Grant Regulations for Masters Students from 2012/2013 onward

Aoibheann · 26-05-2012 01:16AM #1

Just to note, as it has come up in many threads here, the below are the regulations on grants for Masters students in the upcoming academic year:

Students entering new postgraduate courses from the 2012-13 academic year onwards will not be entitled to any maintenance payment under the Student Grant scheme. However, students on the lowest level of income entering new postgraduate courses from the 2012-13 academic year who qualify for the special rate of grant will be eligible to qualify to have tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit under the Student Grant scheme
A limited number of other low-income students who would previously have qualified under the standard grant thresholds will qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the costs of their fees. However, there will be a new income threshold for this payment which will be lower than the standard grant threshold. The income threshold for this level of grant is currently being determined in the context of the formulation of the student grant scheme for the 2012-13 year.

Source here.

Mr.Plough · 27-05-2012 10:58AM

Hi, I started my masters in february, and will finish just after xmas. As I entered it in the 2011/2012 academic year and finish in the 2012/2013, how would I go about applying? Just apply as normal when it opens this year?

I've already paid the fees myself and never applied last year as I moved house a few times etc

Annasopra · 29-05-2012 08:53AM

Mr.Plough wrote: »

Hi, I started my masters in february, and will finish just after xmas. As I entered it in the 2011/2012 academic year and finish in the 2012/2013, how would I go about applying? Just apply as normal when it opens this year?

I've already paid the fees myself and never applied last year as I moved house a few times etc

I think it might be too late to apply - I'm not really sure

Maybe ring SUSI support at 0761 08 7874

forfcksake · 11-06-2012 10:53PM

was any information released on the financial cut off point for the masters funding?

Annasopra · 11-06-2012 11:20PM

forfcksake wrote: »

was any information released on the financial cut off point for the masters funding?

Read the documents called student grant scheme 2012 and student suppory scheme 2012 at - do a search in them for postgraduate.

http://ym.adnet.ie/mp9519/further-downloads/index.html

12-06-2012 12:44PM

mango salsa wrote: »

forfcksake wrote: »

was any information released on the financial cut off point for the masters funding?

Read the documents called student grant scheme 2012 and student suppory scheme 2012 at - do a search in them for postgraduate.

http://ym.adnet.ie/mp9519/further-downloads/index.html

This may be a silly question but what tution student mean? I have read this document numerous times but I'm still none the wiser on if postgraduate students are entitled to fees paid or what, can anyone shed some light on the situation

CommanderC · 12-06-2012 06:37PM

So you can potentially have your postgrad fees paid ? Subject to income levels ?

or am I misunderstanding this ?

12-06-2012 06:44PM

wrong info

Annasopra · 12-06-2012 08:58PM

1630 wrote: »

Sorry I still don't get this what is the postgraduate fee contribution? And does that apply to tution fees. For instance if I'm living at home with 0-3 dependants with an income level of under 45k, am I entitled to anything?

Now I'm really confused myself. I don't know - better off contacting susi support

CommanderC · 13-06-2012 03:08AM

I've had a read through the website and as far as I can see postgrads are eligible to apply for €2000 towards their fees, if their income is below 31,500. That's the postgrad fee contribution. Thats all, unless you qualify under the special rate conditions.

Postgraduate Fee Contribution

Applicants pursuing postgraduate studies whose reckonable income is below the limit specified for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution in Schedule 1 of the Student Grant Scheme 2012 may be eligible for a €2,000 contribution towards the costs of their fees.

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9552/grant-levels/index.html

Annasopra · 13-06-2012 07:24AM

CommanderC wrote: »

I've had a read through the website and as far as I can see postgrads are eligible to apply for €2000 towards their fees, if their income is below 31,500. That's the postgrad fee contribution. Thats all, unless you qualify under the special rate conditions.

Postgraduate Fee Contribution

Applicants pursuing postgraduate studies whose reckonable income is below the limit specified for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution in Schedule 1 of the Student Grant Scheme 2012 may be eligible for a €2,000 contribution towards the costs of their fees.

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9552/grant-levels/index.html

Where's the paragraph about the special rate that you mention?

13-06-2012 08:19AM

CommanderC wrote: »

I've had a read through the website and as far as I can see postgrads are eligible to apply for €2000 towards their fees, if their income is below 31,500. That's the postgrad fee contribution. Thats all, unless you qualify under the special rate conditions.

Postgraduate Fee Contribution

Applicants pursuing postgraduate studies whose reckonable income is below the limit specified for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution in Schedule 1 of the Student Grant Scheme 2012 may be eligible for a €2,000 contribution towards the costs of their fees.

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9552/grant-levels/index.html

Would that income level apply to what I have earned in the past year or would it depend on where I'm living

CommanderC · 13-06-2012 08:21AM

That was from citizens advice.

I just rang SUSI there, but I'm more confused about the situation.

13-06-2012 09:40AM

CommanderC wrote: »

That was from citizens advice.

I just rang SUSI there, but I'm more confused about the situation.

Yeah nothing is clear at all is it, what the SUSI say? Do you have a number I can call them on?

