VTOS Eligibility

Cliona99

I really hope someone can help me out here because I'm at a bit of a loss. I've been on jsa for five months. I applied to do a Nursing Studies course at the local VEC. I was depending on the VTOS to enable me to afford it. But I've just got an email from the VEC saying it's unlikely because applicants studying at the Adult Education Centre (Social Studies/Leaving Cert/FETAC Level 3) are given priority. (Even though the VEC run both schools...?) I don't have a problem with that, but without VTOS I can't do the course and unless I get a job (touch wood) I'll go on collecting jsa. Why can't the social welfare pay me the same amount of money but let me get an education at the same time? Why do they need to limit the number of people on VTOS so much because if applicants aren't on courses they're collecting the dole? Sorry this is a bit rambly. I'm just annoyed. Can anyone here on the VTOS scheme tell me how the system works? And if there's any point in applying?

Thanks!

eyesofvenus

Cliona99 wrote: »

I really hope someone can help me out here because I'm at a bit of a loss. I've been on jsa for five months. I applied to do a Nursing Studies course at the local VEC. I was depending on the VTOS to enable me to afford it. But I've just got an email from the VEC saying it's unlikely because applicants studying at the Adult Education Centre (Social Studies/Leaving Cert/FETAC Level 3) are given priority. (Even though the VEC run both schools...?) I don't have a problem with that, but without VTOS I can't do the course and unless I get a job (touch wood) I'll go on collecting jsa. Why can't the social welfare pay me the same amount of money but let me get an education at the same time? Why do they need to limit the number of people on VTOS so much because if applicants aren't on courses they're collecting the dole? Sorry this is a bit rambly. I'm just annoyed. Can anyone here on the VTOS scheme tell me how the system works? And if there's any point in applying?

Thanks!

Yeah im a bit confused on this one as well! I thought you could get VTOS even if you were doing HETAC courses??(i.e. level 6,7 and 8)
But it says on vtos site that it covers junior, secondary and fetac/ncva lvls 1,2,3(http://vtos.ie/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=27)

It's all quite confusing...


*Edit*
Just found this also on VTOS site:
The range of learning opportunities provided by VTOS centres includes:
- Junior Certificate
- Leaving Certificate
- Courses leading to a FETAC award at Level 3 on the National Framework of Qualifications
- Courses leading to a FETAC award at Level 4 on the National Framework of Qualifications
- Courses leading to a FETAC award at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications

So thats bull what you were told, they shouldn't be allowed to distinguish between levels

Cliona99

Thanks for the reply eyesofvenus, I'm glad I'm not the only one confused!
I wonder if they had to start making distinctions between levels because demand for VTOS has risen lately with the number of people unemployed? But I don't see why they should be so limited if it costs them the same for someone to stay on the dole, (because they can't find work in the field they trained/have experience in), or to re-train. I desperately want to do this Nursing Studies course and I've been saving since I applied in January but without VTOS there's just no way I could keep up with bills for the nine months it lasts.

Does the BTEA cover levels 6, 7, and 8?

eyesofvenus

Cliona99 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply eyesofvenus, I'm glad I'm not the only one confused!
I wonder if they had to start making distinctions between levels because demand for VTOS has risen lately with the number of people unemployed? But I don't see why they should be so limited if it costs them the same for someone to stay on the dole, (because they can't find work in the field they trained/have experience in), or to re-train. I desperately want to do this Nursing Studies course and I've been saving since I applied in January but without VTOS there's just no way I could keep up with bills for the nine months it lasts.

Does the BTEA cover levels 6, 7, and 8?

The way they look at it is, JSA is only given to you to keep you going til you find work. VTOS is different, its supposed to help you "upskill". As far as I know BTEA covers third level education. If you have been on JSB/JSA for over 9 months you should qualify for it.

