SUSI's definition of "progression" for second chance student grants

rhythm90

Hi all,

I'm returning to third level this September to study level 8 Computing at ITT and have applied for the student grant with SUSI.

I'm 27 and at 17 did one year at level 8 in Multimedia at IADT before dropping out.

In 2014 I did a level 6 higher certificate in digital marketing one year course at NCI.

I've looked through the 2017 Student Grant Scheme document: https://susi.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Student-Grant-Scheme-2017-S-I-125-No-of-2017.pdf and while it does class me as a 'second chance student' & says I would still be eligible for a grant even though I've done a course at level 6 in the meantime... it seems like it will hinge on their definition of "progression"...

In short I did Multimedia in 2007 for a year - no award;
did Digital Marketing in 2014 - got a level 6;
... now am looking to formalise by getting a proper level 8 degree behind me in Computing...

Do ye think this constitutes "progression"?

I mean it's not like I'm jumping around from industry to industry....

Help put my mind at ease!!

Shedy

Yes that constitutes progression moving from level 6 to 8. Best of luck

Sup08

There can be no study between dropping out when you were 17 and now wanting to enter the level 8 now.

Doing the level 6 between your two level 8's, disqualifies you as a second chance student, so currently you would not be entitled to any grant assistance until you enter year 2 of the level 8 course.

Janeh9

I did a year of an arts course a few years ago and am changing to an engineering course now, i was talking to a SUSI rep at an open day and he said if you've sat and passed first year exams you're not eligable for the grant for first year but you are for second year because technically for your first year you're not progressing.

DeeAvery

It’s been over 5 years since you did your level 8. It doesn’t matter how many years of the degree you have done or passed as long as you didn’t graduate with the award. So yes you would qualify, but you still have to meet the other means requirements etc.

From the SUSI website:

You must be increasing your NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications) level to be considered eligible for a grant.

You must be attending an approved course –

that leads to a higher level of qualification than any you may already hold,
that is at a higher level than any course you may have previously attended,
in which you are progressing from one year to the next and not repeating a year (save in exceptional circumstances)

However, you may be considered eligible for funding as a “second chance” student where you –

have previously attended but not completed a course,
have had a 5-year break in studies at since leaving that course, and
are returning to attend an approved course at the same level.

Please note that studying at a level below undergraduate level, within the 5-year period, does not affect a student’s eligibility to be considered as a “second chance student”.

Sup08

DeeAvery wrote: »

It’s been over 5 years since you did your level 8. It doesn’t matter how many years of the degree you have done or passed as long as you didn’t graduate with the award. So yes you would qualify, but you still have to meet the other means requirements etc.

Who is your answer directed to?

DeeAvery

Sup08 wrote: »

Who is your answer directed to?

The OP

Sup08

DeeAvery wrote: »

The OP

In your post you have this:

have previously attended but not completed a course,
have had a 5-year break in studies at since leaving that course, and
are returning to attend an approved course at the same level.

But since their first course when they were 17 they attended a level 6 course, this broke the break from one course at the same level to another course at the same level. There can be NO course between.

The 5 year break is in all "studies" and therefore all study between the same level, breaks the eligibility to be a second chance student.

DJDEVAN

Second Chance Student
Published 09/06/2015 03.22 PM | Updated 16/05/2017 10.50 AM
I dropped out of college some years ago, will I be eligible for a grant?
If a student leaves a course without gaining a qualification and subsequently wishes to return to further/ higher education, they may have to complete an equivalent period of study before being eligible for a grant from SUSI.

However, you may be treated as a Second Chance student if the following applies to you -

You are a mature student who previously attended but did not complete a course; and

You have had a full 5-year break in studies; and

You are returning to attend an approved course at PLC, Undergraduate or Postgraduate level.

During the 5-year break, students may study a course below undergraduate level and still be treated as a Second Chance student (where they have previously studied a higher education course).

Applicants wishing to be treated as Second Chance students must meet all other eligibility criteria set out in the Student Grant Scheme. A Second Chance student may not have to complete an equivalent period of study before being eligible for a grant.

The Reader of Dictionaries

You could advocate for lobby for weighted standard basic income across the EU?

Sup08

DJDEVAN wrote: »

Second Chance Student
Published 09/06/2015 03.22 PM | Updated 16/05/2017 10.50 AM
During the 5-year break, students may study a course below undergraduate level and still be treated as a Second Chance student (where they have previously studied a higher education course).

A course that a student "may study" must not lead to a major award on the NFQ which includes all courses that award a major award on the NFQ from level 5 (plc) up to an including the level at which the student had previously studied.

Using the word "may" means a person can study a course that does not qualify as a major award on the NFQ or would ordinarily not qualify for grant assistance.

As the OP did study a course that "may" be major award on the NFQ, "may" exclude them from qualifying as a second chance student.

The use of the word "may" in all of the above means discretion by SUSI, which they there is no discretion awarding grants, or the OP would have to know the level of the course they studied between the fiver years or more and if it was a major award on the NFQ, they will not qualify as a second chance student.