Back To Education / Grant

BroFlo

bigchief wrote: »

Hey BroFlo,

thanks for the reply. I am just very concerned as I am sharing a house at the minute and the cottage I want to rent in limerick I would rent on my own so the amount of rent allowance would considerably change. Then again I could be just a bit paranoid but I would hate to find myself stuck with no money and no accommodation, it could cause a few problems
It is a gamble I suppose but I wonder would I not be safer just sharing a house with other people and forgetting about the rent allowance?

so u are getting rent allowance for renting a room, is it? the amount you get may vary because you are changing from s.w in Galway to S.w in Limerick so you will get whatever rate is in LImerick. Im nearly sure you can go from renting a room to renting a house but i think it may have to be a one bed and equal or below the s.w. rate.

This link below may be very useful, near the end of the page there are the rates required in every county,weather its a room/ house your renting etc.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/supplementary-welfare-schemes/rent_supplement

bigchief

Hi BroFlo,

I am getting rent allowance for one room in a shared house yes. I had checked out the link and I will try to get in touch with CWO in Limerick tomorrow to see what the story is.

Thanks again.

sparkling sea

For anyone on BTEA make sure you apply to the VEC for you SSC exemption ASAP. I know of several people who have been told they are not entitled to this at their local corporation offices however you can download the form from student finance.ie and send it in directly.
Also if your parents have been made redundant recently this is also considered.
The form you use is the same as the maintenance grant one and covers your registration fees only. For those who are means tested under parents income the limit is €51380, the reckonable income limits increase for every extra child in college.
The BTEA doesn't cover your registration fees and you have to show the social welfare that you have registared to qualify for your €500 book allowance.

Casper Gomez

sparkling sea wrote: »

For anyone on BTEA make sure you apply to the VEC for you SSC exemption ASAP. I know of several people who have been told they are not entitled to this at their local corporation offices however you can download the form from student finance.ie and send it in directly.
Also if your parents have been made redundant recently this is also considered.
The form you use is the same as the maintenance grant one and covers your registration fees only. For those who are means tested under parents income the limit is €51380, the reckonable income limits increase for every extra child in college.
The BTEA doesn't cover your registration fees and you have to show the social welfare that you have registared to qualify for your €500 book allowance.

Do you have a link for this. Was on student finances but couldn't see it. Ta

Annasopra

Casper Gomez wrote: »

Do you have a link for this. Was on student finances but couldn't see it. Ta

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9530/support-for-those-on-social-welfare-or-btea/index.html

Casper Gomez

Johnnymcg wrote: »

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9530/support-for-those-on-social-welfare-or-btea/index.html

Thanks:)

BornToBe?

sparkling sea wrote: »

For anyone on BTEA make sure you apply to the VEC for you SSC exemption ASAP. I know of several people who have been told they are not entitled to this at their local corporation offices however you can download the form from student finance.ie and send it in directly.


Do you have a link for this? couldn't find it on the website

Casper Gomez

Yea, get on top of this asap. I was just told that VEC only cover fees for FETAC level 7 and up. If you are doing level 5 or 6 then yer knackered. This is a new change implemented since last years budget. I've never contacted an amount of people in my life who job position should include knowing this stuff but in reality most know f**k all

*Hank Scorpio*

sparkling sea wrote: »

For anyone on BTEA make sure you apply to the VEC for you SSC exemption ASAP.

When you say exemption do you mean that the SSC will be paid for you?

Piriz

what is SSC ??

Cliona99

SSC= Student Services Charge (I think)

Carolanne..

mikey1 wrote: »

You can actually apply for both and receive both at the same time, if accepted of course!

no you cant, you can apply for both and receive the fees payment for to council and the grant OR get the fees paid for and get btea, itschanged in the last year

Carolanne..

araic26 wrote: »

sassypsych

Seriously???? so basically i should never have applied for the BTEA??
Im soo confused by it all

Have been receiving OPFP for 4 years!!
CAn't understand why the people in social welfare cant explain this to you when you go in to get BTEA form!!

I am in the exact same situation as you are, more or less, in receiving OPFP for 3 years(You should go on RAS BTW) you should DEFINETLY apply for BTEA, it wil work out so much better in the long run , providing your gettin full cap on rent allowwance! its works out at apprpx 1500 mor over the year plus u can work and when summer comes you dont nedd to change over to opfp it automatically does it(well in regards to you go to socail and tell them summer until you go back onto opfp which can take 3 + months


who ever was saying that you can get the maintenence grant and keep opfp it is true but you lose yer rent all so u need to do the math and see if it suits you, and factor in the 500 book thing too!!

