student grant and FETAC

Volha

Hi, all. I have completed a course level 7, part-time, I got a certificate, I earned some credits about 45, I have been offered a place on undergraduate course level 7 , diploma course, will I get a student grant and free tuition fee? It says level must be higher but I have just certificate and to get diploma I have to study further or it doesn't matter it is a certificate course or not and if a level is the same I will not get any financial support?
Thanks

Sup08

Volha wrote: »

Hi, all. I have completed a course level 7, part-time, I got a certificate, I earned some credits about 45, I have been offered a place on undergraduate course level 7 , diploma course, will I get a student grant and free tuition fee? It says level must be higher but I have just certificate and to get diploma I have to study further or it doesn't matter it is a certificate course or not and if a level is the same I will not get any financial support?
Thanks

If the level 7 you already have is a major award, then you would not qualify for funding, but if it is a minor award on the NFQ then you may qualify for funding.

Check with the QQI or your previous course provider

Volha

actually I called them and they said if it is a level 7 I will not get funding for the first year, but it is level 8 that's ok. It doesn't matter that it is not a major award.

Sup08

Volha wrote: »

actually I called them and they said if it is a level 7 I will not get funding for the first year, but it is level 8 that's ok. It doesn't matter that it is not a major award.

Great that you are doing a Level 8, but who ever you spoke with in SUSI is wrong, the previous study attained on a course must lead to a major award on the NFQ to be not considered for grant assistance. All courses that qualify for grant assistance must lead to a major award as minor awards are not funded.

Student Support regulations 2015

Interpretation



2. (1) In these Regulations—

“Act” means the Student Support Act 2011 (No. 4 of 2011);

“framework of qualifications” means the framework of qualifications established

and maintained pursuant to section 7 of the Qualifications (Education and

Training) Act 1999 (No. 26 of 1999);

“postgraduate course” is a course leading to a major higher education and training

award at Level 8 (Higher Diploma), Level 9 (Postgraduate Diploma, Master

Degree), Level 10 (Doctoral Degree) on the national framework of qualifications,

or equivalent awards;

“prior scheme” means the Higher Education Grants (HEG) Scheme made pursuant

to the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992 or

the schemes administered by a Vocational Education Committee, namely the

Vocational Education Committees (VEC) Scholarship Scheme, the Third Level

Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees (TLT) and the Maintenance Grants

Scheme for Students attending Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses;

“undergraduate course” means a course leading to a major higher education

and training award at Level 6 (Higher Certificate), Level 7 (Ordinary Bachelor

Degree), Level 8 (Honours Bachelor Degree) on the national framework of

qualifications, or equivalent awards, other than a course known for the time

being as a post-leaving certificate course.

Volha

After I have read how many applications are rejected and the reasons for rejecting them I have a little hope in getting a student grant. It is my first application for a student grant and Im in a shock because I never new it could be so long to receive a decision, I have accepted a course already but in reality I can not afford to go to college without financial support. If my application is rejected I have no idea what to do with that course I have accepted, what to say to admission?

Volha

Volha wrote: »

After I have read how many applications are rejected and the reasons for rejecting them I have a little hope in getting a student grant. It is my first application for a student grant and Im in a shock because I never new it could be so long to receive a decision, I have accepted a course already but in reality I can not afford to go to college without financial support. If my application is rejected I have no idea what to do with that course I have accepted, what to say to admission?

Go ahead and apply for the grant anyway. Make sure you submit ALL the information required in order to speed the application up. I think if it is your first application, you might be ok. I think you cannot get a grant twice for the same level. Also, make the application for Level 8, which you can continue on and do after Level 7.