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

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Comments

  • #502
    noisenotmusic
    Registered Users Posts: 409 ✭✭noisenotmusic


    I'm about to finish up on VTOS in a few weeks and will be transferring over to BTEA (hopefully) for next year but I need to sign on for the summer. Does anyone know if I can do this through the JSA online process or do I have to go into the SW office as it's not a regular application? I was on JSA for 2 years before I went onto VTOS.


  • #503
    abceire
    Closed Accounts Posts: 734 ✭✭✭abceire


    CAn you use last years susi application to some way fill it in this year, like do you need to re register or can you just log in again?


  • #504
    kate357
    Registered Users Posts: 40 ✭kate357


    this has probably been asked a few times before, I am on disability allowance for 5 years now, I live with my daughter in our council house, I am going to college next week, I have applied for vtos and susi, am i entitled to both?


  • #505
    paperclip2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,280 ✭✭✭paperclip2


    kate357 wrote: »
    this has probably been asked a few times before, I am on disability allowance for 5 years now, I live with my daughter in our council house, I am going to college next week, I have applied for vtos and susi, am i entitled to both?

    If you keep your DA you can apply for SUSI but if you go onto VTOS you cant. However if you are getting childcare support through the CETS scheme you can only get that while on VTOS. Also if you keep the DA and get the SUSI grant you might lose any rent allowance or rent supplement. Your medical card could also be reviewed.

    It might be worthwhile going to Citizens Information to see exactly what money you would be on if you keep DA and get the grant versus what you will get on VTOS.


  • #506
    osarusan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,692 ✭✭✭✭osarusan


    Hi, I am hoping that I can find an answer to my query here. I am an Irish citizen, born in Ireland, educated in Ireland up to and including masters degree level.

    I have lived outside Ireland and the EU for the last 3 1/2 years, and it will be four years when my contract is up here in Tokyo.

    I would love to return to Ireland to do a PhD, but I am wondering if I will be eligible for European fees or if I will have to pay international student fees.


    I had a look at a university website, but it wasn't clear to me if there was a residency criterion and a nationality and previous study criterion, or if it was a residency criterion or nationality and previous study criterion.


  • #507
    W86indow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 159 ✭✭W86indow


    hey I just want to say thanks to all the people who helped me on this thread

    i started my degree in 2010 and i finished this year with a 1:1
    i was 24 when i went back

    worked my ass off in 2nd and 3rd year college 5 days a week and working friday sat sunday
    somehow i made it work - fecking delighted now

    my advice to the new mature students -
    1. don't worry too much
    2. be organised - forms etc enquire enquire enquire!!!
    3. Do it for yourself - forget everyone and everything else and throw yourself into college work - it will be worth it :)


  • #508
    W86indow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 159 ✭✭W86indow


    Hello , I am really sorry for your loss

    I think that you should be entitled to the grant - as you are over 25 I am guessing by your nickname there

    so you should be classed as an independent mature applicant even though you are living at home - it is a bit like the social they cannot go by your parents earnings if you are over 25 , it sucks being at home - but no other choice at the moment

    ring susi if you are unsure - but i think this should be the case -

    it should go on your earnings last year









    Bookworm85 wrote: »
    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!


  • #509
    grasshopper1
    Registered Users Posts: 63 ✭✭grasshopper1


    osarusan wrote: »
    Hi, I am hoping that I can find an answer to my query here. I am an Irish citizen, born in Ireland, educated in Ireland up to and including masters degree level. I have lived outside Ireland and the EU for the last 3 1/2 years, and it will be four years when my contract is up here in Tokyo.
    I would love to return to Ireland to do a PhD, but I am wondering if I will be eligible for European fees or if I will have to pay international student fees.
    I had a look at a university website, but it wasn't clear to me if there was a residency criterion and a nationality and previous study criterion, or if it was a residency criterion or nationality and previous study criterion.

    Konichiwa sarusan, As far as I know 'free fees' are only for undergraduate, and yes, you must have lived in Ireland or Europe for at least three years before applying as an undergrad to get 'free fees'.
    I'm not too sure on the higher levels, but I think you must pay, though there are more ways that one to skin a cat. Might be worth your while to email the universities you are interested in asking for more details.
    I agree, very difficult to really comprehend what they mean

    Best,

    grasshopper1


  • #510
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    Originally Posted by Bookworm85 viewpost.gif 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!


