Putting me through college

LegacyUser

Hi, I'm not too sure if this is the correct place to post but I need to rant.
I have just finished my 2nd Leaving Cert and will be starting college in Dublin in September. I'm from Kerry and so the move to the big smoke is a bit scary. My problem is that my parents seem oblivious to the fact that they will have to spend up to €10000 for me this month between college fees and crazy accommodation prices. I have tried to put any of my own money aside from babysitting and random weeks working but it really isn't enough. I repeated my Leaving Cert to get into a really good course, and I haven't left my room all year. I have worked so hard and I'm so worried that we can't afford it. My parents say "we'll find the money don't we always" but we aren't rich. When filling out my SUSI grant, our income was about €24000 which isn't much really. I am grateful, but I said to my mother that if we put even €50 away every week that it would amount to something but they're terribly unorganised. If we do get the grant, we won't get it for months because my application went in on the very last day due to their accountant not being paid by my parents to sort out the income section. Even if we do get the money, I will be made feel guilty for the next 4 years. I didn't have a summer job this year due to them being snapped up by college crowd before I finished my Leaving. Yet my father yells at me because I should have a job to pay for college myself. I tried with CV's and everything but he doesn't understand why I don't have one, but honestly I tried and I don't think a part time job would have made me enough anyway. I'm just dreading coming home every weekend with him shouting at me because I need money. Does anyone else get grief from their parents because they have to put you through college? Repeating the leaving was hard enough, and with results wednesday I'm feeling very disheartened that I'll have problems with accommodation and everything

LegacyUser

The course you are interested in, is it only offered in Dublin or is there any option in cork? Look if they don't have the money or you are feeling very stressed about finances, if you do get the course could you defer for a year in order to save up ? I know some people who have done this and even had to take a year out during their course just to get the money together.

Rubberchikken

I have no answers but just want to wish you the best.
You've repeated your LC to ensure you get a good course that you want so it sounds like you're a determined hard working person who'll achieve what they set out to do.

Your parents are probably worried so may be trying to not have you worry anout finances too. Not a great idea i know, but some people don't do organised (!) and you'll have to realise that and try talking calmly with them.
Good luck

R.D. aka MR.D

Have you looked into getting a loan?

You say that you got a good course, if that means a course with a very definite career/job at the end you could consider a loan.
It would be better not to have a loan but it's a possibility.

I don't want to sound harsh but the only other option is to wait and get a full-time job until you can afford to pay for college yourself.
Your parents aren't under any obligation to pay for your college, unfortunately.

KillMona

disheartenedstudent1 wrote: »

I'm just dreading coming home every weekend with him shouting at me because I need money.

If money is tight the likelihood of you being able to come home every weekend will be slim so maybe you won't have to worry about this. You could look around the city centre for some part-time work, a lot require experience but you might be lucky.

disheartenedstudent1 wrote: »

When filling out my SUSI grant, our income was about €24000 which isn't much really.

If that's the case then you will qualify for the 100% standard rate, tuition fees and student contribution. It may be late if you applied late but at least it'll ease the strain on your parents.

Also, when you're fully registered you could approach the finance officer in the Student's Union or the chaplain and enquire about the Student Assistance Fund.

I'm not sure what else to say to you, college is expensive in general but moving to study in Dublin is particularly expensive. €10000 is huge amount to lay your hands on, have your parents any kind of savings fund put away for you? For example if you had €5000 in the Credit Union you could maybe apply for a loan to make up the rest/ tide you over (although I know it's very difficult to get a loan these days, plus paying it off and interest rates etc. is difficult) but it's something to think about.

If it's really bad and your parent's are struggling to get the money together then I would suggest taking the year out to work and put away money yourself. It's a crap situation to be in especially after repeating the Leaving Cert but you don't want to be overly stressed about money when you're starting college and away from home for the first time.

Congrats on sitting the LC though, you worked hard so at least you'll have a decent result behind you.

Leo12

Hi I read your post and just had to reply as I have been in a similar situation. My parents couldn't help me much at all, they did what they could and I was most grateful but I deferred college for a year, worked 2 jobs (one in a factory full time, the other working 3 nights a week in a local pub) and saved as much as I could. I went to study at college in London, similar to Dublin regarding high rents and cost of living. It was my only way of doing it and I passed my degree. This is probably your best option. If their is no jobs locally them you can rent a shared room in Dublin for €250 pm and get a job or jobs and work your ass off to save. Other posters are right, it's not up to your parents to fund your degree. It's tough I know and congrats to going back and repeating your LC - not an easy thing to do at all...but I always believe that if you really want something you have to work hard for it. Good luck with everything

LegacyUser

op here...

