows anybody who is academically capable of attending college to do so, not only if they can afford to.

I'm not sure I'm following - which system is the one that only allows students to attend if they can afford it?

Adamantium

UCDVet wrote: »

Costs are quite comparable between the US and Ireland. The difference is in who pays/how they pay/when they pay. If you apply to UCD as a non-EU student and look at what they charge you, it's no cheaper than the US.

It's just whose paying it and when. For what it's worth - I know people who went to college in the US for 4 years and their income tax + student loan is still less than they'd pay in income tax in Ireland. So, is it really any different?

No way in HELL are they! A guy I know who completed his liberal arts degree in NYU and then went on to do an MBA in financial planning/advice spent over 100,000 dollars over the course of all those years (the irony of that hit me with the force of a train), and so did his sister as well.

Then again they are living in a society that would leave you to rot and tell you it was your fault not to not go into debt, with the pretense that you've all the time in the world to pay it off and live your life afterwards.

UCDVet

Adamantium wrote: »

No way in HELL are they! A guy I know who completed his liberal arts degree in NYU and then went on to do an MBA in financial planning/advice spent over 100,000 dollars over the course of all those years (the irony of that hit me with the force of a train), and so did his sister as well.

Then again they are living in a society that would leave you to rot and tell you it was your fault not to not go into debt, with the pretense that you've all the time in the world to pay it off and live your life afterwards.

That's cheaper that UCD charges for two years of Veterinary Medicine and would have been 6-7 years of education.

EDIT: Okay - depending on the day and the exchange rate, it's roughly the same as two years of veterinary medicine at UCD. And I'm only looking at the *TUITION* - the guy you know in the US almost certainly used loans for cost of living during those 6-7 years.

The credit union is a great idea in the situation where you need a small loan for registration fee or unfortunately you might have to take a year save a bit and do it next year.

Grayson

UCDVet wrote: »

Costs are quite comparable between the US and Ireland. The difference is in who pays/how they pay/when they pay. If you apply to UCD as a non-EU student and look at what they charge you, it's no cheaper than the US.

It's just whose paying it and when. For what it's worth - I know people who went to college in the US for 4 years and their income tax + student loan is still less than they'd pay in income tax in Ireland. So, is it really any different?

Yes it's different. It can cost hundreds of thousands to do a degree in the US especially if you go to a state college or "Ivy league". Their tax after college may be different but it's not different enough to make the difference.

Lia_lia wrote: »

Fees are paid by government. Grants. Mammy and daddy.

You forgot bank loans.

Elessar

I work full time and go to college part time. That's how I afford it. I put in a combined 60+ hours a week between them not including study or projects, but I love it.

oldyouth

I have always said that you should only have kids if you can afford to rear them out of your own funds. I was fortunate to have 2 top lads who were always destined for college. As a result, I worked hard and did without (some) of the luxuries that my efforts earned.

Given that there is a 4 year gap in their ages, I have being paying approx €7,500 p.a for the last 7 years to support then in college (rent, travel, food, utilities etc). I wouldn't have it any other way and I know my boys appreciate it. They worked during the Summer months to contribute but I wouldn't have been happy with them working during term, preferring them to study, socialise and take part in sport

UCDVet

Grayson wrote: »

Yes it's different. It can cost hundreds of thousands to do a degree in the US especially if you go to a state college or "Ivy league". Their tax after college may be different but it's not different enough to make the difference.



You forgot bank loans.

It can cost hundreds of thousands to do a degree in Ireland.

Just to clarify - I'm talking about the actual cost, not the cost paid by the student. Look at the non-eu rates schools in Ireland charge, that's what it costs to educate someone here, without tax funds to offset the cost.
http://www.ucd.ie/registry/adminservices/fees/undergraduate2013.html

Those are per-year.
20k EUR per year in tuition is 27k USD per year. And that's just tuition - not cost of living expenses.

Compare that to US out-of-state tuitions and it's pretty much on par.

herisson

I was lucky enough to get a grant for my undergrad because both my parents were unemployed. Didn't go out that much, didn't treat myself to loads of things. I was very careful because my parents didn't have the money to help me out.