Little Mickey

I've been out of work since June and went on the JSB. I applied straight away to do an add-on year in the same course I completed in 2005, and I can't get the BTEA until I've been out of work 234 days????? WTF? Are they trying to retard the country even more?
I sent off the for the grant recently and between the form and P45s, P60s, bills, copys of degrees etc there was a total of 28 pages altogether, Jesus they should provide a free one day course on how to do it alone!

I've only been skimming through this thread but am I fu<ked for allowances for going back to college?
I'm single, no kids and I wan't to try to go back because no work is turning up so therefore because I've been out of work only 3 months I get no allowance? Or fees? Or rent allowance?

edit: I read on citizensinformation that you can qualify immediately for the BTEA if you have been awarded statutory redundancy. I hope I'm understanding that correct that you don't have to wait the 234 days, can anyone confirm? I'll try to give the local welfare office a ring next week anyway. Link below, it's mentioned in "Rules" > "Redundancy"

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/back-to-education/back_to_education_allowance

sparkling sea

Info below is from Citizens Advice Site

Most colleges charge an annual student services charge. It is also known as a registration fee and it covers student services and examinations. The amount of the charge varies from one institution to another. The maximum rate of the student services charge for the year 2010/2011 is €1,500. If you have qualified for a maintenance grant, you will not have to pay the student services charge.

Exemptions from fees and charges
If you do not qualify for the Free Fees Initiative, you may still qualify for full or partial payment of fees if you satisfy the conditions of the Higher Education Grants Scheme. You may also qualify for exemption from the student services charge.

If you are getting Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) you may qualify for exemption from the student services charge.

How to apply for exemption of Student Service Charges (Registraton Fee)
There is no separate application for the Free Fees Initiative. Your eligibility will be assessed on the basis of the information you give when applying for a college place.

Use the student grant application form to apply for exemption from the student services charge and any fees that may apply to you. There are detailed guidance notes to help you when filling this form.

sparkling sea

Little Mickey wrote: »

I've been out of work since June and went on the JSB. I applied straight away to do an add-on year in the same course I completed in 2005, and I can't get the BTEA until I've been out of work 234 days????? WTF? Are they trying to retard the country even more?
I sent off the for the grant recently and between the form and P45s, P60s, bills, copys of degrees etc there was a total of 28 pages altogether, Jesus they should provide a free one day course on how to do it alone!

I've only been skimming through this thread but am I fu<ked for allowances for going back to college?
I'm single, no kids and I wan't to try to go back because no work is turning up so therefore because I've been out of work only 3 months I get no allowance? Or fees? Or rent allowance?

edit: I read on citizensinformation that you can qualify immediately for the BTEA if you have been awarded statutory redundancy. I hope I'm understanding that correct that you don't have to wait the 234 days, can anyone confirm? I'll try to give the local welfare office a ring next week anyway. Link below, it's mentioned in "Rules" > "Redundancy"

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/back-to-education/back_to_education_allowance

http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7928/back-to-education-allowance/index.html
I already have an Ordinary degree qualification and I now wish to make it an honours degree qualification through further study. Is it possible to get the BTEA in these circumstances?

Yes.

However if you already have an hons degree see below

Check Previous Study on BTEA - http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7593/check-previous-study/index.html

If you already hold a third level undergraduate qualification, you can only apply for a BTEA to take an equivalent undergraduate course in very exceptional cases. You should contact your local social welfare office to discuss your eligibility before completing an application form.

You are not eligible to apply for the BTEA if you already hold a postgraduate qualification

I don't know where you are thinking of going to college/uni but if the are running a any new courses this year you could apply for the course and get the BTEA

Long Term Louth

Little Mickey wrote: »

I've been out of work since June and went on the JSB. I applied straight away to do an add-on year in the same course I completed in 2005, and I can't get the BTEA until I've been out of work 234 days????? WTF? Are they trying to retard the country even more?
I sent off the for the grant recently and between the form and P45s, P60s, bills, copys of degrees etc there was a total of 28 pages altogether, Jesus they should provide a free one day course on how to do it alone!

