Forms, Fees & Grants!!

Geo08

My head is a bit melted with all the form filling etc, I hope someone could help with a couple of questions I have!

I am 26 & will be returning to college to do a Degree (first time degree). I'm also an independent mature student.

I completed a 2 year Level 6 Higher Cert at IADT Dun Lao (finished 2005) - does this mean I wont get free fees?

Also I'm filling out my grant application form (do they purposely make it like cludo) as an independent mature, do I still need to fill the bits out with regards to my parents (they live in UK so not PPSN etc) or just fill in info for me?

I also went to college (leaving cert equivalent) in Eng before moving here in 2002 do I include this info on the grant form or is only Irish education relevant?

Many thanks!!

Geo08

Hey Geo08,

Geo08 wrote: »

My head is a bit melted with all the form filling etc, I hope someone could help with a couple of questions I have!

I am 26 & will be returning to college to do a Degree (first time degree). I'm also an independent mature student.

I completed a 2 year Level 6 Higher Cert at IADT Dun Lao (finished 2005) - does this mean I wont get free fees?

My understanding of the free fees scheme is that you are eligible if you 'continue' your education, so going from Level 6 to Level 7 you should be OK (in my eyes). However, because this is pretty complicated the only people who really can give you the all clear would be the Department of Education, so it is worth talking to them rather then getting a shock bill in September!

Also I'm filling out my grant application form (do they purposely make it like cludo) as an independent mature, do I still need to fill the bits out with regards to my parents (they live in UK so not PPSN etc) or just fill in info for me?

I remember hearing last year that you had to fill it in regardless (for silly reasons), however someone on here recently mentioned that they were told just to put N/A down. It may still be Council/VEC dependent so it might be worth checking it out for yourself.

I also went to college (leaving cert equivalent) in Eng before moving here in 2002 do I include this info on the grant form or is only Irish education relevant?

Many thanks!!

Yeah I think all previous education is required.

Geo08

Thanks Myth, looks like ill be making a few phone calls tomorrow!

The Saint

Hey Geo08

I'm going through the same process at the moment. I am a independent mature student also and I sent my application form yesterday. I can only tell you what I've been told calling the VEC but it might be worth while calling them yourself. I applied to Dublin City VEC and I'm doing a post grad.

They said that the only info I need to give about my parents on the form was their names and addresses. All non-relevant info on the form should have a mark across it to show it's N/A (such as ownership of forrests, self employment info, etc..

I had to send proof of all previous study to them such as academic transcripts. I even had to send proof of a cert course I did in 2002/2003 even though I finished my undergrad in something completely different last year.

I also had to send a P21, P60, Proof of address from 1st October last year, long form birth cert.

I think they go out of their way to make the thing as awkward as possible. Nowhere in the accompanying notes does it state that if you're applying as an independent mature student that you don't have to give info on your parents.

Anyway, best of luck with your application. I have my fingers crossed that I get the grant otherwise I'm pretty shagged.

Geo08 wrote: »

My head is a bit melted with all the form filling etc, I hope someone could help with a couple of questions I have!

I am 26 & will be returning to college to do a Degree (first time degree). I'm also an independent mature student.

I completed a 2 year Level 6 Higher Cert at IADT Dun Lao (finished 2005) - does this mean I wont get free fees?

Also I'm filling out my grant application form (do they purposely make it like cludo) as an independent mature, do I still need to fill the bits out with regards to my parents (they live in UK so not PPSN etc) or just fill in info for me?

I also went to college (leaving cert equivalent) in Eng before moving here in 2002 do I include this info on the grant form or is only Irish education relevant?

Many thanks!!

pow wow

The Saint wrote: »

Hey Geo08

I'm going through the same process at the moment. I am a independent mature student also and I sent my application form yesterday. I can only tell you what I've been told calling the VEC but it might be worth while calling them yourself. I applied to Dublin City VEC and I'm doing a post grad.

They said that the only info I need to give about my parents on the form was their names and addresses. All non-relevant info on the form should have a mark across it to show it's N/A (such as ownership of forrests, self employment info, etc..

I had to send proof of all previous study to them such as academic transcripts. I even had to send proof of a cert course I did in 2002/2003 even though I finished my undergrad in something completely different last year.

I also had to send a P21, P60, Proof of address from 1st October last year, long form birth cert.

I think they go out of their way to make the thing as awkward as possible. Nowhere in the accompanying notes does it state that if you're applying as an independent mature student that you don't have to give info on your parents.

Anyway, best of luck with your application. I have my fingers crossed that I get the grant otherwise I'm pretty shagged.

+1

Easily the most unnecessarily complicated (and inefficient) process in the history of student-dom!