    W86indow wrote: »
    Hello , I am really sorry for your loss

    I think that you should be entitled to the grant - as you are over 25 I am guessing by your nickname there

    so you should be classed as an independent mature applicant even though you are living at home - it is a bit like the social they cannot go by your parents earnings if you are over 25 , it sucks being at home - but no other choice at the moment

    ring susi if you are unsure - but i think this should be the case -

    it should go on your earnings last year

    Firstly, Sorry for your loss.

    As you are living in the family home you are a Mature Dependent and must apply as such. if you cannot select that your father is deceased put a note on the end of the form in the comments box.
    You will then be assessed as a person with a change of circumstances for 2014 and income for this year will be taken into account and your fathers income removed.

    Best of luck with your application.


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  • #511
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    Originally Posted by osarusan View Post

    Hi, I am hoping that I can find an answer to my query here. I am an Irish citizen, born in Ireland, educated in Ireland up to and including masters degree level. I have lived outside Ireland and the EU for the last 3 1/2 years, and it will be four years when my contract is up here in Tokyo.
    I would love to return to Ireland to do a PhD, but I am wondering if I will be eligible for European fees or if I will have to pay international student fees.
    I had a look at a university website, but it wasn't clear to me if there was a residency criterion and a nationality and previous study criterion, or if it was a residency criterion or nationality and previous study criterion

    You must be resident in Ireland, EU, EEA or Switzerland for 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible for any student grant from Ireland.

    The Post Graduate Grant Assistance is €2000 fees contribution or up to €6270 if you qualify for a special rate.


  • #512
    CaoimheMalone
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4 ✭CaoimheMalone


    applied for back to education at the start of august :/ still no word back


  • #513
    osarusan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,692 ✭✭✭✭osarusan


    grasshopper1 wrote: »
    Konichiwa sarusan, As far as I know 'free fees' are only for undergraduate, and yes, you must have lived in Ireland or Europe for at least three years before applying as an undergrad to get 'free fees'.
    I'm not too sure on the higher levels, but I think you must pay, though there are more ways that one to skin a cat. Might be worth your while to email the universities you are interested in asking for more details.
    I agree, very difficult to really comprehend what they mean

    Best,

    grasshopper1
    Sup08 wrote: »
    You must be resident in Ireland, EU, EEA or Switzerland for 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible for any student grant from Ireland.

    The Post Graduate Grant Assistance is €2000 fees contribution or up to €6270 if you qualify for a special rate.

    Thanks both.

    Just to clarify, I'm not looking for free fees or grants. I know I'll have to pay. I'm wondering whether I'd be eligible for EU fees for a PhD, or have to pay 'international student' fees, which would obviously be much higher.

    I've emailed UL with much the same info as in my earlier post, and they said that, based on the info in my email it looks like I'd be eligible for EU fees rather than inteernational fees.


  • #514
    thierrys other hand
    Registered Users Posts: 41 ✭thierrys other hand


    QUOTE "You must be resident in Ireland, EU, EEA or Switzerland for 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible for any student grant from Ireland."

    My friend has just started degree in nursing in England. she was born in ireland and has irish PPS No. , but moved to England when she was 16.So she has been out of Ireland for more than 3 years. The rest of her family are still living in Ireland and she would like to come home.
    Does anyone know if it is possible to transfer back to a nursing course here or would she have to reapply?
    From reading the BTEA and Student Grant websites i found it difficult to understand about funding. Is it possible to get funding to continue studying or would she have to live here for a certain amount of time before qualifing for funding?
    I tried asking the local Citizens Advice but they were not too sure either.
    All help greatly appreciated and thanks for all the good info so far .


  • #515
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    thierrys other hand wrote: »
    QUOTE "You must be resident in Ireland, EU, EEA or Switzerland for 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible for any student grant from Ireland."

    My friend has just started degree in nursing in England. she was born in ireland and has irish PPS No. , but moved to England when she was 16.So she has been out of Ireland for more than 3 years. The rest of her family are still living in Ireland and she would like to come home.
    Does anyone know if it is possible to transfer back to a nursing course here or would she have to reapply?
    From reading the BTEA and Student Grant websites i found it difficult to understand about funding. Is it possible to get funding to continue studying or would she have to live here for a certain amount of time before qualifing for funding?
    I tried asking the local Citizens Advice but they were not too sure either.
    All help greatly appreciated and thanks for all the good info so far .

    She would have to check with the college about transferring her course to Ireland.
    If she meets all the eligibility requirements, she would be eligible for the Fees part of the grant for her course in Ireland. If during her course she becomes 3 years resident in Ireland she will then be eligible for them maintenance part of the course but only if she is not in receipt of BTEA and meet the threshold requirements.