The course is only in Dublin...100% employment rate so I suppose a loan is feasible? Could I do this myself, or do my parents have to get the loan? No savings, my father is a self employed builder and so doesn't earn a weekly wage( customers may not pay for weeks if they do not have it..so we may be poor for a month and may get a €10000 cheque the next month) This lack of organisation is just annoying because I'm quite punctual and OCD about everything so I try to do as much as I can myself but I don't understand finances .Its just hard when I want to be independent but I don't have the finances. I see it as an investment for my future. All my hard work, lack of friends and outings and tough year will be worth it in a few years, but I don't feel like I'm living right now. I feel I need to go to college to start living my life, I dunno :P


I don't think my emotions could handle deferring.. I'll be 21 in January which means I'll be much older than everyone else and I know there are many in college that are much older, but I also want to experience college with my lifelong friends. Even them going on J1's next summer while I'll be at home is upsetting. I just feel I'll be so depressed.

I'm the youngest of four kids, and none went to college..they did a trade, or a local course but I'm the only one living at home. I could ask my sister, but she has her own family and even though I know she would oblige, i'd forever feel guilty.

The grant will definitely help... but when possibly would it come in? I heard not until like 2015 as I'm so late..?


€250 a month for a shared isn't really realistic for accommodation in Dublin I don't think. It's city centre and because I'll be on my own, I really want student halls to meet others(super shy!) but I don't think we can afford that and finding a house is proving difficult.

In terms of part time Saturday work in Dublin, how hard would it be to find any? I have waitressing experience, as I had a job before the LC.

Thanks everyone for the replies, I was just ranting a little

ivytwine

disheartenedstudent1 wrote: »

op here...

The course is only in Dublin...100% employment rate so I suppose a loan is feasible? Could I do this myself, or do my parents have to get the loan? No savings, my father is a self employed builder and so doesn't earn a weekly wage( customers may not pay for weeks if they do not have it..so we may be poor for a month and may get a €10000 cheque the next month) This lack of organisation is just annoying because I'm quite punctual and OCD about everything so I try to do as much as I can myself but I don't understand finances .Its just hard when I want to be independent but I don't have the finances. I see it as an investment for my future. All my hard work, lack of friends and outings and tough year will be worth it in a few years, but I don't feel like I'm living right now. I feel I need to go to college to start living my life, I dunno :P


I don't think my emotions could handle deferring.. I'll be 21 in January which means I'll be much older than everyone else and I know there are many in college that are much older, but I also want to experience college with my lifelong friends. Even them going on J1's next summer while I'll be at home is upsetting. I just feel I'll be so depressed.

I'm the youngest of four kids, and none went to college..they did a trade, or a local course but I'm the only one living at home. I could ask my sister, but she has her own family and even though I know she would oblige, i'd forever feel guilty.

The grant will definitely help... but when possibly would it come in? I heard not until like 2015 as I'm so late..?


€250 a month for a shared isn't really realistic for accommodation in Dublin I don't think. It's city centre and because I'll be on my own, I really want student halls to meet others(super shy!) but I don't think we can afford that and finding a house is proving difficult.

In terms of part time Saturday work in Dublin, how hard would it be to find any? I have waitressing experience, as I had a job before the LC.

Thanks everyone for the replies, I was just ranting a little

I don't know what college you're going to, but I have heard Trinity are very good with their own accom and loan schemes.

I'd start looking on Daft right now for accom. Unfortunately you may just need to accept the facts that you won't be able to live on campus and there may be a bit of travelling involved. I couldn't afford to live on campus either but it was better crack off campus.

Also, I picked my college on the basis of where my friends were going- not the wisest move! One ended up going to a diff college in a diff city anyway and the other one went to a different college in the same city, we drifted apart. Not that it will happen to you necessarily, but be aware things might change anyway. Totally with you on the J1 though. Being from a poorer background meant I had to work every summer and I never got to go, but hey, that's life!

This might be a bit odd but how about looking to move up to Dublin now? If you start looking for waitressing jobs now- the Little Ass in Dawson St is hiring, and there would be more besides- and try and get your accom sorted now, you would be well ahead of the curve. Then- if you can get a lump sum together- you'll have your accom sorted and will begin to start earning money.

The rental market is mental here. I'd advise you to make a head start now.

I'd also advise you to approach the bank/credit union. They may lend you money if your parents are willing to co-sign.

R.D. aka MR.D

If memory serves me right some of the banks used to do a loan based on you getting your grant. You get a letter from the grant office saying that you are eligible and they will give you a loan until you can get the grant.
Try googling it.

I had my heart set on living on campus, too. It all fell through at the last minute and i panicked so much! I ended up having a great time. The people that I knew living in halls had a curfew and a load of other rules that I didn't. I still met loads of people through my flat mates and their friends from other colleges.

