how is one considered a"disadvantaged mature student"?

Timmy_d

would like to know does anyone have any info on this,i know the grant money is alot more for disadvantaged compared to normal grant rate...

The level of the grant depends on a few things;

*The distance you live to the college you'll be attending
*Your level of income for the previous year
*The number of dependent children

etc.

I assume you're talking about the Top-up grant, which is detailed here (note: this is information for 2006/7, the figures may change when it is updated (hopefully shortly)):

"Top-up"grants for disadvantaged students

Disadvantaged students who meet a number of conditions can qualify for "top-up" grants.

Applicants must qualify for the ordinary maintenance grant for the academic year 2006/2007 and total reckonable income in the tax year January to December 2005 must not exceed €16,748 net of Child Dependant Allowances and standard exclusions.

For students, including mature students, who are assessed on parent(s)/guardian income, their parent(s)/guardian must, on 31 December 2005, have been:

* Claiming long-term social welfare payments, or
* Claiming Family Income Supplement or
* Participating in designated programmes (for example, FÁS training programmes).

For students assessed on their own income, on 31 December 2005, the student must have been receiving an eligible (long-term) social welfare payment (including long-term Jobseeker's Allowance), or Family Income Supplement or participating in a designated programme.

So to qualify for the max, that'd be almost €6,000, you need to qualify for the income limit of the Top-up grant after having qualified for the non-adjacent rate (living over 15 miles from college) and the income limits (100% grant), as well as the other grant requirements.

Citizensinformation.ie link: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/education/third-level-education/fees-and-supports-for-third-level-education/higher_education_grants_scheme

Best thing to do would be to contact your Council to enquire more about this. Remember, the closing date is the 31st of August.

Timmy_d

thanks a mill myth will contact them today