student flat rate contribution charge 2k who does this affect?

bindi · 24-11-2010 04:33PM #1

Just Wondering does this new student flat rate contribution charge effect all. Or does people on the grant not have to pay this? As always the government dont make themselves clear..... What do yous think?

Bindi

Celtise · 24-11-2010 05:56PM

I felt they left it very unclear alright. Not sure what they mean. There was something about grants and cuts in the same sentence but I wasn't sure what the hell.

Tree · 24-11-2010 08:07PM

i would presume that the fee applies to all undergrad students. those who are entitled to the grant will not have to pay the fee.

however there have been cuts to the grant mentioned, so no doubt they'll reduce the threshholds and/or the amount of maintenance grant they give in the future.

the colleges have also had their funding cut to reflect the additonal 400€ they should be getting. so noone's winning from this one.

juanace · 25-11-2010 12:38AM

I have to pay fees for the course i'm doing, over €5000. Plus the €1500 registration fee. Basically its a double wammy and is really unfair. I'm very lucky to have supportive parents/girlfriend to help me do this.

Since they've changed the name to 'Student Contribution' does anyone know if someone paying fees will have to 'contribute' as well, even though their paying the darn fees!? Considering its not registration anymore i'm gonna fight this.

Annasopra · 25-11-2010 07:40AM

the details are not yet clear - I think the best thing to do is wait another week or two and they will become clearer in the budget

ninty9er · 27-11-2010 04:40PM

Given the expected saving this year and the expected saving in a full year set out in the plan, I'm dubious as to whether the Higher Education Grant will cover this, but I'll be keeping a close eye on it.

Pigwidgeon · 27-11-2010 08:47PM

ninty9er wrote: »

Given the expected saving this year and the expected saving in a full year set out in the plan, I'm dubious as to whether the Higher Education Grant will cover this, but I'll be keeping a close eye on it.

That's what I was thinking too. If it doesn't I'm pretty much fúcked, it'll be somehow try to get a loan or drop out.

juanace · 07-12-2010 06:19PM

I have to pay fees for the course i'm doing, over €5000. Plus the €1500 registration fee. Basically its a double wammy and is really unfair. I'm very lucky to have supportive parents/girlfriend to help me do this.

Since they've changed the name to 'Student Contribution' does anyone know if someone paying fees will have to 'contribute' as well, even though their paying the darn fees!? Considering its not registration anymore i'm gonna fight this.

Anyone know the answer to this, or who to ask, based on the budget today?

TheReverend · 07-12-2010 08:12PM

Further savings of €27 million will be achieved by replacing the existing €1,500 per
year Student Services Charge with a flat higher education Student Contribution of
€2,000 with effect from the 2011/2012 academic year. The Student Contribution will
apply to all students who currently benefit under the ‘free fees’ scheme. Higher
education institutions will be asked to consider how they could put in place
arrangements under which a student may opt to pay the charge in two equal
instalments of 50% in September and 50% in January in a given academic year. The
contribution will be paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under
the third level grant schemes. These students, who account for some 43% of all
undergraduates, will not be impacted by any increase in charges. The Government is
also aware of the particular financial pressures that this charge may place on families
where family income is marginally in excess of current eligibility levels for
maintenance grant support and on families with more than one sibling in higher
education at the same time. With this in mind, the current higher education grants
schemes threshold will be increased to provide for an additional eligibility category of
support qualifying for ‘50% Student Contribution’ (see detail in Appendix). In
addition, arrangements will be made to provide that second and subsequent siblings
from a single family will not have to bear the full increased cost of the new €2,000
charge.

juanace · 07-12-2010 09:26PM

urther savings of €27 million will be achieved by replacing the existing €1,500 per
year Student Services Charge with a flat higher education Student Contribution of
€2,000 with effect from the 2011/2012 academic year. The Student Contribution will
apply to all students who currently benefit under the ‘free fees’ scheme. Higher
education institutions will be asked to consider how they could put in place
arrangements under which a student may opt to pay the charge in two equal
instalments of 50% in September and 50% in January in a given academic year. The
contribution will be paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under
the third level grant schemes. These students, who account for some 43% of all
undergraduates, will not be impacted by any increase in charges. The Government is
also aware of the particular financial pressures that this charge may place on families
where family income is marginally in excess of current eligibility levels for
maintenance grant support and on families with more than one sibling in higher
education at the same time. With this in mind, the current higher education grants
schemes threshold will be increased to provide for an additional eligibility category of
support qualifying for ‘50% Student Contribution’ (see detail in Appendix). In
addition, arrangements will be made to provide that second and subsequent siblings
from a single family will not have to bear the full increased cost of the new €2,000
charge.

As i don't qualify for free fees - does this line mean i don't have to pay this 'contribution'?

Annasopra · 07-12-2010 10:58PM

juanace wrote: »

As i don't qualify for free fees - does this line mean i don't have to pay this 'contribution'?

very doubtful - my guess is that you will have to pay tuition fees plus student contribution

ninty9er · 08-12-2010 12:49AM

I am of the impression that those paying full tuition are exempt from SSC, the wording backs this up.

(i.e. If you pay fees,you don't pay the contribution)

juanace · 08-12-2010 02:07PM

hope your right ninty9er!

Anyone know where i'd get a definitive answer?

student flat rate contribution charge 2k who does this affect?

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