You say that it's city centre so I'm think it's probably Trinity. I went to Trinity. Friends of mine lived all over Dublin. A few even lived as far as Bray. One guy in my course cycled every single day hail, rain or shine for 45mins each way. So you don't have to live in the city centre.

If it is Trinity, as another poster mentioned, they are really good about helping out students who are struggling financially. Once you get accepted, don't be afraid to reach out to them for help.

LegacyUser

ivytwine wrote: »

I don't know what college you're going to, but I have heard Trinity are very good with their own accom and loan schemes.

I'd start looking on Daft right now for accom. Unfortunately you may just need to accept the facts that you won't be able to live on campus and there may be a bit of travelling involved. I couldn't afford to live on campus either but it was better crack off campus.

Also, I picked my college on the basis of where my friends were going- not the wisest move! One ended up going to a diff college in a diff city anyway and the other one went to a different college in the same city, we drifted apart. Not that it will happen to you necessarily, but be aware things might change anyway. Totally with you on the J1 though. Being from a poorer background meant I had to work every summer and I never got to go, but hey, that's life!

This might be a bit odd but how about looking to move up to Dublin now? If you start looking for waitressing jobs now- the Little Ass in Dawson St is hiring, and there would be more besides- and try and get your accom sorted now, you would be well ahead of the curve. Then- if you can get a lump sum together- you'll have your accom sorted and will begin to start earning money.

The rental market is mental here. I'd advise you to make a head start now.

I'd also advise you to approach the bank/credit union. They may lend you money if your parents are willing to co-sign.

None of my friends are in college in Dublin, so I was prepared to be alone anyway. My parents see how my friends' parents cope fine in UCC and UL etc so they think they'll be fine but their "sure it'll be grand" attitude is annoying, especially towards Dublin. I have a deposit on student accommodation but I was hoping I would have the grant in early to pay for it.. About the moving to DUblin now, I still don't know if I got the course. Yeah trinity, 2nd choice is DIT. Wont know until results wednesday( !!) Think I'll go about getting a loan, would it be an automatic thing or would it take a few weeks for the loan to come through?

Can anyone explain to me the student assistance fund? Have you heard of anyone getting this?
http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7585/check-your-eligibility/index.html

KillMona

Well it basically explains itself in the link you gave. I know a few people who got it, they said something about handing in receipts for expenses in college (weekly food shopping and transport were mentioned). The money received varies from student to student I think.

ivytwine

disheartenedstudent1 wrote: »

None of my friends are in college in Dublin, so I was prepared to be alone anyway. My parents see how my friends' parents cope fine in UCC and UL etc so they think they'll be fine but their "sure it'll be grand" attitude is annoying, especially towards Dublin. I have a deposit on student accommodation but I was hoping I would have the grant in early to pay for it.. About the moving to DUblin now, I still don't know if I got the course. Yeah trinity, 2nd choice is DIT. Wont know until results wednesday( !!) Think I'll go about getting a loan, would it be an automatic thing or would it take a few weeks for the loan to come through?

Can anyone explain to me the student assistance fund? Have you heard of anyone getting this?
http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7585/check-your-eligibility/index.html

Things are definitely easier financially in UL, but Cork is not THAT much cheaper than Dublin, especially rent wise.

I got the SAF in UL. They have an excellent programme called Access, they give you a form, you fill it out. I started in September and the SAF was in by October. If you get TCD, they have an access programme also: https://www.tcd.ie/Trinity_Access/

Re the loan: I dunno what bank you are with with, but with BOI as soon as you are approved the money is in your account within a couple of working days. I got approved for a loan recently- approved on the Wed, money was in the account on the Friday.

One thing to be aware of is, with BOI at least, there is no longer the option to defer your repayments. They have been burned too much by people defaulting or emigrating owing money, so they do expect repayments right away, or so I was told. So if you DO get a loan, make sure that you have structured the repayments to manageable weekly amounts.

Good luck Wed! It's not a very pleasant feeling having the results hovering over you. You'll def feel better on Wed when you know what's definitely happening and you can make a plan.

Santa Cruz

Firstly give up this idea of going home every weekend as this will cost you 70 euro on train fares along. Get to Dublin, sort out some accommodation and see can you source a weekend job. If the parents are whinging tell them you have tutorials on Saturdays and that you will be home at Christmas. There are part time jobs there, even night security that will get you through. When you are working you aren't spending

InReality

fair play on repeating , give yourself some praise for that. I'd be inclined to ask your sister for help or a loan. It could end up being of huge help/relief to you and might not be much hassle for her. and sounds like you will be in a good position to pay her back in a few years.
It used to be if you were on a grant any bank would give you a overdraft/loan until the grant came through , pretty much automatically.