Waiting for SUSI Grant - Totally Overwhelmed!

ShaShaBear · 19-07-2013 04:18PM #1

So, when I got my results from my repeat year there at the end of June, I went to my local VEC to apply for the grant for third year. Was handed a form about this SUSI thing and told I have to do that now, and I'm very late. Was a bit annoyed (I had heard of an online procedure, but I assumed it was just a way to do it online, not a whole new body) that I hadn't been informed by the VEC about the change, given the immense amount of trouble I had to go through to get forms for them.

So once I got home, I filled out an application online. Pretty straightforward, had it done and sent in a lock of minutes (both myself and my mother are on social welfare, so most of the application was moot

). Couple of days after, I got my email from DkIT to tell me my registration will be either the 21st, 22nd or 23rd of August. I haven't even received a document pack from SUSI yet! I contacted them on Facebook, and they mailed me back to tell me that the waiting times have drastically increased since last year and they cannot guarantee an approval before I am due to register. I then found out via their page that there are people that are STILL waiting for their claim from last year!!

Absolutely panicking now - I can't afford to pay €2500. Don't even have half of that. Already been refused for a student loan because my income is not as reliable as a student grant (not sure how that works since I receive a lot more per month from SW than the average grant applicant does) and I do not have any family members that would have this kind of money. I can't attend classes while waiting for the grant to be approved as I need to pay the fees to be insured to perform my practical labs.

Totally at a loss of what my options are here, this has put a massive dampner on my Summer - I might not get my degree over this!

wesf · 19-07-2013 04:20PM

Don't panic!! Go and register, start college and when the grant comes it comes. You do not need to fork out the dosh on registration day.
You can attend all classes while waiting for a grant, the colleges know the grant situation.
People in my class last year still hadn't got the grant well after xmas and they could sit all exams and had no privileges removed.

ShaShaBear · 19-07-2013 04:23PM

wesf wrote: »

Don't panic!! Go and register, start college and when the grant comes it comes. You do not need to fork out the dosh on registration day.
You can attend all classes while waiting for a grant, the colleges know the grant situation.
People in my class last year still hadn't got the grant well after xmas and they could sit all exams and had no privileges removed.

I cannot attend classes as I need to be insured to work in the labs. Once I miss two labs, it's an automatic fail in CA for that subject (which means I will have to repeat that semester.

College requires you attend the registration with your paid fee slip from the bank, or your letter from SUSI to say you have been approved. If I don't supply either, I cannot attend, and if I register late, I am fined €100.

You see my dilemma

wesf · 19-07-2013 04:27PM

Well then I would speak to the college once you have applied for the grant. No one in my college last year was refused any priviliges due to the fact it was not their problem the grant hadn't arrived.
You can attend registration without either of what you mentioned, I know this as I have done it myself!
My first year I had only applied, had no proof i was going to receive the grant or money to pay the fees. I'm now halfway to getting my degree and this year will be the same re fees

ShaShaBear · 19-07-2013 04:53PM

wesf wrote: »

Well then I would speak to the college once you have applied for the grant. No one in my college last year was refused any priviliges due to the fact it was not their problem the grant hadn't arrived.
You can attend registration without either of what you mentioned, I know this as I have done it myself!
My first year I had only applied, had no proof i was going to receive the grant or money to pay the fees. I'm now halfway to getting my degree and this year will be the same re fees

I tried this in my first year of DkIT and I was removed from the registration room. Ended up having to get a family member to use their credit card to get the money so that I could register. And they can't allow me into the labs to perform experiments if I have no insurance - same reason why any students after getting their repeat results from August are not allowed to attend labs until they register. I don't know if it's just DkIT - but I do know that without the money or a letter I will definitely not be permitted to attend.

wesf · 19-07-2013 05:00PM

Feck DKIT so! AIT are far more understanding. I'd get onto your student union then!

ShaShaBear · 19-07-2013 05:02PM

wesf wrote: »

Feck DKIT so! AIT are far more understanding. I'd get onto your student union then!

Funny I went to AIT originally back in 2006 :P It's a nightmare and I'm at my wits end now, terrified that I'll end up having to leave before I even get finished! I might actually send a wee mail to the SU prez now and see if they can offer any advice!

wesf · 19-07-2013 05:21PM

you should have stayed in athlone

yeh can't do any harm. hopefully they can sort something!

Waiting for SUSI Grant - Totally Overwhelmed!

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