Going back to College? Check here for Mature/Disabled/Access/Grant & Fees information

abceire · 03-12-2013 2:52pm

Cheers paper, I think it's just for a few days a week over xmas, the extra cash will be very handy, my clothes are getting a bit thread bare. Cool !

bri007 · 03-12-2013 5:11pm

Just quick question paperclip. Can a mature student get the dole in the summer if they aren't in receipt of the back to education? Does this matter do you know

paperclip2 wrote: »

Yes, you can get it for the summer period if you qualify

paperclip2 · 03-12-2013 5:25pm

bri007 wrote: »

Just quick question paperclip. Can a mature student get the dole in the summer if they aren't in receipt of the back to education? Does this matter do you know

This is what the DSP say re students and Jobseekers on their website:

Students
....
Third-level students cannot claim Jobseeker's Allowance or Benefit while they are studying full-time. This disqualification also applies to the summer holiday periods between academic years (unless you are a mature student). However once you have finished college permanently you can claim a jobseeker's payment if you cannot find work. This is also the case if you leave college without finishing your course.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/1057_Jobseekers-Allowance.aspx

So if you are a mature applicant you might be able to claim. You should certainly apply anyway.

abceire · 17-12-2013 1:47pm

Christmas work? I'm getting btea, I've got 7 days Christmas work, weekends, do I just do the usual, give the job my last p45, bring tax credit cert?
The tax cert was issues during the summer when I found 2.5 months work at landscaping. So will I need a new tax cert now I on BTEA?
Do I need to let BTEA people know I'm working or anything like that?

abceire · 17-12-2013 1:48pm

General advice sought on the above.

grasshopper1 · 17-12-2013 5:39pm

That's a really hard one to answer. If it's cash in hand mmm. If you're helping out a friend or family, and they throw a few bob your way mmm. On the dole official page: they guarantee to renew your dole immediately once your p/t work has finished. If you give the 7-day job your p45, then you must inform the dole.

grasshopper

abceire · 17-12-2013 7:35pm

But I'm not on the dole I'm on BTEA . As far as I know you can work and get the BTEA once you are still time student. I am still on my full time course. Just wondered do I need to let anyone know or anything?

grasshopper1 · 17-12-2013 7:47pm

I understand, you're on BTEA. --For me it's inter-changeable because, in Summer it's the Dole, but once we're back in college it's BTEA. As I say it's a hard one. It might be best to ring up your local Social Welfare office and check with them -- you don't have to give your name. It's better to be safe than sorry.

grasshopper1

grasshopper1 · 18-12-2013 12:27pm

Found this from the Dept. of Social Protection: "If you are unemployed, parenting alone or have a disability and are getting certain payments from the Department of Social Protection, you may attend a second-or third-level education course and get the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). You can work part-time without affecting your BTEA payment".

grasshopper

paperclip2 · 18-12-2013 3:20pm

However in the summer you will be on Jobseekers, possibly so the regulations concerning Jobseekers will more than likely apply.

grasshopper1 · 18-12-2013 3:47pm

Of course. According to the S.W. homepage, it's only when you are on BETA can you also work

grasshopper

abceire · 26-12-2013 9:23pm

Thank you, I've not done anything bar do the job and give all the details to the company they asked for. I've not said anything to the BTEA.

choufleur · 20-01-2014 7:06pm

HI Guys

I want to go back to college this september, currently working part-time getting the xs and os. Dropped out in 07 and want to do a different course this time.

So want to know if I'd get the bted, free fees or suis for the year. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Or anyone could point me in the right direction to get all my questions answered.

Maldesu · 20-01-2014 7:28pm

You'd have to be on the dole for 9 months for the BTEA (Think its 234 days) - assuming you don't have a degree already. You could be entitled to second chance 'free fees' as you have been out of education for 5+ years and don't have a degree. You'd still have to pay the Student Contribution Charge but you can apply to SUSI for that, but I'm not sure of their current rules on incomes.

grasshopper1 · 20-01-2014 10:32pm

Hiya, I would check very carefully if you are eligible for "free fees". It would depend on many points, what year you dropped out, if you arranged with the uni on when you would return, etc., I would check with the uni you want to go to. But do your research first.

grasshopper

sparkthatbled · 29-01-2014 9:48am

I'm putting my documents together this evening to post tomorrow to
CAO. Anyone know if i need some kind of cover letter or anything in there?

paperclip2 · 29-01-2014 10:49am

sparkthatbled wrote: »

I'm putting my documents together this evening to post tomorrow to
CAO. Anyone know if i need some kind of cover letter or anything in there?