    Unfortunately, I do not know enough about the BTEA side of things.


  • #516
    paperclip2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,280 ✭✭✭paperclip2


    To get BTEA she needs 234 days (not counting Sundays) on a social welfare payment such as Jobseekers before becoming eligible afaik.


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  • #517
    thierrys other hand
    Registered Users Posts: 41 ✭thierrys other hand


    Thanks for both those replies. That makes it straightforward to understand. Is there any other maintenance grant that I have not thought about for here along the lines of BETA. I couldn't find one myself but maybe there is something overlooked out there?


  • #518
    paperclip2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,280 ✭✭✭paperclip2


    Not really. Pretty much the only sources of state financial support are the DSP payment BTEA and the SUSI grant. You can sometimes get limited assistance from the Vincent de Paul and if you are working you can claim tax back from revenue on certain fees but that's pretty much it as far as I know.


  • #519
    McSasquatch II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 477 ✭✭McSasquatch II


    Hi everyone,

    I had been planning on going to university next year as a mature student but my local Citizens Information office has pretty much told me I won't be eligible for free fees, grants or the BTEA because I've studied at 3rd level before - I completed an EIQA awarded certificate in 2007 (I enrolled to do the follow up year in 2008 for the diploma in the same subject, but didn't complete that second year). As far as I know, the award I received is NFQ level 7, whereas I would be doing a level 8 program next year (UCD Ag Science degree). I'm currently unemployed and in receipt of JSA.

    So, if my situation doesn't change, what am I entitled to? Please tell me my CIC gave me faulty info! Otherwise I'm pretty screwed. :(


  • #520
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    Oak76 wrote: »
    Hi everyone,

    I had been planning on going to university next year as a mature student but my local Citizens Information office has pretty much told me I won't be eligible for free fees, grants or the BTEA because I've studied at 3rd level before - I completed an EIQA awarded certificate in 2007 (I enrolled to do the follow up year in 2008 for the diploma in the same subject, but didn't complete that second year). As far as I know, the award I received is NFQ level 7, whereas I would be doing a level 8 program next year (UCD Ag Science degree). I'm currently unemployed and in receipt of JSA.

    So, if my situation doesn't change, what am I entitled to? Please tell me my CIC gave me faulty info! Otherwise I'm pretty screwed. :(

    If you have not studied since 2008 and have not gained any qualification for the level you are pursuing , you may be considered a second chance student.
    If you only studied at Level 7 and gained the qualification you may be eligible for funding once you are progressing and a maximum of 4 years study at level 8.


  • #521
    paperclip2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,280 ✭✭✭paperclip2


    You wont be eligible for the free fee initiative but you might be able to have your tuition fees paid if you meet the criteria for the SUSI grant. They can fund you to do a level 8 degree from first year if your existing qualification is at level 7. You have to meet the income, residence and nationality criteria though.


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  • #522
    McSasquatch II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 477 ✭✭McSasquatch II


    Balls. Feels unfair seeing as I didn't get free fees for the first course I did.

    Anyway, thanks for the feedback folks. Will have to do some thinking.


  • #523
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    Why balls?
    Give details of courses, qualifications and start and end dates of each course.including levels and part time or full time in chronological order.


  • #524
    McSasquatch II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 477 ✭✭McSasquatch II


    "Balls" because I'm technically a "mature dependent student" which means I'm likely to get next to nothing when means-tested.

    Anyway, my third level experience thus far;

    2006-2007 Part 1 EIQA Diploma in Quality Management (@ DIT Bolton St) - completed, awarded certificate.
    2007-2008 Part 2 EIQA Diploma in Quality Management (@ DIT Bolton St) - didn't finish.

    Both years were part-time (2-3 hours a week). It looks like the location of the course (and indeed some of the content) has moved from Bolton St to Tallaght (run in other ITs around the country too). Level 7. Thanks for your time by the way, it's hugely appreciated.


  • #525
    paperclip2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,280 ✭✭✭paperclip2


    Oak76 wrote: »
    "Balls" because I'm technically a "mature dependent student" which means I'm likely to get next to nothing when means-tested.

    Anyway, my third level experience thus far;

    2006-2007 Part 1 EIQA Diploma in Quality Management (@ DIT Bolton St) - completed, awarded certificate.
    2007-2008 Part 2 EIQA Diploma in Quality Management (@ DIT Bolton St) - didn't finish.

