Mature student, Grant + BTEA issues

FedUp 2014

Is anyone else in the same boat? I cant get my back to education allowance until I send the social welfare office a letter from the college saying I am registered, the college wont let me register until I pay €687 which is 25% of the student contribution fees ( I explained that I am waiting on susi and I dont have €687 to give them and I was told they wont register me until I pay €687) I know I will get that money back but I cant produce it from thin air and after 6 weeks of waiting and 4 phone calls, susi still hasnt got back to me about the fee grant. I was told id be waiting 3-6 weeks and today I was told 8 weeks. I am stuck in limbo. Is this happening to anyone else?

bizzyb

FedUp 2014 wrote: »

Is anyone else in the same boat? I cant get my back to education allowance until I send the social welfare office a letter from the college saying I am registered, the college wont let me register until I pay €687 which is 25% of the student contribution fees ( I explained that I am waiting on susi and I dont have €687 to give them and I was told they wont register me until I pay €687) I know I will get that money back but I cant produce it from thin air and after 6 weeks of waiting and 4 phone calls, susi still hasnt got back to me about the fee grant. I was told id be waiting 3-6 weeks and today I was told 8 weeks. I am stuck in limbo. Is this happening to anyone else?

I'm going to AIT and I contacted the SU with the same query a few weeks ago and the said it wouldn't be a problem, if there not paid by November I would loose use of facilities and if not paid by December I would not get my Christmas exam results. Got my registration pack the other day and tuition fee and student contribution fee have already been deducted which is a puzzler because I'm still at final assessment stage, I'm not complaining! A bit unfair on your college behalf really, you've qualified for btea allowance so obviously like myself you've been unemployed for a while, we don't have spare cash lying around!

Kakidd

I dont think you can get BTEA and SUSI at the same time, is either one or another.

spudnick

Kakidd wrote: »

I dont think you can get BTEA and SUSI at the same time, is either one or another.

You can't qualify for maintenance and beta. OP is applying for student contribution

kaki

As a last resort, bear in mind that your college may have a Student Assistance Fund set up which you may be able to apply to for the €687 as a temporary measure until your BTEA is approved. Best get onto them sooner rather than later though.

Kakidd

well, I skipped the fee part, well, I guess so you can get the fee grant, anyways, its waiting game.
I also waiting on SUSI, course starts in 2 weeks

FedUp 2014

I rang the social welfare office they told me if I dont get that letter into them soon it will be a problem and I wont get my BTEA and I should go on the radio.... what do you say to that? I rang the college and spoke to someone in the student services office, they told me they will give me a letter saying that im pre-registered when I pay 80 euro (compulsory gym member fee) this Thursday on enrolment day. And I need to bring in proof of my susi and BTEA application. She will talk to me about the 687 euro on Thursday too. Fingers crossed the social welfare accept this letter. Otherwise i will be going on the radio or having a chat with a local TD. Thanks all for your input.