Grants etc..

orchidsrpretty

Sorry for starting a new thread about this, but thought it best. I will be returning to full-time education this september as a mature student in NCI. I have been working full time and have a mortgage. I rang the VEC to find out about Grants and was informed that I would only be entitled to the mantinace grant. Surely this can't be right. As I will no longer be working, would I not be entitled to claim the social welfare or something like it? As it seems that if I was un-employed and returning to college, I would get a lot more financial relief.

orchidsrpretty

orchidsrpretty wrote: »

Sorry for starting a new thread about this, but thought it best. I will be returning to full-time education this september as a mature student in NCI. I have been working full time and have a mortgage. I rang the VEC to find out about Grants and was informed that I would only be entitled to the mantinace grant. Surely this can't be right. As I will no longer be working, would I not be entitled to claim the social welfare or something like it? As it seems that if I was un-employed and returning to college, I would get a lot more financial relief.

Hi orchidsrpretty,

What you’re saying is correct to the best of my knowledge. There have been a few people on here who have hit the same barrier – that if they were unemployed before it would be been a lot better.

Just one thing to remember when you do get to college – all colleges have a confidential fund for students if they are experiencing hardship. You mightn’t need it, but it is something to keep in mind in case times do get tough.

Sorry that I couldn’t help more.

Dónal

orchidsrpretty

Thanks for the quick reply. Its shocking really how the goverment have these things set up. Im suprised the whole country doesn't just become un-employed, we'd all be better off!