[Article] Returning to education has never been more inviting

Irish Independent 07/01/2008

www.independent.ie/education/going-to-college/returning-to-education-has-never-been-more-inviting-1259264.html

Returning to education has never been more inviting

THE decision to return to education is a significant one and entering college for the first time as a mature student on an undergraduate course or returning after many years may seem a daunting prospect.

However, there is an increasing number of supports and services available to help you to make the smooth transition to higher education.

There is often a wide variety of questions that you need to ask, such as; How do I apply for a place on a course? What are the entry requirements? Will I be entitled to financial assistance? What supports will be available when I join a course? Will there be other mature students on my course?

Some of the answers are straightforward. A person who is at least 23 on January 1, 2008 will generally be considered a mature student for purposes of entry to a third level course in autumn 2008.

Some higher education institutions require applications for entry to be made directly to themselves while the majority require applications to be made through the CAO. The general closing date for entry in autumn 2008 is February 1, 2008, but a discount is available to those who submit online applications before January 20, 2008.

A few institutions require application to be made directly and through the CAO. In all cases, mature applicants should contact the admissions office or mature student officer of the higher education institutions to which they are making an application well in advance of the CAO closing date of February 1, 2008. A list of the institutions which require direct application is shown on page 5 of the CAO handbook (see www.cao.ie).

Entry requirements to a third level undergraduate course continue to vary from course to course.

Each person applying for a place on a course tends to be considered on an individual basis, taking into account her/his motivation to do the course, potential to benefit from the course, prior academic achievement and knowledge and skills gained through work and life experiences.

Some institutions interview mature applicants, others ask them to submit a short statement of interest in the course in question.

A small number of institutions require students to do an aptitude test.

Financial assistance may be available. Once a mature applicant has a place on a full-time course in an approved institution she/he may apply to the local Vocational Education Committee (VEC) for a third level grant for attendance at higher certificate (Level 6) or ordinary bachelor degree (Level 7) courses or to the local authority in the case of honours bachelor degree (Level 8) courses.

In all cases she/he must satisfy the provisions of a means test to qualify for a grant.

If the mature applicant is getting one of a range of specified social welfare payments she/he may apply to the local social welfare office for the Back-to-Education Allowance (BTEA) which is an educational opportunities scheme that enables people to retain their social welfare payment while doing a third level course.

In addition to the student supports listed above, access officers within institutions administer a Student Assistance Fund for students experiencing financial hardship.

Once you have joined third level, most institutions have a dedicated Mature Students Officer, who will be able to tell you all about the services and supports available in the college such as accommodation, health services, social activities and careers services.

Orientation

Most institutions organise dedicated orientation and induction programmes for mature students which generally take place before you begin in third level.

Detailed information on mature student entry to undergraduate courses in universities and institutes of technology is available through Qualifax -- the national courses database at www.qualifax.ie.

The booklet Financial Support for Further and Higher Education published by the Department of Education and Science (tel: (057) 932-5317 or www.education.ie) contains a wide range of useful information for prospective mature students.

A further source of information is the National Access Office within the Higher Education Authority (click on Access at www.hea.ie).