GEM and Government Support

si1234

Hi all,

Wondering if we can get some organised traction going on the movement to allow GEM students apply for SUSI or some sort of Government funding/support?

I recently spoke to my local TDs and seems it has been brought up in the Dail a few times recently and there are a few movements ongoing to get attention on the issue.

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-03-03/625/
https://www.thecollegeview.com/2021/03/27/the-true-cost-of-graduate-entry-medicine/
https://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/60886

I was hoping to start in UL this September but I have been told I will be rejected for the BOI Loan based on my guarantor's income level and after working for a few years to save as much as I could, can't now cover both fees and day-to-day living expenses.

I know I am not the only one in this situation!

Blackboot

What is needed is some sort of loan that can be paid back when we graduate, independent of guarantors. I'm going for graduate veterinary. 80,000 and no hope of a loan for it all.

si1234

The UK have Government loans I believe, does anyone know?

Its next to impossible to get a loan for that amount, and I'm not sure about Veterinary, but the health system is already crying out for more Doctors. Once we graduate we are guaranteed of jobs!

ma003

I'm pretty sure the question has been asked numerous times to Simon Harris and he brushes if off and says that he doesn't decide the fees. I also saw on linkedin that there was a trinity student who got a meeting with Simon Harris recently about it but I don't think that went anywhere either.

It really should be a government loan, like I managed to qualify for it but my repayments are going to be 800 euro a month which is a lot on an intern salary so I know people says its affordable as a doctor but it still delays getting a mortgage etc which is something a lot of GEM's might want to do as they are older. My friend is heading to Liverpool this year to do grad med, she got into derry too but picked Liverpool. It was her only option because of the loan here unfortunately. Like it sucks for the people with massive loans but sucks even more for people who don't even get the chance to get the loan.

arkeda

As a side question, I wonder if you pay the first year or two out of pocket would the bank cover the remaining years? I.e. have more leniency.

I have also been rejected for the GEM loan on the basis of my guarantor (contacted RCSI and UL's campus banks).

ma003

arkeda wrote: »

As a side question, I wonder if you pay the first year or two out of pocket would the bank cover the remaining years? I.e. have more leniency.

I have also been rejected for the GEM loan on the basis of my guarantor (contacted RCSI and UL's campus banks).

A friend of mine was told that could be an option as each year she paid it would mean her guarantor could earn less but they wouldn't tell her for sure. They said she'll just have reapply the following year and hope for the best.

avalon68

ma003 wrote: »

A friend of mine was told that could be an option as each year she paid it would mean her guarantor could earn less but they wouldn't tell her for sure. They said she'll just have reapply the following year and hope for the best.

Yeah Ive heard this a few times, but its a huge risk really. They may still say no and then youve given up your job and paid a huge chunk of money for nothing.

avalon68

si1234 wrote: »

The UK have Government loans I believe, does anyone know?

Its next to impossible to get a loan for that amount, and I'm not sure about Veterinary, but the health system is already crying out for more Doctors. Once we graduate we are guaranteed of jobs!

The UK has the 'student finance england' system. You basically get a loan thats paid back after graduation at FAR LOWER levels than in Ireland. Its a % of your salary and is deducted at source - meaning if for any reason you cant work (eg illness), you stop payments until working again. In Ireland I understand the payments are very high. Its a far fairer system than in Ireland where you basically need rich parents. Ireland was so disparate for doctors last year they were having people fly back from Oz - yet so many are turned away for financial reasons. Its ridiculous. Im studying in the UK now as I couldnt afford to study in Ireland despite having high enough gamsat marks to study in any university in Ireland.

si1234

arkeda wrote: »

As a side question, I wonder if you pay the first year or two out of pocket would the bank cover the remaining years? I.e. have more leniency.

I have also been rejected for the GEM loan on the basis of my guarantor (contacted RCSI and UL's campus banks).

Yes the banks said it may be possible your guarantors have enough income to cover the last 2 years fees.

I reached out to local TDs and Senators and Bank of Ireland have agreed to look again at my application so fingers crossed! I don't know how realistic this is but at least its something.

arkeda

si1234 wrote: »

Yes the banks said it may be possible your guarantors have enough income to cover the last 2 years fees.

I reached out to local TDs and Senators and Bank of Ireland have agreed to look again at my application so fingers crossed! I don't know how realistic this is but at least its something.

Could you expand a bit more on that? Did the local TDs collectively petition the bank to review your loan application?

I'm going to go ahead and pay for the two years out of pocket. I am worried about the final two years as my only potential for a familial guarantor are my pensioner grandparents. In that instance I may also reach out to my local TDs.

I hope all works out for you.

JK95

I am presuming if you do not require a full 15000 loan each year that you may have a better chance of securing a loan? For example, for first year I am planning on just taking a loan of 5000 out? I would also be putting down my father and brother as Guarantors.