Susi grant

JoeR91

Just checked my status on my grant and it's saying "provisionally awarded cao details received queued for final assessment"

I'm gonna assume this is good news??

Sup08

JoeR91 wrote: »

Just checked my status on my grant and it's saying "provisionally awarded cao details received queued for final assessment"

I'm gonna assume this is good news??

Yes, it is good news. Basically if you change your mind on the course you wanted you will have to submit a final acceptance form, if you don't you should get awarded a grant based on your income thresholds.

JoeR91

Sup08 wrote: »

Yes, it is good news. Basically if you change your mind on the course you wanted you will have to submit a final acceptance form, if you don't you should get awarded a grant based on your income thresholds.

Happy days thanks

AngryLips

Still no progress on my application

I wonder when I should start stressing given that I submitted my application within the first week that it opened.

Does anyone know if they always ask for more info or are there any instances where they just approve the whole lot?

Sup08

There are many instances where applications are approved with no further documents required.

baron von something

They sent out their letters asking for extra information about 2 weeks ago so if you needed to supply anything extra I'm sure you would have gotten a letter by now. My letter came on Thursday saying that they needed extra documentation from me

If you're in doubt about the stage of the process or if you need to supply more information then send them an email. At least it'll give you peace of mind

AKeenan348

Hi,

Applied for SUSI this year. Just got word my applications been refused on the basis I did yr 1 of another degree at Trinity 18 years ago. Absolutely heartbroken, especially since I already have my place at college. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

eternal

AKeenan348 wrote: »

Hi,

Applied for SUSI this year. Just got word my applications been refused on the basis I did yr 1 of another degree at Trinity 18 years ago. Absolutely heartbroken, especially since I already have my place at college. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Have you a degree? If you only did one year you should be entitled to a grant.

AKeenan348

eternal wrote: »

Have you a degree? If you only did one year you should be entitled to a grant.

No, don't have anything better than level 6. I would understand then, because that really would discount me. When I rang them, they told me that because I the whole year of 97/98 at Trinity then left, due to emotional and mental stress, that discounts me straight away. First time I've heard of that. You know what's really pissing me off? I want to do a degree to get off SW, They deny me my grant, which I'll have to stay on SW, while I look for a job that doesn't exist, that I have to get because they don't want ppl signing on anyway, and all the ministers give themselves a nice big bump in income and pension funds. You can't know how much I want to stand in the middle of a field and scream right now.

eternal

AKeenan348 wrote: »

No, don't have anything better than level 6. I would understand then, because that really would discount me. When I rang them, they told me that because I the whole year of 97/98 at Trinity then left, due to emotional and mental stress, that discounts me straight away. First time I've heard of that. You know what's really pissing me off? I want to do a degree to get off SW, They deny me my grant, which I'll have to stay on SW, while I look for a job that doesn't exist, that I have to get because they don't want ppl signing on anyway, and all the ministers give themselves a nice big bump in income and pension funds. You can't know how much I want to stand in the middle of a field and scream right now.

Ok so the level 6? Is that what's stopping it maybe. You had the break of over five years and tried again thus you don't seem elligible. They are desperate to deal with, I'm applying for a Post Grad grant and it's a nightmare.

AKeenan348

Yeah,

I've already been told that I'll be entitled to fees, but no maintenance and no BTEA, IF I want to do a postgrad. Jesus Christ, it shouldn't be this difficult. Was told by SUSI it wasn't the level 6. If anything, that helps my case because it's progression from level 6 to level 8. Andrea - the girl on the SUSI helpline - more or less said that the decision will be upheld, so why bother? I'm really, really upset about it. Thinking of seeking legal advice, and writing to the education minister.

eternal

AKeenan348 wrote: »

Yeah,

I've already been told that I'll be entitled to fees, but no maintenance and no BTEA, IF I want to do a postgrad. Jesus Christ, it shouldn't be this difficult. Was told by SUSI it wasn't the level 6. If anything, that helps my case because it's progression from level 6 to level 8. Andrea - the girl on the SUSI helpline - more or less said that the decision will be upheld, so why bother? I'm really, really upset about it. Thinking of seeking legal advice, and writing to the education minister.

