Grant process Blackhall

BatPateman

I just got off the phone with a representative on the SUSI hotline who had no idea how the process worked for securing a grant for the Blackhall exams (In fact, she asked me to explain to her what the Law Society of Ireland was).
I therefore, would appreciate if anyone could give their account of the process involved in securing a 'Back to Education' Grant for for the Blackhall Place PPCI & PPCII courses.
If I secure a training contract at the minimum wage can I still avail of the Grant to pay my fees?

MarkAnthony

Well lets not give out too much about the grant person given that the BTEA and the grant are two entirely different things.

The grant I can't help you with but the BTEA is through the social and requires you to have been unemployed for up to a year. I'm 90% sure the PPC1 etc will not qualify.

Pat Mustard

Ring the relevant local authority:
http://dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-recreation-culture/higher-education-grants

EDIT: I see that the local authority says to ring SUSI. Well, maybe I'd try to get someone helpful in the local authority who has been dealing with these for years and see if they have any tips for you.

Mr. Incognito

Ppc1 and ppc2 qualify for a grant.

Ring the law school who is the person who deals with it.

solarplexus

I am currently post PPC 1. I didn't apply for a grant last year but I have applied for a grant with Susi this year. There is currently a 4 - 6 week timeframe from when they receive all your documents to when you get a response. Its been 6 weeks now and I'm still waiting to hear. Really need to get it

BatPateman

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Well lets not give out too much about the grant person given that the BTEA and the grant are two entirely different things.

I would like to add that I am completely new to the whole grant process and thats why I am posting here. Could you please explain to me the difference between 'the grant' and 'BTEA'.

solarplexus wrote: »

I am currently post PPC 1. I didn't apply for a grant last year but I have applied for a grant with Susi this year. There is currently a 4 - 6 week timeframe from when they receive all your documents to when you get a response. Its been 6 weeks now and I'm still waiting to hear. Really need to get it

What requirements did you need to satisfy to secure this grant? I have read previous posts where people mentioned getting a maintenance grant and a fee grant. Is that what you have applied for?

MarkAnthony

BatPateman wrote: »

I would like to add that I am completely new to the whole grant process and thats why I am posting here. Could you please explain to me the difference between 'the grant' and 'BTEA'.

That's fine all I'm saying is you may have confused the person you were talking too somewhat so be kind

The BTEA is a state benefit given to people on the dole when they undertake a level 7 or 8 course. In very limited circumstances you can get it for further study, I'm pretty sure teaching is about the only qualifying course. You can get a job once you have the BTEA so long as it doesn't interfere with your studies. All in all it doesn't seem like a great fit to what you need. You only qualify if you've been unemployed for the last 12 months (some leeway) so you'd know pretty much straight off if this is something you qualify for. Speak to your local social welfare office.

The grant is given for people undertaking a course of study and is means tested. SUSI rings a bell - they're the people to call for more info I believe. As for Fee/Maintenance it depends on your circumstances and means as to which one you get. Maintenance is the higher threshold and helps pay towards rent or travel etc. rather than just paying your fees.

BatPateman

So SUSI clarified for me that they only fund fee contributions to Post Grad Students and do not fund any fund maintenance to Post Grads. There are two rates of fee contributions, the first is €2000 for those with an income below €31500. The second is €6270 for those with a household income below €22703 and you need to be on long term social welfare payments. Thanks to anyone who replied.

Inmyownworld

Does anyone have any experience in applying for a grant for PPC who has already done a Masters?

They're both level 9 and I know that you will only be eligible for a grant if you are attending a higher level than you have already achieved.

Buuuuut....I've also heard that the rules are different for Law in some respects because by attending PPC you are still progressing and therefore should still be eligible?

234

Inmyownworld wrote: »

Does anyone have any experience in applying for a grant for PPC who has already done a Masters?

They're both level 9 and I know that you will only be eligible for a grant if you are attending a higher level than you have already achieved.

Buuuuut....I've also heard that the rules are different for Law in some respects because by attending PPC you are still progressing and therefore should still be eligible?

I recall asking about this re the Inns and I was told that because the qualification was of a professional rather than an academic character you could still get the grant after doing a masters.

hullaballoo

234 wrote: »

I recall asking about this re the Inns and I was told that because the qualification was of a professional rather than an academic character you could still get the grant after doing a masters.

This is true fwir. Once you meet the requisite level of poverty for a grant, you have to be pursuing courses that are a higher level than the last one you did.

In other words, I did the King's Inns degree course, then did an LLM. I had always been entitled to a grant up until I sought to do my LLM and the reason provided wasn't that I was too rich, but that I was pursuing a course that was regarded (by whatever means they assess these things) as being a step or two below a professional degree.

Inmyownworld

234 wrote: »

I recall asking about this re the Inns and I was told that because the qualification was of a professional rather than an academic character you could still get the grant after doing a masters.

hullaballoo wrote: »

This is true fwir. Once you meet the requisite level of poverty for a grant, you have to be pursuing courses that are a higher level than the last one you did.

In other words, I did the King's Inns degree course, then did an LLM. I had always been entitled to a grant up until I sought to do my LLM and the reason provided wasn't that I was too rich, but that I was pursuing a course that was regarded (by whatever means they assess these things) as being a step or two below a professional degree.

Great, that's what I thought alright but wasn't 100%.

I definitely meet the poverty requirements!

You'd imagine it should go both ways, getting a further academic qualification after having a professional one at the same level and visa versa. Either way you're progressing and it's beneficial to what you're doing.

hullaballoo

Inmyownworld wrote: »

You'd imagine it should go both ways, getting a further academic qualification after having a professional one at the same level and visa versa. Either way you're progressing and it's beneficial to what you're doing.

I agree, as would most people. Unfortunately, the decision-makers are constrained by the framework in which they operate and thems the rules.

Dandelion6

Inmyownworld wrote: »

Does anyone have any experience in applying for a grant for PPC who has already done a Masters?

They're both level 9 and I know that you will only be eligible for a grant if you are attending a higher level than you have already achieved.

Buuuuut....I've also heard that the rules are different for Law in some respects because by attending PPC you are still progressing and therefore should still be eligible?

Yes, I got a grant for PPC after doing an LLM. A friend of mine in the same year at Blackhall had also done a Masters but it wasn't in law, so couldn't get a grant.

Sala

THe law society also have an access programme, a bursary, and the DSBA have a bursary so you should look into them too

Inmyownworld

Sala wrote: »

THe law society also have an access programme, a bursary, and the DSBA have a bursary so you should look into them too

I'm pretty sure I had a look at one or two of those, must do it again and see!

Thanks for yer help.