Susi wont pay college fees. :-/

DerekBlanch

Hey guys, wondering if you could give me any advice. My girlfriend was accepted into ITB last year but she had to defer because SUSI wouldn't pay her fees as she was just over the threshold because of her parents.

She works 14 hours a week on minimum wage in retail. Her parents do not have 3000 to pay for her fees. She's 26 so she gets no support from her parents etc. She said all this last year when she appealed their decision to deny her. She just doesn't make enough to save up the three grand.

Has she any other options? It sucks she's working since she finished her leaving cert and just wants to get her degree so she can have a proper career but what is she to do.

Any advice?
Thanks in advance.

Ask for more hours or look for a full time job. Then save hard.

nothing

At 26 she should be a mature student and her parents means shouldn't matter, I would have thought. Is this her first course?

DerekBlanch

nothing wrote: »

At 26 she should be a mature student and her parents means shouldn't matter, I would have thought. Is this her first course?

First course and apparently they do unfortunately.

DeeAvery

Its not fair as education is a right not a privilege imo but if she applied to susi as a mature dependent and her parents are over the threshold there is nothing she can do with susi for now. All she can do is what others have suggested is save up and move out and consider if she can apply for any social welfare or btea etc. schemes. Otherwise part-time education is also a option but that can have higher fees then full time but then you can work along side.

Gus Ivey

Did she apply as an Independent or Dependent Mature student?

If you apply as an Independent your parents means don't come into consideration. But you need to have moved out and prove that you don't live at home.

Zooouma

Colleges usually have their own financial supports for students has she tried this?
Also Bank of Ireland usually offer a low interest rate loan for students.