No, don't do that. Email them and try and reapply. I was on the phone to them for weeks and because I stayed briefly with my parents five years ago they want me to apply under them. I'm a grown, independant woman paying for everything. I told them it was ridiculous but they wouldn't listen. They just don't want to pay out.

AKeenan348

Don't they restrict each student to one application per year? What's the odds it'll come out same way anyway?

eternal

AKeenan348 wrote: »

Don't they restrict each student to one application per year? What's the odds it'll come out same way anyway?

I cancelled my application and will reapply under different circumstances. I'll check the details later for you but you should persevere if you can. Ring and email them. All you can do is try.

AKeenan348

eternal wrote: »

No, don't do that. Email them and try and reapply. I was on the phone to them for weeks and because I stayed briefly with my parents five years ago they want me to apply under them. I'm a grown, independant woman paying for everything. I told them it was ridiculous but they wouldn't listen. They just don't want to pay out.

eternal wrote: »

I cancelled my application and will reapply under different circumstances. I'll check the details later for you but you should persevere if you can. Ring and email them. All you can do is try.

Thanks for the advice. Good luck with your own application.

Sup08

AKeenan348 wrote: »

Hi,

Applied for SUSI this year. Just got word my applications been refused on the basis I did yr 1 of another degree at Trinity 18 years ago. Absolutely heartbroken, especially since I already have my place at college. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

It is impossible to be refused based on one year attended 18 years ago.

If you attended a level 6 after the year of the Trinity course and received funding/a grant, then once you are progressing from your level 6 you would be eligible for funding once you meet all other criteria.

You would most certainly meet the second chance student criteria if you have had a break of 5 years or more from your studies in 97/98.

The SUSI helpdesk person has it wrong and they most certainly cannot advise people not to ask for a review/appeal, that is your choice not theirs.

AngryLips

AKeenan348 wrote: »

Hi,

Applied for SUSI this year. Just got word my applications been refused on the basis I did yr 1 of another degree at Trinity 18 years ago. Absolutely heartbroken, especially since I already have my place at college. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I am in a similar situation to you in that I only ever completed first year of a level eight course when I first finished school. But my Susi application hasn't been processed yet. However, when I spoke to one of their agents to see if I might be eligible for the grant, I was told that I would be eligible on account of the fact that the one year I did was over ten years ago.

paperclip2

AKeenan348 did you do a fulltime study in the last 5 years? If not then I can't understand why they aren't looking at you as a 2nd chance student if you meet the criteria.

Section 13. 6 of the grant scheme 2015 says:

(6) A mature student pursuing an approved course following a break in studies of at least five years, in circumstances where the mature student previously attended, but did not successfully complete, a course and is returning in order to pursue an approved course in the relevant academic year, shall be known as a “second chance student”.

Also Section 15.9 says

(9) Notwithstanding paragraphs (6), (7) and (8), a second chance student or
second chance tuition student, in accordance with article 13(6), returning in
order to pursue an approved course, may be considered eligible for a grant to
pursue an approved course, including where this provides for a repeat period of
study, subject to the rules of progression, as provided for in this Scheme and
section 2 of the Act.

http://susi.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Student-Grant-Scheme-2015_1.pdf

I don't understand what their reasoning is given the information you've provided here.

compo1

Mine is "queued waiting for decision" How long does this take, anybody know?

JoeR91

compo1 wrote: »

Mine is "queued waiting for decision" How long does this take, anybody know?

4-6 weeks

AngryLips

Since my grant application was submitted seven weeks ago, should I contact them about it to see if there is any progress? My application status is 'application submitted and queued for provisional assessment' ...it just seems like a long time

SarahSTARRR

I'm in the same boat. My application has been 'queued for Final Assessment' since the 18th of June.

I contacted Susi the other day and they advised me the following:

Your application is currently awaiting its final review. Please rest assured that you will be contacted as soon as there are any updates in relation to this.

Once your course details are reviewed, you have registered with your college and your college confirms your registration, your application will move to the final assessment phase.

Grant award letters will issue to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria, once the assessment of their application is complete.