I was unemployed after college, but I got a part time job 2 days a week, while on casual signing. I'm still have the job. But last year I realised that I qualified for springboard, my post grad was paid for. But I worked hard four it while maintaining my job.

I haven't pissed it away or that. Still trying to find a job in the field at the moment.

Sugar Free

Parents paid for my degree (back when the fees were under 1000E a year) and I lived at home.

I paid for my masters myself by doing it part time and working full time. No fun at all.

Grayson

UCDVet wrote: »

It can cost hundreds of thousands to do a degree in Ireland.

Just to clarify - I'm talking about the actual cost, not the cost paid by the student. Look at the non-eu rates schools in Ireland charge, that's what it costs to educate someone here, without tax funds to offset the cost.
http://www.ucd.ie/registry/adminservices/fees/undergraduate2013.html

Those are per-year.
20k EUR per year in tuition is 27k USD per year. And that's just tuition - not cost of living expenses.

Compare that to US out-of-state tuitions and it's pretty much on par.

I did a search for the average cost of an Ivy League education and UCD is still lots cheaper.

My boss is based in Salt lake City. His daughter is heading to college this year and one of the colleges they looked at charged 25k per semester. I think that included accommodation, but still that's a fcuk load. It's not even Ivy League.

I'm doing an MSc in Business management. there's an american girl in my class. She's doing her masters here because it's far cheaper than the US. Her husband is doing an MA in Economics in the same college for the same reason.


I realise the point you're trying to make is that for a non eu citizen the costs are comparable and you're kinda right but there are two things.

1) The average student in the US has to pay hundreds of thousands whereas the average student here doesn't.

2) It's still cheaper for most Americans to come here.

happy 4th of july.

professore

oldyouth wrote: »

I have always said that you should only have kids if you can afford to rear them out of your own funds. I was fortunate to have 2 top lads who were always destined for college. As a result, I worked hard and did without (some) of the luxuries that my efforts earned.

You can't possibly know what your financial and health situation will be 18+ years after you have a kid unless you are stinking rich to begin with - and even then - anything could happen. If you get a long term illness - what then? So don't get too smug. By your standards no one should have kids.

ComputerKing

professore wrote: »

You can't possibly know what your financial and health situation will be 18+ years after you have a kid unless you are stinking rich to begin with - and even then - anything could happen. If you get a long term illness - what then? So don't get too smug. By your standards no one should have kids.

No she's been right if your not going to be able to support your kids and allow them to get a proper education then you shouldn't be having kids. Realistically no child should have to work their way through college or have to put themselves in debt or take handouts from the government so they can go to college because of their parents didn't plan properly or can't afford to pay for them.

ComputerKing

ComputerKing wrote: »

No she's been right if your not going to be able to support your kids and allow them to get a proper education then you shouldn't be having kids. Realistically no child should have to work their way through college or have to put themselves in debt or take handouts from the government so they can go to college because of their parents didn't plan properly or can't afford to pay for them.[/QUOTE


Your either a troll, or aged about 14, or being ironic, cant make up my mind which.

Elessar

ComputerKing wrote: »

No she's been right if your not going to be able to support your kids and allow them to get a proper education then you shouldn't be having kids. Realistically no child should have to work their way through college or have to put themselves in debt or take handouts from the government so they can go to college because of their parents didn't plan properly or can't afford to pay for them.

Will you stop. I've done many courses in my life and not once did I get a hand from my parents, not that there was no money, there was, but I would never expect a handout from them. I worked and paid for it myself, and got a small grant from the vec for one of the courses. Is my mother a bad mother because of that? No, she isn't.

And I would never expect a hand out either. If I want something I have to work for it, which is an excellent principle and one which I will be teaching my kids if I have any one day. Too many of daddy's little princes and princesses don't appreciate what they have because, sure daddy will pay for it!

shruikan2553

Most of the fees are covered for your first time so you just pay the student levy and reg fees. The grants can cover the reg fees so that just leaves living costs and student levy which can be paid for by either the grant, family or part time job (if you can actually manage to get one.)

Parents paid my registration fees and other costs associated costs for my degree but I lived at home and worked part time so was able to fund my petrol costs, going out and lunches etc myself (for the most part anyway).

My PhD was funded so the fees were covered and I was paid enough to live on for the most part (though I did get some help from my parents from time to time).