At a bit of a loss

thevinylword

Hi all,

At a bit of a loss so looking for some advice. My situation is a bit different to most so I'll try explain it concisely:

I'm leaving full-time employment to return to education to do a masters in Primary Teaching in Mary I. My girlfriend is currently unemployed due to illness (injured her back whilst on agency work in social care setting) and not looking like returning to work any time soon.

However, the application form for SUSI is asking about 2016 financial info, in which both she and I were employed. But our financial circumstances are very different facing into when I start in college.

It's just that it's looking like neither of us will be earning any income from when I leave my job and that I won't be entitled to any grant to help with fees.

Is there anyone I can talk to to explain our situation or other avenues I can explore?

Zoinks

There is a "change of circumstances" option within the SUSI online application form that will give you an opportunity to make your case. However, from my (somewhat confused to be honest) understanding of it, I think you will be means tested for income earned 2017 instead of 2016, which may not be helpful to you if I'm correct (and again, not entirely clear on procedure). You will still have to enter your 2016 financials, my assumption is they will ask for records pertaining to your 2017 financials though.

With that in mind, you can try continuing your application, but keep expectations tempered by the probability that their assessment might not be as accommodating as would be ideal. It is, unfortunately, exceptionally difficult to qualify for full fees and maintenance.

thevinylword

Cool, thanks for that. Fingers crossed I guess

Sup08

As said above, you will be assessed on your 2017 average income but just remember that you will only get €2000 post-grad contribution.

Also other criteria regarding independent residence, previous education etc. all still apply.

Zoinks

Sup08 wrote: »

As said above, you will be assessed on your 2017 average income but just remember that you will only get €2000 post-grad contribution.

Also other criteria regarding independent residence, previous education etc. all still apply.

Just to note that this year SUSI is providing full fee contribution and grant at special rate, provided all criteria are met.

https://susi.ie/eligibility/postgraduate-student/postgraduate-income-thresholds-and-grant-award-rates/

In practice, if you are assessed as dependent on your parents, or independent but you are living with your partner, in many cases your income is possibly over €23,000.

Sup08

Zoinks wrote: »

Just to note that this year SUSI is providing full fee contribution and grant at special rate, provided all criteria are met.

https://susi.ie/eligibility/postgraduate-student/postgraduate-income-thresholds-and-grant-award-rates/

In practice, if you are assessed as dependent on your parents, or independent but you are living with your partner, in many cases your income is possibly over €23,000.

Please note that the "full fee" contribution is not in fact full fees if the "full fees" are over the maximum rate.

As the OP stated that their girlfriend is out of work due to illness and more than likely in receipt of Illness benefit as a work place injury does not qualify for any other social welfare payment and the OP themselves have not stated whether they were in receipt of a qualifying payment last December, then they would not qualify for special rate grant assistance even if their reckonable household income was assessed under the €23000 threshold.

One of the persons who has reckonable income, even if such income is disregarded, one income must be a qualifying payment for special rate and the reckonable household income under €23000.

Zoinks

Fair enough; duly noted!