CommanderC · 13-06-2012 10:06AM

Yeah the number is 0761 08 7874

The guy basically said, just go to schedule 1 and the income limits there, are the ones you need to look at . I told him I was enquiring regarding postgad study, not undergrad study and he said that that fine and again, to look at the income limits to see what is applicable ie 100%, 75% etc.

He also said that there are no maintenance grants.

I guess I still find it confusing because of the inclusion of the postgrad fee contribution. I thought this was replacing all grants that were formerly available to postgrads but is that something you can get on top your fees if your income is below 31,500. (I should have asked that also- I might ring again.

Annasopra · 13-06-2012 10:07AM

CommanderC wrote: »

Yeah the number is 0761 08 7874

The guy basically said, just go to schedule 1 and the income limits there, are the ones you need to look at . I told him I was enquiring regarding postgad study, not undergrad study and he said that that fine and again, to look at the income limits to see what is applicable ie 100%, 75% etc.

He also said that there are no maintenance grants.

I guess I still find it confusing because of the inclusion of the postgrad fee contribution. I thought this was replacing all grants that were formerly available to postgrads but is that something you can get on top your fees if your income is below 31,500. (I should have asked that also- I might ring again.

I'd ring them back. It's not clear at all.

13-06-2012 10:19AM

mango salsa wrote: »

CommanderC wrote: »

Yeah the number is 0761 08 7874

The guy basically said, just go to schedule 1 and the income limits there, are the ones you need to look at . I told him I was enquiring regarding postgad study, not undergrad study and he said that that fine and again, to look at the income limits to see what is applicable ie 100%, 75% etc.

He also said that there are no maintenance grants.

I guess I still find it confusing because of the inclusion of the postgrad fee contribution. I thought this was replacing all grants that were formerly available to postgrads but is that something you can get on top your fees if your income is below 31,500. (I should have asked that also- I might ring again.

I'd ring them back. It's not clear at all.

Yeah that's what seems to be confusing all of us, that postgraduate contribution. I will try ringing them at lunch and get back to yous here

Annasopra · 13-06-2012 11:11AM

1630 wrote: »

Yeah that's what seems to be confusing all of us, that postgraduate contribution. I will try ringing them at lunch and get back to yous here

I think I've finally figured this out

1 if you earn less than 31500 you can get a contribution of 2000 towards fees
2 if you qualify for the special rate (i.e. earning less than 22,703 and receiving a social welfare payment) then you can get a fee grant of upto €6,270 which ties in with what CommanderC said

sarah88 · 13-06-2012 11:14AM

mango salsa wrote: »

I think I've finally figured this out

1 if you earn less than 31500 you can get a contribution of 2000 towards fees
2 if you qualify for the special rate (i.e. earning less than 22,703 and receiving a social welfare payment) then you can get a fee grant of upto €6,270 which ties in with what CommanderC said

I think you are right mango salsa, this is what citizens information also sayes.

spunkbass · 13-06-2012 11:25AM

What if I earn less than 22,703 and I have never applied for social welfare? Then I am not eligible for the 6270?

sarah88 · 13-06-2012 11:33AM

spunkbass wrote: »

What if I earn less than 22,703 and I have never applied for social welfare? Then I am not eligible for the 6270?

Yes thats what I gather, unless you are dependant on your parents, and they are in reciept of social welfare. Then both your's and your parents incomes will be combined. If that total is under 22,703 you are classed under the special rate and can get your fee's paid.

Annasopra · 13-06-2012 11:42AM

spunkbass wrote: »

What if I earn less than 22,703 and I have never applied for social welfare? Then I am not eligible for the 6270?

Yes

(7) It is a condition of receiving a special rate of maintenance grant that an applicant’s reckonable income must include, on the specified date, one of the eligible payments as provided for in Schedule 2 .

Eligible payments for the special rate of maintenance grant for the
2012/13 academic year

As at 31 December 2011, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible payments listed in this Schedule net of—
(a) income disregards (as set out in article 22(4) of this Scheme); and
(b) Child Dependant Increase (C.D.I.), where paid by the Department of Social Protection.

Social Assistance Payments
1. Blind Pension
2. Carer’s Allowance
3. One Parent Family Payment
4. Deserted Wife’s Allowance
5. Disability Allowance
6. Farm Assist
7. Jobseeker’s Allowance (where held for 391 days or more)*
8. State Pension (Non-Contributory)
9. Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory)
10. Pre-retirement allowance
11. Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partners (Non-Contributory) Pension

Social Insurance Payments
12. Carer’s Benefit
13. Deserted Wife’s Benefit
14. Invalidity pension
15. Incapacity Supplement
16. Occupational Injuries Death Benefit (Orphan’s pension)
17. Occupational Injuries Death Benefit (pension for a widow or widower)
18. State Pension (Contributory)
19. Guardian’s Payment (Contributory)
20. Jobseeker’s Benefit (continuous for at least 12 months)*
21. Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partners (Contributory) Pension
22. State Pension (Transition)