Did you know that you do not need to call or email us to check if we have received your application or documents. You can quickly and easily check the progress of your application using the online tracker by logging in to your SUSI application account with your username and password. For more information about the online tracker visit our website www.susi.ie.

I hope this information helps. Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me again or alternatively you can call the SUSI Helpline on 0761 087874 and one of my colleagues will be able to advise you further.

Kind regards,
Ronan
SUSI Support Team

JoeR91

My status on my application was provisionally awarded but they requested further prove of my residency so it's gone back to document schedule received

SameHorse

are they automatically emailing you guys when there's updates to your application, or are you just noticing this stuff by logging in to your account frequently ?

JoeR91

SameHorse wrote: »

are they automatically emailing you guys when there's updates to your application, or are you just noticing this stuff by logging in to your account frequently ?

I check mine every couple of weeks

AKeenan348

AngryLips wrote: »

I am in a similar situation to you in that I only ever completed first year of a level eight course when I first finished school. But my Susi application hasn't been processed yet. However, when I spoke to one of their agents to see if I might be eligible for the grant, I was told that I would be eligible on account of the fact that the one year I did was over ten years ago.

SUSI's criteria for Second Chance education is that you need to leave a complete five year gap from education after your original year at 3rd level college. If only second attempt at degree level, and no courses in between, then you're in a better position than I am.

AKeenan348

paperclip2 wrote: »

AKeenan348 did you do a fulltime study in the last 5 years? If not then I can't understand why they aren't looking at you as a 2nd chance student if you meet the criteria.

Section 13. 6 of the grant scheme 2015 says:



Also Section 15.9 says


http://susi.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Student-Grant-Scheme-2015_1.pdf

I don't understand what their reasoning is given the information you've provided here.

I did a Level 5 and Level 6 from 2013 - 2015. According to the SUSI desk, this helped my case, as it was progression from level 6 to level 8. Then shortly after I submitted my paperwork and documents, I was told by SUSI that because my FETAC Level 5 and 6 was not directly linked to the course in my new course, that might complicate things and influence the decision. My original attempt at 3rd level was in 97/98 academic year. 18 years ago. Well over the five year gap required in the criteria. I feel like they're moving the goalposts. It shouldn't be this hard. 2nd chance education should mean exactly that. I worked my arse off for my Level 5 and 6, now i feel like it's been for nothing.

AKeenan348

SameHorse wrote: »

are they automatically emailing you guys when there's updates to your application, or are you just noticing this stuff by logging in to your account frequently ?

i strongly advise you check it at least a few times a week. I phoned the help desk to ask on what kind of time frame would the decision on my application might come through. I was told that SUSI don't update anyone's page, until school leavers get leaving cert results in August, and therefore everyone is informed about their grant application together, to make it fair for all applicants. I logged in four days later and seen they refused my application. If I had've gone by her advice, I would have not been informed of their decision to refuse my application and I would not have been able to appeal, as the time lapsed on my page being updated and if I waited to check on it in August, as that person on the SUSI help desk suggested would be past 30 days.

Sup08

AKeenan348 wrote: »

I did a Level 5 and Level 6 from 2013 - 2015. According to the SUSI desk, this helped my case, as it was progression from level 6 to level 8. Then shortly after I submitted my paperwork and documents, I was told by SUSI that because my FETAC Level 5 and 6 was not directly linked to the course in my new course, that might complicate things and influence the decision. My original attempt at 3rd level was in 97/98 academic year. 18 years ago. Well over the five year gap required in the criteria. I feel like they're moving the goalposts. It shouldn't be this hard. 2nd chance education should mean exactly that. I worked my arse off for my Level 5 and 6, now i feel like it's been for nothing.

I understand this more with your above post.

The gap between the two level 8 must be unbroken to be considered a second chance student. Doing the course between your level 8's has broken the gap excluding you from the second chance criteria. Your gap in education is now between your level 6 and your current level 8 application.

AKeenan348

Sup08 wrote: »

I understand this more with your above post.

The gap between the two level 8 must be unbroken to be considered a second chance student. Doing the course between your level 8's has broken the gap excluding you from the second chance criteria. Your gap in education is now between your level 6 and your current level 8 application.