No, not really as long as you have your name and CAO number on everything that's enough. If you are a mature applicant have you included a personal statement, (assuming you need one for the courses you've chosen)?

sparkthatbled · 29-01-2014 12:33pm

paperclip2 wrote: »

No, not really as long as you have your name and CAO number on everything that's enough. If you are a mature applicant have you included a personal statement, (assuming you need one for the courses you've chosen)?

Yeah I have 4 different personal statements going in. I have a header on each saying what it's for.

paperclip2 · 29-01-2014 1:23pm

sparkthatbled wrote: »

Yeah I have 4 different personal statements going in. I have a header on each saying what it's for.

Errr...it says in the current handbook on page 14 in large type that you provide a single, overall personal statement.

What could happen with your 4 is that all of them will be sent to each college you've applied for.

grasshopper1 · 29-01-2014 1:51pm

sparkthatbled wrote: »

I'm putting my documents together this evening to post tomorrow to
CAO. Anyone know if i need some kind of cover letter or anything in there?

Whatever you do, Make Sure that you have copies of ALL originals. I have heard horror stories about documents.

Yes, write a cover letter detailing exactly what documents you are sending to them, and make a copy of that letter. Get the post office to give you a date of postage or something like that. KEEP copies
grasshopper1

Bouncy11 · 30-01-2014 1:46am

Hello jus hav a few questions about cao entry. I qualify for mature student also qualify for disablity route and am currently doing a fetac course. So I've seen that having all three can help individually for some people but just interested to know which I would fall under ? As this whole thing is abit over my head.
Thanks

grasshopper1 · 30-01-2014 8:10am

First check with the school/college you want to attend. Check online for citizeninformation, they have all the information and talk with with Social Welfare. Remember travel takes up a lot of your allowance.

Just take your time and over the next few months and get all the information you need. Then when the time comes to apply to SUSI you'll have everything ready to start your new journey

grasshopper1

paperclip2 · 30-01-2014 3:20pm

Bouncy11 wrote: »

Hello jus hav a few questions about cao entry. I qualify for mature student also qualify for disablity route and am currently doing a fetac course. So I've seen that having all three can help individually for some people but just interested to know which I would fall under ? As this whole thing is abit over my head.
Thanks

The DARE route is only for students under 23 who are applying on the basis of a Leaving Cert so if you have MS status that's not an option for you.

You can apply both as a Mature applicant and on the basis of FETAC. Its done automatically as long as you complete the relevant portions of the application form.

Bouncy11 · 30-01-2014 5:01pm

paperclip2 wrote: »

The DARE route is only for students under 23 who are applying on the basis of a Leaving Cert so if you have MS status that's not an option for you.

Ahh crap skipped over that part & have submitted forms for it in all!
Thanks for reply

CBDexia · 30-01-2014 6:45pm

Hey guys I was hoping someone could give me some advice.
I went to uni back in 2007 and dropped out in 2009 without a degree. I received a student grant those two years and when I dropped out I didn't notify the university I just never returned.
This year or next I am hoping to go to college as a mature student starting over in year one so I know I am not entitled to a student grant the first two years but what I am wondering is if I'm entitled to any help. I am working at the moment so I won't be entitled to btea and you can't draw job seekers for the academic year.
If I can't get a weekend job is their any other aid I can claim for or am I on my own?
Does any one know about the fee grant?

paperclip2 · 31-01-2014 10:50am

CBDexia wrote: »

Hey guys I was hoping someone could give me some advice.
I went to uni back in 2007 and dropped out in 2009 without a degree. I received a student grant those two years and when I dropped out I didn't notify the university I just never returned.
This year or next I am hoping to go to college as a mature student starting over in year one so I know I am not entitled to a student grant the first two years but what I am wondering is if I'm entitled to any help. I am working at the moment so I won't be entitled to btea and you can't draw job seekers for the academic year.
If I can't get a weekend job is their any other aid I can claim for or am I on my own?
Does any one know about the fee grant?