    Both years were part-time (2-3 hours a week). It looks like the location of the course (and indeed some of the content) has moved from Bolton St to Tallaght (run in other ITs around the country too). Level 7. Thanks for your time by the way, it's hugely appreciated.


    Oak if you didn't get the Diploma then you should only be liable for fees for the first two years of the Ag Science degree because technically you only have the certificate, (level 6) not the level 7 qualification. It would be a good idea to contact UCD to double check your free fee status as they are the ones who would decide your Free Fee Initiative eligibility. Or you could talk to the Dept of Education Student Support Unit. they are pretty good at clarifying info on the Free Fee Initiative: (057) 932 5317


  • #526
    McSasquatch II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 477 ✭✭McSasquatch II


    Thanks so much paperclip, I had planned to call into UCD admin on Monday alright. I found this table of reckonable bands on studentfinance.ie, and it looks like I'd qualify to have all fees paid via the grant system. The big worry then would be the day to day costs, but I rang the DSP this morning re: the BTEA and was told that as things stand now, my previous course wouldn't prevent me from getting the allowance as it was at a lower level than the course I'd be going for next year. That could change next summer though.

    I had a horrible night worrying about all this... For the first time in my life, I know exactly what I want to do, so to miss out now would break my heart. Anyway, I'll call the Student Support Unit now, and let you know how I get on.


  • #527
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    Oak76 wrote: »

    Anyway, my third level experience thus far;

    2006-2007 Part 1 EIQA Diploma in Quality Management (@ DIT Bolton St) - completed, awarded certificate.

    This is your level 7 qualification.
    2007-2008 Part 2 EIQA Diploma in Quality Management (@ DIT Bolton St) - didn't finish.
    This course would have been the level 8.

    As the second part was more than 5 years ago and you did not receive the qualification, you should be considered a second chance student.

    Both of the courses were not approved courses but the qualification is still recognised on the NFQ.
    Part time courses are counted for a period of study based on the ECTS, generally 60 ECTS = 1 year full time, so 30 ECTS would equal 1 semester period of study.
    There should be no period of study for you and if you are eligible meeting all the other criteria surrounding reckonable income etc, you would qualify to enter year 1 on a level 8 as progression.


  • #528
    McSasquatch II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 477 ✭✭McSasquatch II


    Thanks Sup08, much obliged.

    I rang the Student Support Unit earlier (although I got through to a different department, but she transferred me over anyway) and was told I'd definitely not receive free fees. But then UCD's help desk told me (after checking and then calling me back) that I'd be considered a second chance student and would indeed be entitled to free fees.

    Thanks again everyone, I'll keep ye posted if there are any developments!


  • #529
    kildub
    Registered Users Posts: 21 ✭kildub


    OAK 76, did you get free fees/BTEA sorted? What happened?


  • #530
    McSasquatch II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 477 ✭✭McSasquatch II


    Hi kildub.

    I've arranged to talk to someone in the Adult Education office in UCD next week, so they might be able to get me someone to talk to in the fees office. Even if UCD don't grant me free fees, I'm pretty sure I'll get them paid by SUSI.

    As for the BTEA, no idea. The DSP helpline operator told me I'd get them, but she also said that the criteria could well change in the summer. So that one is wait-and-see.


  • #531
    UpsideDown Face
    Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭UpsideDown Face


    Hi I'm 24 living away from home I've already completed a level 7 & 8 hons degree which I received a grant for. I want to go back to college to study study something different as I can't find work in my feild, is there any type of grant or funding I might be eligible for?


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  • #532
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    UpsideDown Face wrote: »
    Hi I'm 24 living away from home I've already completed a level 7 & 8 hons degree which I received a grant for. I want to go back to college to study study something different as I can't find work in my feild, is there any type of grant or funding I might be eligible for?

    If you were awarded your Hons Degree you may only be eligible for grant assistance if you progress to postgraduate studies.


  • #533
    UpsideDown Face
    Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭UpsideDown Face


    Sup08 wrote: »
    If you were awarded your Hons Degree you may only be eligible for grant assistance if you progress to postgraduate studies.

    I was awarded my hons degree!

    So there is absolutely no way I can receive any assistance from BTEA or susi ect if I want to do a different level 7 even if I wait 5years


  • #534
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    UpsideDown Face wrote: »
    I was awarded my hons degree!