I was informed by SUSI, Career Guidance tutors, education officers in two different districts that my Level 5 and Level 6 would be viewed as progression. Even Registry staff at Trinity and DCU can't understand why I've been refused, since they seem to think that I come within the five year criteria. Was also informed that the five years would be counted after the original year at Trinity. Which would have started in the 98/99 academic year. If what you say is true, then they really are moving the goalposts, and it's completely unfair. They won't even tell me what documents they require to support my appeal.

Sup08

AKeenan348 wrote: »

I was informed by SUSI, Career Guidance tutors, education officers in two different districts that my Level 5 and Level 6 would be viewed as progression. Even Registry staff at Trinity and DCU can't understand why I've been refused, since they seem to think that I come within the five year criteria. Was also informed that the five years would be counted after the original year at Trinity. Which would have started in the 98/99 academic year. If what you say is true, then they really are moving the goalposts, and it's completely unfair. They won't even tell me what documents they require to support my appeal.

A second chance student must have an unbroken gap and unfortunately you broke that gap attending the level 5 at first and then the level 6.
This is in the student grant scheme.

Student Grant Scheme 2015

(6) A mature student pursuing an approved course following a break in studies of at least five years, in circumstances where the mature student previously attended, but did not successfully complete, a course and is returning in order to pursue an approved course in the relevant academic year, shall be known as a “second chance student”.

Your original gap is now from your year 1 in 97/98 to your level 5 as this is the point that you returned to an approved course.

paperclip2

Sup08's post tallies with what some of our students were told by SUSI. That there has to be no fulltime/ full award study within the last five year period if you want to be assessed as a second chance student. They will discount partial or minor awards.

To make things a little more complicated the Free Fee Initiative can discount further education full awards at level 5/6 QQI FETAC within the same five year period. I.e it is possible to have your tuition fees paid as a second chance student under this scheme even if you did FETAC QQI courses within the last 5 years. Wont help with the student contribution or maintenance grant though.

AngryLips

paperclip2 wrote: »

To make things a little more complicated the Free Fee Initiative can discount further education full awards at level 5/6 QQI FETAC within the same five year period. I.e it is possible to have your tuition fees paid as a second chance student under this scheme even if you did FETAC QQI courses within the last 5 years. Wont help with the student contribution or maintenance grant though.

Do you apply the free fee initiative through susi also or how does it work?

AKeenan348

i waited 13 years to go back into education. 13 years is lot longer than five, so how the **** am I not considered as second chance.

AKeenan348

Sup08: i waited 13 years to go back into education. 13 years is lot longer than five, so how the **** am I not considered as second chance. this really contradicts what SUSI told me and is so frustrating and upsetting.

Sup08

AKeenan348 wrote: »

Sup08: i waited 13 years to go back into education. 13 years is lot longer than five, so how the **** am I not considered as second chance. this really contradicts what SUSI told me and is so frustrating and upsetting.

You returned to and completed 2 Fetac courses, this means you now have no gap between your last course and the current course you wish to attend.

paperclip2

AngryLips wrote: »

Do you apply the free fee initiative through susi also or how does it work?

No, Its usually decided on by the college you apply to and done automatically. They look at your info and decide what fees you're liable for, if you meet the terms of the Free Fee Initiative they get your tuition fees from the DES. You would then just be liable for the Student contribution. Afaik FF doesn't count FETAC as breaking the 5 years as they are only interested in third level study. There are some difference in the 2nd chance rule for free fees between the universities and the Insts of Tech. So check with the fees office where you are applying.

More info is available from the DES policy unit on funding for Higher Ed: (057) 932 5406

paperclip2

SUP08 is right. They can get away with it as the relevant piece of legislation says 'a break in studies of at least five years,' . It doesn't say a break in third level studies, so any fulltime courses can be seen as breaking the relevant 5 year period.
However they can discount minor awards if done in the 5 years though which is somewhat of a contradiction.

AngryLips

paperclip2 wrote: »

SUP08 is right. They can get away with it as the relevant piece of legislation says 'a break in studies of at least five years,' . It doesn't say a break in third level studies, so any fulltime courses can be seen as breaking the relevant 5 year period.
However they can discount minor awards if done in the 5 years though which is somewhat of a contradiction.