If its 5 full years since you left college and as long as you didn't get a qualification at any level while there your free fee and grant eligibility may be re-instated under the 2nd chance rule for mature students.
You would need to check with your original college as to the exact date they took you off their books and get a letter from them to that effect. This is the start date for the 5 year period.

Apart from BTEA and the maintenance grant there is no other state support for fulltime education.

To get the registration fee grant from SUSI you would still need to be at least 5 years out of education.

FatherFrost · 31-01-2014 4:30pm

Just realised I have to reapply to the CAO by tomorrow, for a deferred mature student spot in a NUI Maynooth course. Can I just blaze through it and just put in info like name address etc, and stick in that I'm just reapplying for deferred spot and pay the €40?

Or do I have to fill out everything again about qualifications, work and so on, also I don't have to mail in old leaving certs and the likes do I, seeing as I got accepted last year for going through that process for the mature spot?

Thanks

paperclip2 · 31-01-2014 5:09pm

FatherFrost wrote: »

Just realised I have to reapply to the CAO by tomorrow, for a deferred mature student spot in a NUI Maynooth course. Can I just blaze through it and just put in info like name address etc, and stick in that I'm just reapplying for deferred spot and pay the €40?

Or do I have to fill out everything again about qualifications, work and so on, also I don't have to mail in old leaving certs and the likes do I, seeing as I got accepted last year for going through that process for the mature spot?

Thanks

Page 5 of the CAO book says you have to send in all the documentation again which seems a bit mad to me. I'd give Maynooth a quick ring to see if you really have to go to the rounds of sending copies of certs and personal statements again.
If you do have to submit these you still have seven days from submitting your CAO application to get this stuff in.

CAO Handbook page 5:

Deferral Procedure: (B) Taking up a deferral:

In order to take up a deferred place, you must :
Re-apply through CAO in the succeeding year and pay the appropriate application fee;

Place the deferred course as your only preference on the application form;

Indicate your deferral by ticking the deferred place indicator box on your application.

It is important to read the letter granting you the deferred place for further instructions.

You will breach the conditions of your deferred place if you enter more than the single deferred course code on your application. In that event, you will forfeit the guaranteed place and enter the competition for places in the normal way.

When reapplying in the succeeding year, you must complete an application FULLY. In other words, you must include again any documentation, etc., which you provided with the original application.

steve7448 · 18-02-2014 4:19pm

Hey there sorry this is troubling me if anyone can help.
Hoping to go back to college in september coming 2014 to maynooth doing accounting,
I am 30yrs old
I have enough cao points to get my course but missed out on mature student deadline 1/02/14
Have been claiming jobs seekers since september 19 2013.
Have 1 child and live with my partner she is a primary teacher and were renting a house

Have looked on welfare, all forums, rang social office, rang cao, rang susi, and keep going around in circles no one can give me an answer. Hope you's can help....

- Can i still apply as a mature student since feburary deadline is now over or would i be better of going through cao route.
- Am i entitled to Back to education allowance (BTEA) when college starts in september.
- Would it be more benefical for me to apply for local council grants instead of BTEA
- If i go through cao route can i still claim the Back to education allowance.
- If im eligible for BTEA do i still have to pay fees

Thank you all for your responces in advance

Mr.Saturn · 18-02-2014 9:06pm

Not able to answer all questions, but you can opt for mature and LC points route once you tick the relevant boxes on the CAO form; if you don't get in on mature entry, then you're in the running on points and vice-versa.

As for the BTEA requirement you'd have to have been on JSA for roughly nine-months prior to applying for it, so it doesn't seem like a goer. There is a maintenance grant available via SUSI, though these specifics of it are beyond me.

If you've never attended 3rd level before, or dropped out, it's free-fees and SUSI will pay the student contribution charge once you qualify. BTEA and fees are independent of one another, though getting the former will rule you out of getting the maintenance grant.

paperclip2 · 19-02-2014 4:32pm

Hi Steve

steve7448 wrote: »

- Can i still apply as a mature student since feburary deadline is now over or would i be better of going through cao route.