    So there is absolutely no way I can receive any assistance from BTEA or susi ect if I want to do a different level 7 even if I wait 5years

    There is no funding from SUSI in respect of anything lower than postgraduate studies if you have completed and been awarded your Hons Degree level 8. Even if you wait 5 years or more. You must be continuing to progress in your studies for further grant assistance and meet the other eligibility criteria.
    I am not too sure on the BTEA side of assistance.


  • #535
    paperclip2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,280 ✭✭✭paperclip2


    UpsideDown Face wrote: »
    I was awarded my hons degree!

    So there is absolutely no way I can receive any assistance from BTEA or susi ect if I want to do a different level 7 even if I wait 5years

    You can only get BTEA if your proposed graduate course is a Teaching qualification or is at level 8 on the national framework of qualifications (i.e a H.Dip or Postgraduate cert or diploma). A Masters programme would not be funded.

    However if you are on a social welfare payment and want to do a science or Technology postgrad you might find something on the Springboard website which lists both under and post grad courses in skill shortage areas.

    These courses are free and don't affect your dsp payment.
    http://www.springboardcourses.ie/


  • #536
    NYGRL
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭NYGRL


    To qualify for the free fees I understand you have to be resident in Ireland for 3 of the previous 5 years. Is that 3 years before applying for college or 3 years before starting the course? A tax year is classified as 189 days or something like that, so technically a year could be covered from Jan 2015 through Sept 2015 before starting a course. However, if the 3 years need to be before you submit the CAO application then it could mean putting everything off for another year. Thanks!


  • #537
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    NYGRL wrote: »
    To qualify for the free fees I understand you have to be resident in Ireland for 3 of the previous 5 years. Is that 3 years before applying for college or 3 years before starting the course? A tax year is classified as 189 days or something like that, so technically a year could be covered from Jan 2015 through Sept 2015 before starting a course. However, if the 3 years need to be before you submit the CAO application then it could mean putting everything off for another year. Thanks!

    It is counted back from the day before start date of your college course. It is counted as a full calendar year, 365 days.


  • #538
    NYGRL
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭NYGRL


    Sup08 wrote: »
    It is counted back from the day before start date of your college course. It is counted as a full calendar year, 365 days.

    I found this info from UCD: *Ordinarily resident means being resident in the EU/EEA/Swiss Confederation for a minimum of 183 days in any one calendar year for a minimum of 3 years

    As long as the year immediately prior to starting the course is counted as a year then I should be ok.
    Thanks for your help


  • #539
    Omega28
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,325 ✭✭✭Omega28


    Considering doing Physiotherapy in RCSI (grad entry). One problem, it's 30k. Would banks listen to a poor, mature, wannabe student?


  • #540
    uptherebels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,728 ✭✭✭uptherebels


    can you be reassessed going from level 7 straight to level8 for susi? i.e from a dependant to an independant?


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  • #541
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    uptherebels wrote: »
    can you be reassessed going from level 7 straight to level8 for susi? i.e from a dependant to an independant?

    No
    You must have a break of 3 years or more from your studies to be reclassed from dependent to independent.
    But you can start in year 1 of a level 8 if you have been awarded your level 7


  • #542
    the whole year inn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,113 ✭✭✭the whole year inn


    My education is I done a PLC and passed that and then done a course in GMIT which I droped out of in the first year , then I done another course shortly after and got to 3rd year before dropping out.I got a diploma and now want to go back and finish/get a degree.

    Since I am more then 5 years out of college and was just made redundant from work and from what I understand that means I qualify for Back to Education so should get the fees paid for but what about the Student Contribution Fee from which I understand SUSI pays for if I qualify for it.


    Since I got a level 7 cert already does that mean I cant go back and do another level 7 and get the fees and Student Contribution Fee payed for?

    Since I dropped out of 2 third level courses does that mean I dont qualify for the second chance scheme ?


  • #543
    Brendygg
    Registered Users Posts: 409 ✭✭Brendygg


    Quick question, If you were on job seekers benefit 9 months before the date your course started would you get the BTEA? Seems like a waste of 9 months. So on jsb from january 2016, apply for course for september 2016, you would qualify? Thanks


  • #544
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    the whole year inn wrote: »
    My education is I done a PLC and passed that and then done a course in GMIT which I droped out of in the first year , then I done another course shortly after and got to 3rd year before dropping out.I got a diploma and now want to go back and finish/get a degree.

    Since I am more then 5 years out of college and was just made redundant from work and from what I understand that means I qualify for Back to Education so should get the fees paid for but what about the Student Contribution Fee from which I understand SUSI pays for if I qualify for it.