I've only been skimming through this thread but am I fu<ked for allowances for going back to college?
I'm single, no kids and I wan't to try to go back because no work is turning up so therefore because I've been out of work only 3 months I get no allowance? Or fees? Or rent allowance?

edit: I read on citizensinformation that you can qualify immediately for the BTEA if you have been awarded statutory redundancy. I hope I'm understanding that correct that you don't have to wait the 234 days, can anyone confirm? I'll try to give the local welfare office a ring next week anyway. Link below, it's mentioned in "Rules" > "Redundancy"

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/back-to-education/back_to_education_allowance

If you were awarded Statutory Redundancy you may apply for BTEA, and provided you dont hold a similar or higher educational qualification i.e level 5,6,7,8 etc. you are entitled to attend college and will probably be approved, you must also have attained a college place.

gs39t

sparkling sea wrote: »

Info below is from Citizens Advice Site

Most colleges charge an annual student services charge. It is also known as a registration fee and it covers student services and examinations. The amount of the charge varies from one institution to another. The maximum rate of the student services charge for the year 2010/2011 is €1,500. If you have qualified for a maintenance grant, you will not have to pay the student services charge.

Exemptions from fees and charges
If you do not qualify for the Free Fees Initiative, you may still qualify for full or partial payment of fees if you satisfy the conditions of the Higher Education Grants Scheme. You may also qualify for exemption from the student services charge.

If you are getting Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) you may qualify for exemption from the student services charge.

How to apply for exemption of Student Service Charges (Registraton Fee)
There is no separate application for the Free Fees Initiative. Your eligibility will be assessed on the basis of the information you give when applying for a college place.

Use the student grant application form to apply for exemption from the student services charge and any fees that may apply to you. There are detailed guidance notes to help you when filling this form.

I've been having a real issue with this; the VEC have told me that even if you are not applying for the grant you still need to fill out the entire grant application form, just to find out if you are eligible for the registration fees. This included everything you are assessed on for the maintenance grant, some of which i cannot get until after college starts due to a tax quirk, so i may end up having to pay the registration fees myself due to this

Annasopra

gs39t wrote: »

I've been having a real issue with this; the VEC have told me that even if you are not applying for the grant you still need to fill out the entire grant application form, just to find out if you are eligible for the registration fees. This included everything you are assessed on for the maintenance grant, some of which i cannot get until after college starts due to a tax quirk, so i may end up having to pay the registration fees myself due to this

what can you not get until after college starts due to a tax quirk?

sparkling sea

BornToBe? wrote: »

sparkling sea wrote: »

For anyone on BTEA make sure you apply to the VEC for you SSC exemption ASAP. I know of several people who have been told they are not entitled to this at their local corporation offices however you can download the form from student finance.ie and send it in directly.


Do you have a link for this? couldn't find it on the website

Yep http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7658/download-maintenance-grant-application-form/index.html

You have to fill in the full maintenance grant even if you are only applying for SSC exemption.
Remember the reckonable earnings are higher for the fee exemption then the grant.

Martina05

I'm a bit confused. I've deferred my place in UCC till next year as I dont qualify for the BTEA or a grant. I will qualify for BTEA next year. Do I still have to pay the 11,000+ fees? I thought the state paid them???????

Annasopra

Martina05 wrote: »

I'm a bit confused. I've deferred my place in UCC till next year as I dont qualify for the BTEA or a grant. I will qualify for BTEA next year. Do I still have to pay the 11,000+ fees? I thought the state paid them???????

The state pays them once you are eligible for free fees

littlemaggot

Hi, I have a question about the Back to education allowance as well.
Im a single mum with two young children. Desperately want to go back to college to do something. The problem is the kids ar two young, they ar only 3 and 4. One is in school from 8h50 to 12, the other is in school from 8h50 to 1h30. Its impossible to go to college either full time or part time.I found a suitable distance learning course. but the fees is quite expensive for me to pay (€1300 for the first year).
wonder anyone could give me some advice?

Annasopra

littlemaggot wrote: »

Hi, I have a question about the Back to education allowance as well.
Im a single mum with two young children. Desperately want to go back to college to do something. The problem is the kids ar two young, they ar only 3 and 4. One is in school from 8h50 to 12, the other is in school from 8h50 to 1h30. Its impossible to go to college either full time or part time.I found a suitable distance learning course. but the fees is quite expensive for me to pay (€1300 for the first year).
wonder anyone could give me some advice?

BTEA is only for full time students

Possible sources of financial assistance that you could avail of are

Vincent dePaul
Student Assistance Fund (enquire in the college but I think its only for full time students)
Local Partnership Organisation - e.g. Bray Partnership or Fingal Leader Partnership
Credit Union Loan

YorkGold

Hi,

I have been in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance since last July. I was unemployed from July-November last year and have been signing on casually since then. Sometimes 3 days a week, sometimes no days at all.