Heres excerpt from citizensinformation site on BTEA:

Third-level option

You can attend a third-level course of education at any university, third-level college or institution, provided that the course is a full-time day course of study and is approved by one of the following:

• Department of Education and Science for Higher Education Grant purposes
• VEC Scholarship Scheme
• Third Level Maintenance Grant Scheme for Trainees
• Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) recognition.

If you already have an undergraduate third-level qualification, (i.e., you already have a degree) your application for a Back to Education Allowance may still be considered. You should get in touch directly with the Back to Education Allowance Section at the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
You may get the Back to Education Allowance for a postgraduate course of study that leads to a Higher Diploma (H.Dip.) qualification in any discipline or a Graduate Diploma in Education (primary and secondary teaching). Other types of postgraduate qualifications are not recognised for BTEA.
You will not get BTEA if you already have a postgraduate qualification.
Back to Education Allowance is not payable during the summer months. You may however be eligible for Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit.


Il edit in what you need to qualify too:

To qualify for the Back to Education Allowance, you must be at least 21 years of age (24 years of age for a third-level postgraduate course). For exceptions to the age limit - see below.

If you wish to attend a second level course you must be getting one of the social welfare payments listed below for at least 6 months immediately before you start the course (3 months if you are a jobseeker and out of the formal education system for at least 2 years).

If you wish to attend a third level course you must be getting one of the social welfare payments listed below for 12 months immediately before you start the course (9 months if you are assessed and approved by FÁS under the National Employment Action Plan or a Facilitator from DSFA).

Qualifying social welfare payments are:

* Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit
* Farm Assist
* One-Parent Family Payment
* Deserted Wife's Benefit/Allowance
* Widow/Widower's (Contributory) Pension
* Widow/Widower's (Non-Contributory) Pension
* Prisoners Wife's Allowance
* Carer's Allowance (after your caring responsibilities have finished)

and you can get it between 18-20 if you have been out of education system for 2 years or more + if you got statutory redundancy

Cliona99

Okay, got some answers. VTOS is run differently depending on the county.
The following is a direct quote from the very nice lady in the guidence office of Louth VEC.

"In some counties they operate a ‘dispersed’ mode of participation which provides funding for attendance in colleges of further education.

In other counties (such as Louth) the funding is used to provide specialised programmes that have been designed to help the long term unemployed to develop the skills that will help them to re-enter the workforce or progress to further education, this is a ‘core’ VTOS programme. It is for this reason that funding is usually available only to those people who are studying on the VTOS programme in the Adult Education Centre in King Street. As far as I am aware this has always been the case in County Louth. "

So, no VTOS for me And no BTEA either because I already have a 3rd level qualification and only in "very exceptional circumstances" would I be eligible.

Thanks for your help eyesofvenus, and hopefully this will clear things up for anyone else in Louth hoping for VTOS funding.

Cliona.

Corholio

Cliona99 wrote: »

I really hope someone can help me out here because I'm at a bit of a loss. I've been on jsa for five months. I applied to do a Nursing Studies course at the local VEC. I was depending on the VTOS to enable me to afford it. But I've just got an email from the VEC saying it's unlikely because applicants studying at the Adult Education Centre (Social Studies/Leaving Cert/FETAC Level 3) are given priority. (Even though the VEC run both schools...?) I don't have a problem with that, but without VTOS I can't do the course and unless I get a job (touch wood) I'll go on collecting jsa. Why can't the social welfare pay me the same amount of money but let me get an education at the same time? Why do they need to limit the number of people on VTOS so much because if applicants aren't on courses they're collecting the dole? Sorry this is a bit rambly. I'm just annoyed. Can anyone here on the VTOS scheme tell me how the system works? And if there's any point in applying?

Thanks!

Before I started receiving VTOS 2 years ago I was told you had to be on the dole 6 months before you can receive it, luckily I just about qualified for it.

Maybe this is also an issue

LegacyUser

if im from co wicklow and i want to do a course in dunaoghaire co dublin can i still get the vtos payment?