Designated Programmes
23. Back to Education Allowance (Second Level and Third Level Options)
24. Back to Work Allowance (Employees)
25. Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
26. Community Employment Scheme
27. Rural Social Scheme
28. Tús Initiative
29. FÁS Training Programmes, including Apprenticeships
30. Part time job incentive scheme
31. Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)

Others
32. Foster Care Allowance where paid in respect of the applicant
33. Family Income Supplement (FIS)
34. In receipt of payments under the FIT (Fastrack to IT) initiative equivalent
to a social welfare payment;
35. Participants on a training course approved by a Government Department,
State Agency or Area Partnership and who were in receipt of an eligible
payment prior to progressing to the programme;
36. Grant aided employees in Community Services Programmes (formerly
social economy enterprises);
37. In receipt of payments under the Senior Traveller Training Centre programmes.

*Combine periods of Jobseeker’s Allowance and Jobseeker’s Benefit and other eligible payments for purposes of meeting 391 days.

The Department of Social Protection Illness Benefit can also be used to combine periods of Jobseeker’s Allowance and Jobseeker’s Benefit provided a period of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit comes directly before and directly after the period of Illness Benefit.

spunkbass · 13-06-2012 11:52AM

Well i have to kiss my postgrad goodbye then....

I earned 4 times less than 22000, but never applied for a social welfare benefit of any kind, i was dependent on my parents last year, who earned less than that amount as well. I just don't understand - according to this logic if I had got paid EXTRA from the social welfare office then I would be eligible, but now that I earned too little money I am not.

spunkbass · 13-06-2012 11:53AM

So the best option is to go on the dole for a year and then I can get the fees paid next year. Great System - gives me a great incentive to make money for this government.

Annasopra · 13-06-2012 12:02PM

spunkbass wrote: »

Well i have to kiss my postgrad goodbye then....

I earned 4 times less than 22000, but never applied for a social welfare benefit of any kind, i was dependent on my parents last year, who earned less than that amount as well. I just don't understand - according to this logic if I had got paid EXTRA from the social welfare office then I would be eligible, but now that I earned too little money I am not.

what about your parents - did they not receive any social welfare payment?

13-06-2012 12:09PM

mango salsa wrote: »

spunkbass wrote: »

Well i have to kiss my postgrad goodbye then....

I earned 4 times less than 22000, but never applied for a social welfare benefit of any kind, i was dependent on my parents last year, who earned less than that amount as well. I just don't understand - according to this logic if I had got paid EXTRA from the social welfare office then I would be eligible, but now that I earned too little money I am not.

what about your parents - did they not receive any social welfare payment?

So if I am working at the moment up until September and am on under 31k, am I elligible for the postgraduate contribution. I will be living at home for the duration of the course and my parents would be on more than 31k. Would it go by my earnings or my parents if im living there?

sarah88 · 13-06-2012 12:13PM

I am still assuming that if you earn under 31500e you can recieve 2000e towards your fee's and do not have to be in reciept of social welfere. I know that still leave's a bill of over 4000e, it's a terrible system which is going to leave a lot of people either unable to progress to a masters, or land themselves with a huge bill at the end.

spunkbass · 13-06-2012 12:22PM

mango salsa wrote: »

what about your parents - did they not receive any social welfare payment?

My mother (single parent) is unfortunately not Irish and does not live in Ireland.

No wonder this country is bankrupt. I will now have to claim 200 euro every week for unemployment to get the country to pay me 6270 for my fees 2013/2014. Great system...

CommanderC · 13-06-2012 12:53PM

1630 wrote: »

So if I am working at the moment up until September and am on under 31k, am I elligible for the postgraduate contribution. I will be living at home for the duration of the course and my parents would be on more than 31k. Would it go by my earnings or my parents if im living there?

They look at income earned from the 1st of Jan to the 31st of December 2011.

Depending on what your circumstances were last year, the income assessedcould be yours and your parents, yours and your spouse/partner or your alone. It depends on what kind of applicant you are:

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9545/step-1-check-what-type-of-applicant-you-are/index.html

CommanderC · 13-06-2012 12:54PM

sarah88 wrote: »

I am still assuming that if you earn under 31500e you can recieve 2000e towards your fee's and do not have to be in reciept of social welfere. I know that still leave's a bill of over 4000e, it's a terrible system which is going to leave a lot of people either unable to progress to a masters, or land themselves with a huge bill at the end.

Yeah, you don't have to be on social welfare. Once your total income is below 31,500 you are eligible for the 2,000 towards your fees.

CommanderC · 13-06-2012 01:09PM

This page is now available on the studentfinance.ie

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9543/postgraduate-students/index.html

Students entering new postgraduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards will not be entitled to any maintenance payment under the Student Grant Scheme 2012.

I think they should have worded this differently. Its not just the maintenance payment that applicants are no longer entitled to, its fees as well............except in circumstances where you meet the special rate or the PFC of €2,000.

They have made it sound like the maintenance part is gone but fees are still a possibility

That's just my opinion though

***Grant Regulations for Masters Students from 2012/2013 onward***

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Grant Regulations for Masters Students from 2012/2013 onward