********Help Please - Advice needed!********

Newport81

Hi Guys,
Am starting Full Time in NUIG on a undergraduate Arts degree in September, Am having second thoughts on this as im worried about what am gonna do for money am 26 nearly 27 and never been happy in any of the jobs ive had since i left school, feel like ive hit a dead end in jobs where i cant really move any further without some specialism or professional qualification, didnt do to well in my Leaving and i always said id go back to Uni when the time was right, i dont really wanna leave it much longer as im gettin on now and will be 30 by the time i get the degree and am sure will have to do a postgrad or masters to get a decent job after!
Was speaking to the Mature Students officer and she said if i go back to full time study the fees will be free, thank god! but im prob not eligible for any grant or anything as im living at home with my mum and apparently it doesnt matter what age u are those are still tested on your parents salary when u live there - which isnt fair as i dont get money off her, why would i?!? Is there anyway around this? my salary in 2007 was less than 10,000 and i did claim social welfare for a few months of that year? Hoping someone can shed some light on this for me and advise me on what to do? also for any other mature students how did u cope without the full time wage? ive been looking for part time work from sept onwards and cant see anything, really gettin me down, am way too old too be collecting glasses in nightclubs, lol!

thanks in advance

smashey

Don't be disheartened. I went back at 37 :eek: and while I missed having a regular income, I did some part time work. You've come this far, don't back out now.

LadyMayBelle

Im 25 and going back to nuig after a break of 5years and will be 27.5when i graduate from my masters! i have worked full time for the past five years in a few diff jobs so like you am very anxious about managing on a part time wage(if i can get a position at all) i guess you should check out the student finance section under education there may be some assistance but i doubt it to be honest! for me i just feel that if i have to take a student loan in the next two years hopefully i will be able to pay it back if i succeed in getting a decent masters. dont worry, i feel well old to be picking up glasses in a pub too but something will turn up!

brianthebard

Is your mum still working?Her salary will be taken into account but that doesn't automatically mean you won't get some portion of a grant afaik.Ive only been out of uni a year and am nervous of going back,so i don't what that feels like for you!

cobweb

was a mature student in NUIG loved it

If this is your first time at college apply for the grant from your local HEA/county council, you can get parttime work in a hospital pa is ok as domestic or ward attendant. There are also plenty of shops in Galway that offer partime work, friend of mine did security work a couple if nights a weeks to make ends meet.

paperclip2

smyths wrote: »

Hi Guys,
Am starting Full Time in NUIG on a undergraduate Arts degree in September, Am having second thoughts on this as im worried about what am gonna do for money am 26 nearly 27 and never been happy in any of the jobs ive had since i left school, feel like ive hit a dead end in jobs where i cant really move any further without some specialism or professional qualification, didnt do to well in my Leaving and i always said id go back to Uni when the time was right, i dont really wanna leave it much longer as im gettin on now and will be 30 by the time i get the degree and am sure will have to do a postgrad or masters to get a decent job after!
Was speaking to the Mature Students officer and she said if i go back to full time study the fees will be free, thank god! but im prob not eligible for any grant or anything as im living at home with my mum and apparently it doesnt matter what age u are those are still tested on your parents salary when u live there - which isnt fair as i dont get money off her, why would i?!? Is there anyway around this? my salary in 2007 was less than 10,000 and i did claim social welfare for a few months of that year? Hoping someone can shed some light on this for me and advise me on what to do? also for any other mature students how did u cope without the full time wage? ive been looking for part time work from sept onwards and cant see anything, really gettin me down, am way too old too be collecting glasses in nightclubs, lol!

thanks in advance

Apply for the grant anyway. Even if your mam earned up to 49,690 in 2007 you will still be eligible for something. Have a look at www.studentfinance.ie which will go through all the ins and outs of the grant system. Also have a look at http://www.welfare.ie/publications/sw70.html#1
This goes through the Back to Education allowance criteria and entitlements. Though you may not be eligible for this unless you have 12 months continuous receipt of a social welfare payment immediately before starting the course.

Good luck OP.

colossus-x

However you sort out your finances the one thing I would say is put the idea of being 30 out of your head completely. Worrying about one's age is pointless and drags you back, not forward. Really don't let this put you off even you don't start your first year this year or next or next! I'm starting at age 37 in September. Please don't start (the course) feeling worried about this and that. Make sure you get all your entitlemets or at least know what they are. If you drop out because of stress and money worries and many do you might not get the chance to do it again. Belive me at 27 I was not mature and still aint. Good luck.

Dentalphobe

don't let this ruin your student experience, go you for going back, it will be well worth it. i'll be 33 when i graduate, it really doesn't matter.

you can claim tax back, maybe for the last few years, so thats a start.

your local les centre (local employment scheme) is a government run organisation & if they can't help you they will be able to tell you who will.

you may be eligable for back to education allowance if you are still on social welfare.

do you have a full drivers licence? promotions / marketing agencies pay about €15 an hour for people who are (or pretend to be) outgoing, have an interest in personal grooming & are friendly & reliable.

if you've been working for so long you have a huge heads up on all the people who are just out of school looking for part time work.

list your skills, work out your availability & aim for jobs that match. you won't have to end up collecting glasses in the local of you don't want to, although thats quite a fun job & a great way to meet people!

I'm just starting back too but my nerves have now given way to excitement & i can't bleedin wait! hope you get excited about it for yourself too

orchidsrpretty

Dentalphobe wrote: »

don't let this ruin your student experience, go you for going back, it will be well worth it. i'll be 33 when i graduate, it really doesn't matter.

you can claim tax back, maybe for the last few years, so thats a start.

Can I ask, what do you mean by this? Can you claim tax back for the past years if you are going back to college??