There's late application through CAO from 5th March until the 1st of May.
Maynooth have only closed mature student application to 4 courses. They will still accept Mature student application to both accounting degrees:

Business & Accounting code MH407
Accounting & Finance code MH403.

You can still apply for these courses as a mature student. This involves applying to NUI Maynooth on their application form for matures and also applying through CAO.

steve7448 wrote: »

- Am i entitled to Back to education allowance (BTEA) when college starts in september.

If you have;

234 signing days, (not counting Sundays) built up on Jobseekers immediately before the course starts
and as long as you are receiving a social welfare payment immediately prior to starting the course, i.e if your course starts on 1st of Sept you need to be getting a payment from DSP up to and including that date.
and if you are aged over 21
and have not studied a course at this level before

you would be very likely to get BTEA. The rate of BTEA you get is usually the same amount as you were receiving on your social welfare payment so if you were getting €100 Jobseekers then you would get €100 BTEA.

steve7448 wrote: »

- Would it be more benefical for me to apply for local council grants instead of BTEA

The county council no longer provide grants. SUSI is now the sole provider for all new applicants.

The rates of maintenance grant from SUSI depend on how far you live from the college and the income into the family home in the last tax year. The rates range from a minimum of €315 in the academic year to an absolute maximum of €5915.
To get the maximum amount you need to living at least 45 kilometers from the college, have a total, combined (you and your partners) income in 2013 (including salary and social welfare), of not more than €22,703. You also need to have been in receipt of a social welfare payment for at least 150 days in that period.

You need to see if you are eligible for BTEA and if so, what amount. Then you need to see what rate of grant would apply in your case. See the attached sheet for rates, etc. Then its a matter of seeing which payment will give you more money.

Please note that if you decide to go for the grant and not BTEA you may lose any rent allowance you have. Also you may be reassessed after 3 years for the medical card.

steve7448 wrote: »

- If i go through cao route can i still claim the Back to education allowance.

CAO and BTEA have nothing to do with each other as CAO is not part of the education funding mechanism.

The two main forms of support in education are

The grant system, operated by SUSI can provide some or all of the following
- Registration fees which will be €2750 in September 2014.
- Maintenance grant to students who meet the relevant eligibility criteria of Residency, Nationality and Income and who are not in receipt of BTEA from DSP.
- Field and study trip support if trips are an integral part of the course
- Tuition fees where these are not provided from any other source.
BTEA from the Dept of Social Protection
- Provides a weekly payment to students in fulltime education equivalent to their existing rate of social welfare (except in the case of anyone aged under 26 where their payments may be increased)

Please note that if you get BTEA you will NOT be eligible for the Maintenance portion of the SUSI grant although you may still receive the registration fee, field trip support and, if applicable, tuition fees.

steve7448 wrote: »

- If im eligible for BTEA do i still have to pay fees

If you have never been to college before you should have an entitlement to free fees under the Free Fee Initiative subject to having lived in Ireland or the EU for 3 out of the last 5 years, having Irish or EU nationality and not having an existing qualification at the same or lower level as the course you are now applying for. Free fees are provided automatically through the college for eligible students. You don't have to apply for these.

Hope this helps a bit.

steve7448 · 19-02-2014 10:30pm

paperclip and mr saturn thank you for your advice and information. Has helped alot.
i found your advice both very benefical and has helped clear my mind

abceire · 22-02-2014 6:31pm

Does time on BTEA count as time worked on the dole to re apply for BTEA next year? I'm doing an access course and get BTEA now until I think it's the end of May. Just wonder would I need to be on dole for 3 months before re applying for a BTEA for a degree course?

paperclip2 · 26-02-2014 10:06pm

abceire wrote: »

Does time on BTEA count as time worked on the dole to re apply for BTEA next year? I'm doing an access course and get BTEA now until I think it's the end of May. Just wonder would I need to be on dole for 3 months before re applying for a BTEA for a degree course?

It can count towards the 3 months but you need to be on jobseekers immediately before the new course starts as far as i know. This is what determines your rate of BTEA.

abceire · 26-02-2014 10:19pm

Yeah I get that bit, what ever jobseekers you are on is what you get on the BTEA.