I am now wondering if I can apply for BTEA? I have accepted a degree course offer and it is my first time to study.

I have in excess of the required 234 days but does it have to be 234 days in a row, ie no employment at all. Or is it acceptable for the 234 days to be spread out like my situation.

I've been told so many different things now that my head is dizzy!!

If anyone in my position, or anyone in the know could offer some information I would be delighted!

Long Term Louth

YorkGold wrote: »

Hi,

I have been in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance since last July. I was unemployed from July-November last year and have been signing on casually since then. Sometimes 3 days a week, sometimes no days at all.

I am now wondering if I can apply for BTEA? I have accepted a degree course offer and it is my first time to study.

I have in excess of the required 234 days but does it have to be 234 days in a row, ie no employment at all. Or is it acceptable for the 234 days to be spread out like my situation.

I've been told so many different things now that my head is dizzy!!

If anyone in my position, or anyone in the know could offer some information I would be delighted!

My advice would be to ring the jobs facilitator in your local welfare office, or make an appointment to see them. I think you will get the BTEA and in my own experience the Jobs facilitator was the most helpful person I encountered.

HoPpiE

So, I'm just about to pay my registration fee now but I want to make sure I've got this correct: I pay DIT, then Dublin CC pay DIT and DIT refund the fee to me?

Obviously this is based on the assumption that I will be approved for the HEG.

Smarmy

still waiting.......................

Applied the first week of July, I called two weeks ago and the girl doing them said I would hear within a week max. I called last Tuesday and someone in the office took my pps number and said I would be called back. I called again today and was told the same thing. It's very hard to keep my head cool about it. I'm starting college next week and if I don't get the BTEA, I can't go to college. So, until I hear confirmation that I am approved, I can't go to look for a place to rent, etc.

Terrynova3y2

Smarmy wrote: »

still waiting.......................

Applied the first week of July, I called two weeks ago and the girl doing them said I would hear within a week max. I called last Tuesday and someone in the office took my pps number and said I would be called back. I called again today and was told the same thing. It's very hard to keep my head cool about it. I'm starting college next week and if I don't get the BTEA, I can't go to college. So, until I hear confirmation that I am approved, I can't go to look for a place to rent, etc.

I suggest you actually go into your local welfare office and speak to them directly instead of over the phone because it sounds like you're being messed around. I applied for my BTEA in the second week of August and I heard back within a week that I'd been accepted and all I needed was a letter confirming that I'm registered at my college before they started paying me.

You're more likely to get a proper answer in person.

Smarmy

^^ Thanks yeah I'm going to go into them on Wednesday, if nothing comes in the post or I don't get a phone call by then. I know the social welfare offices are up to their eyes, but it is messing me around a bit.

Ah let's hope this time next month, I'm in college, settled and all is good lol

Chorcai

HoPpiE wrote: »

So, I'm just about to pay my registration fee now but I want to make sure I've got this correct: I pay DIT, then Dublin CC pay DIT and DIT refund the fee to me?

Obviously this is based on the assumption that I will be approved for the HEG.

You can do this if you want, but today at the mature welcome day, DIT are happy to wait for HEG (in your case DCC) to pay them.

HoPpiE

Cheers for the heads-up Chorcai but I already paid them on Monday.

Must say it was also nice of them to inform us that there was a Mature Student Welcome Day.

markc1184

Still waiting to hear back about my application. Not so much as a letter of receipt. Think i'll give it until Friday morning and drop into the office then.

Chorcai

HoPpiE wrote: »

Cheers for the heads-up Chorcai but I already paid them on Monday.

Must say it was also nice of them to inform us that there was a Mature Student Welcome Day.

Thats a pitty, Althou you wan did say they give refund with in 2 weeks of HEG/DCC paying them if you paid the fee yourself.

threein99

Hi

I just got a letter this morning regarding my BTEA, it was asking to clarify what level of qualification was the Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship I had done, it turns out that it was level 6 and the course iv applied to do is level 5, so I think now im not going to get the BTEA because you cant get BTEA if your going back down a level, even though the course has nothing to do with the apprenticeship I did its an I.T course, anyone know what I can do now ? would i be entitled to the student grant ?

Smarmy

I called into see the guy in charge at my local Social Welfare office today and he said he himself had just started on Monday and had 250 applications to get through but he took mine out of the pile and processed it there and then. I will start getting the BTEA into my account starting next Thursday, provided I drop in proof of registration on Friday.

