Clarification on Back To Education Allowance (BTEA) and college course fees

TheKaiserChief

I can't seem to find full information on these questions.

But if I accept voluntary redundancy in the next couple of months, which is offering more than just statutory, will I be elligible to get a full time college course in engineering and the BTEA from September 2015?

Also, do I have to pay the college fees? (Which are big, like over €4k per annum).

Finally I heard you can take a full time job too, is this correct?

Thanks all for the help.

Annasopra

TheKaiserChief wrote: »

I can't seem to find full information on these questions.

1 But if I accept voluntary redundancy in the next couple of months, which is offering more than just statutory, will I be elligible to get a full time college course in engineering and the BTEA from September 2015?

2 Also, do I have to pay the college fees? (Which are big, like over €4k per annum).

3 Finally I heard you can take a full time job too, is this correct?

Thanks all for the help.

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

Q1 No - You have to have the qualifying 234 days of unemployment in Sept 2015

Persons awarded Statutory Redundancy under Irish legislation may have immediate access to the BTEA scheme, (or within one year of the award of the Statutory Redundancy), provided an entitlement to a relevant Social Welfare payment is established immediately prior to commencement of an approved course of study. However, persons who opt for a voluntary redundancy scheme cannot have immediate access to BTEA.

Q2 You have to apply to SUSI for fees - Out of interest - why would your fees be over 4k?

Q3 No - They allow for part time work - not full time work

It should be noted that BTEA participants may commence part-time employment without affecting their rate of BTEA payment but only after commencing BTEA, provided the work does not interfere with college attendance.

TheKaiserChief

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Q1 No - You have to have the qualifying 234 days of unemployment in Sept 2015



Q2 You have to apply to SUSI for fees - Out of interest - why would your fees be over 4k?

Q3 No - They allow for part time work - not full time work

Thanks for your response, I appreciate the help : )

1. So if I take voluntary redundancy from October 2014 and am unemployed, do I have to be a minimum of 9 months on social welfare?

Also, if I qualify for the BTEA, is it a 52 week paid thing for the duration of the course (4 years), or is it just paid from the college term (say September to May of each year)?

2. Sorry I got my fees mixed up. I was looking at engineering, and the course fees per EU student are actually around €7,500 per year. That's in NUIG.

3. So I can get a part-time job and it not affect my BTEA, great : )

Annasopra

TheKaiserChief wrote: »

Thanks for your response, I appreciate the help : )

1. So if I take voluntary redundancy from October 2014 and am unemployed, do I have to be a minimum of 9 months on social welfare?

Also, if I qualify for the BTEA, is it a 52 week paid thing for the duration of the course (4 years), or is it just paid from the college term (say September to May of each year)?

2. Sorry I got my fees mixed up. I was looking at engineering, and the course fees per EU student are actually around €7,500 per year. That's in NUIG.

3. So I can get a part-time job and it not affect my BTEA, great : )

1 Yes - see 1.9 Qualifying Conditions

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

BTEA is paid from September to May and you can claim jobseekers or work the Summer months

2 - Sorry I am confused - do you already have a third level degree?

3 See 1.16.3 Revised Decision

TheKaiserChief

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

1 Yes - see 1.9 Qualifying Conditions

BTEA is paid from September to May and you can claim jobseekers or work the Summer months

2 - Sorry I am confused - do you already have a third level degree?

3 See 1.16.3 Revised Decision

Thanks again : )

1. I understand that now.

2. No I don't have any qualification at all. I'd be starting college as an undergraduate.

Annasopra

TheKaiserChief wrote: »

Thanks again : )

1. I understand that now.

2. No I don't have any qualification at all. I'd be starting college as an undergraduate.

Ok to explain fees

There are THREE fee components

1 Tuition fees - Normally once a person is eligible these are free
2 Student contribution - I think this is €3000 from 2015 - You would apply to SUSI for a grant to cover this
3 Student levy - This is the fee a College levies on its students to pay for certain facilities e.g. a gym - It is usually mandatory and about roughly €200

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

So hopefully SUSI would give you a grant to pay the Student contribution fee and the only fee you would pay would be the NUIG levy