When I checked the susi website it seems they only count full time education. So if your level 5/6 course is part time I don't think it's considered towards the break in education

Sup08

AngryLips wrote: »

When I checked the susi website it seems they only count full time education. So if your level 5/6 course is part time I don't think it's considered towards the break in education

It is counted as any course that leads to a major award on the NFQ.
This includes part-time courses and even apprenticeships.

When it comes to the 3 years gap to be re-classed, the courses between must be approved and is defined "an approved course", but when you are requesting to be considered a second chance student it is defined as "a course" meaning the above.

Foltar

I received a letter from Susi today saying that because my circumstances have changed, that my application has been cancelled.

Last year when I applied I was living with my parents and was classed as a mature dependent. This year, however, I have moved to Dublin to be closer to college, meaning I should now be assessed as a mature independent. According to susi, I can only be assessed as per my first application(living at home) and they have cancelled my application.

Has anyone else had this issue. Thanks

Sup08

Foltar wrote: »

I received a letter from Susi today saying that because my circumstances have changed, that my application has been cancelled.

Last year when I applied I was living with my parents and was classed as a mature dependent. This year, however, I have moved to Dublin to be closer to college, meaning I should now be assessed as a mature independent. According to susi, I can only be assessed as per my first application(living at home) and they have cancelled my application.

Has anyone else had this issue. Thanks

You cannot change your class from Mature Dependent to Mature Independent until you have a break of 3 years or more from studies.
You remain classed as a mature dependent from your point of entry and will remain classed as such until the above as been attained.
Where you live and your marital status does not change you class once you have been classed at your point of entry or re-entry.

Dair76

Can I get a little advice regarding a previous course and the SUSI application please?

Basically I did an evening course in quality management through work a few years ago. It only counts as ten credits towards a level 7 qualification on the NFQ. Does that mean I don't have to acknowledge it at all on my SUSI application?

Sup08

Dair76 wrote: »

Can I get a little advice regarding a previous course and the SUSI application please?

Basically I did an evening course in quality management through work a few years ago. It only counts as ten credits towards a level 7 qualification on the NFQ. Does that mean I don't have to acknowledge it at all on my SUSI application?

It is not an approved course, you did not get the qualification and therefore does not count.

If it does lead to a major award on the NFQ, you may have a period of study to complete.

Dair76

Sup08 wrote: »

It is not an approved course, you did not get the qualification and therefore does not count.

If it does lead to a major award on the NFQ, you may have a period of study to complete.

Thanks Sup08. Could you explain what you mean in the bolded part?

Sup08

Dair76 wrote: »

Thanks Sup08. Could you explain what you mean in the bolded part?

If the course you previously attended leads to a major award on the NFQ and was partially completed. Even if the course was part time, you may have to do a repeat period of study based on the amount of credits attained.
So if you attend a new course that has 30 credits for the same year already attended (year 1) then you may have a period of study of 3 months.
This means you get no funding for the first 3 months.

Dair76

Ah okay, thanks.

maude6868

I just got turned down by SUSI for my daughter. She got fees paid last year but not this year. Her summer earnings were added on to the reckonable income and assessed as overall income. Is this how it works. It didn't work like that last year.

Sup08

maude6868 wrote: »

I just got turned down by SUSI for my daughter. She got fees paid last year but not this year. Her summer earnings were added on to the reckonable income and assessed as overall income. Is this how it works. It didn't work like that last year.

There is a maximum allowance of €3809 for out of term earnings for the student but proof of earnings is required.

maude6868

She earned only a little but it pushed me over the threshold. Also I have another daughter starting college this year and that wasn't taken into account in the assessment even though she has applied to SUSI too.

Sup08

maude6868 wrote: »

She earned only a little but it pushed me over the threshold. Also I have another daughter starting college this year and that wasn't taken into account in the assessment even though she has applied to SUSI too.

You can request a review of the application and give details of your other daughter as well.
They will then request the documents to support your review. If your other daughter has a w reference number, supply that in your review request.