He said he usually waits a couple of weeks before giving the book allowance as in the past a few people have took the piss by registering with a course and dropping out after they got the 500 euro.

Have to say he was extremely nice and very helpful and I really appreciated it because I was getting worried about the whole thing as I need the BTEA and if I didn't get it, I wouldn't be able to go to college. And as it was so close to the starting date, I had already looked for a place and paid the deposit. So to say I'm relieved is an understatement.

elexus86

YorkGold wrote: »

Hi,

I have been in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance since last July. I was unemployed from July-November last year and have been signing on casually since then. Sometimes 3 days a week, sometimes no days at all.

I am now wondering if I can apply for BTEA? I have accepted a degree course offer and it is my first time to study.

I have in excess of the required 234 days but does it have to be 234 days in a row, ie no employment at all. Or is it acceptable for the 234 days to be spread out like my situation.

I've been told so many different things now that my head is dizzy!!


If anyone in my position, or anyone in the know could offer some information I would be delighted!

Hi just wondering how you got on?
I am in a similar situation..

Cheers

rlow68

elexus86 wrote: »

Hi just wondering how you got on?
I am in a similar situation..

Cheers

You are entitled, either straightforward or accumulated, as far as you got 234 it is accepted.
Good luck

Sharra

Hi, just wondering if you got your fees situation sorted last year? I am in the same boat. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated :-D

dubshot

Sharra wrote: »

Hi, just wondering if you got your fees situation sorted last year? I am in the same boat. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated :-D

Yea, applied for the BTEA and got it with no problems. You should also get a €500 one off allowance. As for fees I'm not sure but your local social welefare should be able to answer that question.

Hope thats off help:)

Annasopra

Sharra wrote: »

Hi, just wondering if you got your fees situation sorted last year? I am in the same boat. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated :-D

You apply to get the fees paid through the grant forms at www.studentfinance.ie

JD81

Hi Guys,

I've applied for BTEA and just got a reg pack from my college today, and will drop a copy in to my local sw office.My worry is that i have to start on sept 8th and a in the pack i recieved there was an invoice for the 2000 and a giro, i have applied for the fees grant but as of yet there is no reply, and now i'm getting worried as i only have a few weeks left, is this normal? and should i just sit tight and stop worrying?

Thanks

irish_stevo815

JD81 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I've applied for BTEA and just got a reg pack from my college today, and will drop a copy in to my local sw office.My worry is that i have to start on sept 8th and a in the pack i recieved there was an invoice for the 2000 and a giro, i have applied for the fees grant but as of yet there is no reply, and now i'm getting worried as i only have a few weeks left, is this normal? and should i just sit tight and stop worrying?

Thanks

I'm in the same situation. I rang my local authority who are dealing with the Grant applications last week. To my complete surprise and amazement, they said they havent even begun to look at the applications :eek:
I was getting a bit mad at this stage saying that i have to register for college next week and i's like to know where i stand. All he said was he'd send me out a letter stating that i have applied for the Grant (fees). So as far as i'm concerned, im not paying a penny until I get a response back. I sent in my application around the middle of July, so what was stopping them form looking at it then.

Every year it's the same bloody thing. They get in a panic over sorting out Grants and fees. Well if they didnt leave it a week before 50,000 students are going back to college it wouldnt be sucha mess.

Stuxnet

ye might be waiting, i didn't get a penny off Clare co-co till last june ...10 months after i applied

irish_stevo815

iPwnage wrote: »

ye might be waiting, i didn't get a penny off Clare co-co till last june ...10 months after i applied

Thing is tho, i'm only applying for fees to be paid from the Grant, as i've also applied for Back to Education allowance (which is slow to get back too), so would the fees payment just go through as soon as it's accepted???

JD81

I got onto the VEC and got this 'We cannot give a time frame for completion of the grants process''. They also said just to tell my college on registration day that i have applied for the fees grant. So i guess unless it comes through before then thats what i'll be doing, at least i'm not on my own with this, was starting to worry that it was something i done wrong, i too sent mine in July

irish_stevo815

Just rang the clonmel welfare office which is dealing wit my BTEA application, and was told they are getting the letters ready and should be sent out in the next day or 2.

Chorcai

Last year when I applied for my fees to be payed, DIT were happy to wait for as long as it took.

My question now is I am returning to second year, do I have re-apply again for my fees to be payed or what ?

BTEA sorted.