Birdster · 28-02-2014 11:34am

abceire wrote: »

Does time on BTEA count as time worked on the dole to re apply for BTEA next year? I'm doing an access course and get BTEA now until I think it's the end of May. Just wonder would I need to be on dole for 3 months before re applying for a BTEA for a degree course?

That's what confuses me too, if you can only get BTEA until May when you finish the access course and your actual 4year degree starts the following September you've a huge gap there of no payment, not being on JA which from my interpretation reading online means you won't be entitled to BTEA again because you haven't been on it for a full 9months............anyone else been in this situation before? I'm considering doing the Mature Student access cert in UL which is one year pre-degree but if I can't get BTEA for the actual degree, there isn't a hope in hell I could afford to go back..........some of us don't have Mammy & Daddy or a partner to support us financially

abceire · 28-02-2014 12:39pm

surely if you got btea you'll be able to get ja then in the summer? my issue is more could i try get work for summer then get ja then get btea?

Birdster · 01-03-2014 12:13pm

abceire wrote: »

surely if you got btea you'll be able to get ja then in the summer? my issue is more could i try get work for summer then get ja then get btea?

Oh right, yeah better get down to your local office and check that one out. Has to be continuous benfefit payment doesn't it, with no breaks? Though I have seen posters in my local office saying they would pause your payment if you got short term work, so that might not effect your claim time?

paperclip2 · 03-03-2014 10:42am

The can add periods of claim time together if there's no breaks of over a year as far as I know but double check that with DSP.

what-can-ya-do · 03-04-2014 8:01pm

Hi Guys

Sorry if this question has been asked a million times before but my head is absolutely fried trying to figure it out!

I'm (hopefully) going back to college this September to do primary teaching in Mary I.

My problem is that I have already done a level 8 undergrad in NUIG (arts!!!! biggest regret of my life!!!!) I graduated from this in 2010 so now i'm wondering what my entitlements are for going back to education...if any!!

Am I eligible for SUSI/ student assistant funding etc?? I am working full time at the moment and living at home so saving as much as I can but the costs involved in going back (if i'm entitled to nothing) are unreal! Along with fees i'll be moving down to Limerick so rent/travel/day to day expenses are all going to add up. I will be keeping my job on part-time with abit of luck!

Any help, answers, advice are all welcome!!!! Thanks in advance

paperclip2 · 04-04-2014 10:12am

what-can-ya-do wrote: »

Hi Guys

Sorry if this question has been asked a million times before but my head is absolutely fried trying to figure.... Thanks in advance

Hi, From what you said above I don't think you would be eligible for funding for a 2nd level 8 undergraduate qualification. If you have this level of qualification already then you don't meet the criteria for Fee support under the Free Fee Initiative or the Tuition Fee aspect of the SUSI grant. Also SUSI wont provide Maintenance or Registration fees for a second qualification at the same level. You can check info with SUSI here: http://www.boards.ie/ttforum/1610

However if you were to do the Graduate Diploma in Primary Education you might be eligible for some tuition fee support for post grad fees. This is a shorter course for people who have an existing level 8 degree and meet certain Leaving Cert requirements in Maths, Irish and English. Details here: http://www.mic.ul.ie/postgradstudies/prospectivestudents/Documents/graddip/2014/Entry%20Requirements%20%20-%20Post%20Grad%202014%20English%20Version%20doc.pdf

The downside of this course is that it may not run every year and applications usually close in December. The course starts usually in February and runs for about 18 months.

abceire · 04-04-2014 2:56pm

I'm doing an access course this year, my last exam is mid May and I'd like to try get a job for the summer. I'm getting BTEA right now and hope to next year too when I start a degree in Trinity. The college is giving us a letter to explain the situation to the Social Walfare, more or less we've a place in Trinity next year unless we totally fail our exams, but I won't know for sure until end of May, and official offers don't come in until the end of July.
My question is, can I work and then get back on dole to apply for btea in time for college re starting? I've heard there are rule changes now, so you've to be on dole for 8 weeks prior to applying for BTEA, anyone know if this is the case? Just if it was the case it would leave very little time to work.

bloodstormaoa · 06-05-2014 5:24am

Hi,

I've been travelling for the last 5 months in Asia but before that I was long term unemployed. I'm hoping to return at the end of the month and begin a Lv. 8 at UL in September. Obviously I signed off my jobseekers before I left but will likely have to re-apply when I return, at least while looking for jobs.