    Since I got a level 7 cert already does that mean I cant go back and do another level 7 and get the fees and Student Contribution Fee payed for?

    Since I dropped out of 2 third level courses does that mean I dont qualify for the second chance scheme ?

    You need to find out exactly what NFQ Level your cert/diploma is.
    When you find out this, you will not receive any funding if you attend a course at the same level as the cert/diploma.

    If you qualify and you also qualify for BTEA, depending on your reckonable income, SUSI do pay the contribution portion of the fees if you are eligible.


  • #545
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    Brendygg wrote: »
    Quick question, If you were on job seekers benefit 9 months before the date your course started would you get the BTEA? Seems like a waste of 9 months. So on jsb from january 2016, apply for course for september 2016, you would qualify? Thanks

    From Citizens Advice.
    Qualifying period

    For second level courses you must have been getting a qualifying social welfare payment (see above) for at least 3 months (78 days of unemployment). You must be getting the qualifying paymentimmediately before you start the course.
    For third level courses you must have been getting a qualifying social welfare payment (see above) for 9 months (234 days of unemployment). You must be getting the qualifying payment immediately before you start the course. For the Professional Masters in Education, you must have been getting a qualifying social welfare payment for 12 months (312 days).


  • #546
    Louis Lane 6
    Registered Users Posts: 21 ✭Louis Lane 6


    Hi all, hope you are enjoying the summer. I'm starting a degree course in September as a mature student. In relation to grants/funding I know there is the SUSI, BTEA, Student Assistance Fund and SVdeP. Does anyone who has gone down the road of doing a course as a mature student know of any other grants/funds that helps pay for college?


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  • #547
    paperclip2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,280 ✭✭✭paperclip2


    Louis Lane 6 wrote: »
    Hi all, hope you are enjoying the summer. I'm starting a degree course in September as a mature student. In relation to grants/funding I know there is the SUSI, BTEA, Student Assistance Fund and SVdeP. Does anyone who has gone down the road of doing a course as a mature student know of any other grants/funds that helps pay for college?

    Have a look at pgs 28 to 39 in the booklet below. You might find something useful for you as regards funding.

    http://www.aontas.com/download/pdf/what_next_august_2013_web.pdf


  • #548
    uptherebels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,728 ✭✭✭uptherebels


    Sup08 wrote: »
    No
    You must have a break of 3 years or more from your studies to be reclassed from dependent to independent.
    But you can start in year 1 of a level 8 if you have been awarded your level 7

    See I lived in the UK for five years, came home and lived with the parents for a few months then moved out and returned as a mature student to 3rd level. I could have just sat on the dole for the year i was back and got btea. But I worked a ****ty minimum wage job instead.
    Both my parents are retired but have good pensions so if assessed jointly because i lived with them for a few months in the year before i started I wouldn't receive any grant.
    Does the joint assessment apply regardless of my age(27) and the length of time i was actually back at home?


  • #549
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    uptherebels wrote: »
    See I lived in the UK for five years, came home and lived with the parents for a few months then moved out and returned as a mature student to 3rd level. I could have just sat on the dole for the year i was back and got btea. But I worked a ****ty minimum wage job instead.
    Both my parents are retired but have good pensions so if assessed jointly because i lived with them for a few months in the year before i started I wouldn't receive any grant.
    Does the joint assessment apply regardless of my age(27) and the length of time i was actually back at home?

    If you were already classed, irrespective of where you live, you cannot change your class unless you have a break of 3 years.
    This applies to both independent and dependent.

    For example, If you were classed as a Mature Independent Student on your last course and still moved home to your parents house, you are still classed as being independent at your point of entry or re-entry and cannot be re-classed as dependent.
    The opposite would be if you were classed as being dependent upon your parents because you were under 23 or over 23 but lived with your parents at your point of entry or re-entry, then this class would not change even if you lived independently.

    Therefore if your class is already dependent upon your parents, then your parents income is reckonable no matter what age you are, your marital status or where you live.


  • #550
    betsie
    Registered Users Posts: 51 ✭✭betsie


    This may be a stupid question but when returning to college as a mature student that has to pay fees is it the EU or Non-EU fees you pay. EU makes more sense but these things don't always go with what makes most sense!!


  • #551
    Sup08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭Sup08


    betsie wrote: »
    This may be a stupid question but when returning to college as a mature student that has to pay fees is it the EU or Non-EU fees you pay. EU makes more sense but these things don't always go with what makes most sense!!

    You pay based on your nationality, EU or Non-EU.


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