My question is whether or not I will meet requirements of the qualifying period for the BTEA? I have been claiming for JB, JA, Casual Work Scheme and BTEA since late 2009... will that be taken into account?

Thank in advance for any help /advice!

paperclip2 · 06-05-2014 9:46am

abceire wrote: »

I'm doing an access course this year...time to work.

Hi Abceire
Found this in BTEA operation guidelines. It might cover your circumstances but I'd give BTEA in Carrick on Shannon a ring to be sure:

BTEA participants who are progressing to the next year of their course or who are progressing from second level to third level approved undergraduate qualifications or from undergraduate qualification to BTEA eligible postgraduate courses will have their BTEA reinstated from the commencement of the new academic year irrespective of whether they were in receipt of an unemployment payment for the summer period. All participants must supply written confirmation from school/college/institute that they have registered as a full-time day student for the new academic year. Participants are also required to notify the Department of cessation of participation on a course.

BTEA HQ:

Tel:(071) 967 2616
Locall:1890 927 999

paperclip2 · 06-05-2014 9:50am

bloodstormaoa wrote: »

Hi,

I've been travelling for the ....any help /advice!

Hi Bloodstormaoa

Found this in the BTEA operational Guidelines onhttp://www.welfare.ie

1.11 Linking Periods

Periods spent on BTEA qualifying Social Welfare Payments or on Jobseekers/Illness Benefit credits, that are not broken by more than 12 months (52 weeks), can be used in determining if an applicant satisfies the qualifying period criteria.

You would need to have a DSP payment immediately prior to applying for BTEA for Sept.

But maybe check with BTEA HQ to be sure:

Tel:(071) 967 2616
Locall:1890 927 999

abceire · 06-05-2014 9:59am

I'm on BTEA for another 2 weeks, then college and exams are up. Just wondered do I need to go to social welfare and sign on or does this happen automatically. I was on Dole before the course started, it's a one year. Plan is get a job for summer.

paperclip2 · 06-05-2014 11:45am

abceire wrote: »

I'm on BTEA for another 2 weeks, then college and exams are up. Just wondered do I need to go to social welfare and sign on or does this happen automatically. I was on Dole before the course started, it's a one year. Plan is get a job for summer.

No it doesn't happen automatically at all. You have to go through the application process for JSA, have your application assessed and a decision made. You would need to clarify the effect of this on BTEA for Sept. If DSP have confirmed that there is unambiguous progression under the guidelines from Access to undergrad in your case then you are fine for Sept but I'd make sure you have that confirmation before working/ giving up JSA.

bloodstormaoa · 07-05-2014 4:44am

paperclip2 wrote: »

Hi Bloodstormaoa

You would need to have a DSP payment immediately prior to applying for BTEA for Sept.

But maybe check with BTEA HQ to be sure:

Thank you Paperclip2! I'll give them a call to make sure!

Bookworm85 · 12-05-2014 7:34pm

Hi all,

I started filling out my application with SUSI this evening. I'm applying as a dependent mature student (I moved home 2 years ago after losing my job and a relationship breakdown).

I'm looking for some help filling out my application and I'm a bit confused. I know earnings are assessed for last year, so I'm wondering if the Personal Details section should reflect my personal details as they were in 2013 too?

The reason I ask is my father passed away early this year (January), so I'm confused as to whether I should include him in the personal information section? When I filled out that section initially I was able to select the N/A option for him in the "Personal Details (Others)" section, but when I advanced through the application to the part where I have to provide details of income, I have no option to include anything that my father earned in 2013 (He worked up until the day before he passed away). So I went back, edited the drop down box to include him as a parent/legal guardian,but it asks for current details, such as current marital status, employment status etc,and there is no option to say that he is deceased.

Obviously I'll get onto SUSI about this in the morning, but I was just wondering if anybody can shed some light on this.

Thanks in advance!

abceire · 12-05-2014 10:07pm

Anyone know, if I'm on BTEA will some college have a scheme or discount for accommodation on campus? Like say Trinity having there internal version of rent allowance?

Going back to College? Check here for Mature/Disabled/Access/Grant & Fees information

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