*** 2011/2012 student grant form is NOW available!! ***

PadraicEgan

The student grant form is out now. You can download it now from www.studentfinance.ie or pick it up from your local county council or VEC. Be sure to have all of your documents ready before you send it off!

Sparkie93

can you tick more than one box for what type of course you want to do ?

RoyalMarine

ive stickied this thread and re-named it to help people notice it.

ted.

just looked over the form.. im in trouble, i dont have a CAO number.. problem??

They're taking online applications now? Wow, that's some development. Of course, it should have happened years ago but it's still great.

RoyalMarine

they took online apps for last year too, but only 6 vec's offered the ability.

this year, its excellent. nearly all of them have the online ability.

bobdole968

is the galway vec missing online or do i have to send it in the post

RoyalMarine

if its not listed as available for online application, then you need to apply via the downloadable form, or call into the local vec and pick up one of the forms.

VeronicaMoon

Does the title of 'Reckonable income' mean you have to be exact in your parents/guardians gross 2010 income? Or do they look into it exactly if they think you deserve one, because it is very difficult for me to get an exact figure???

RoyalMarine

they will need proof of income, so yeah you need to be accurate.

VeronicaMoon

RoyalMarine wrote: »

they will need proof of income, so yeah you need to be accurate.

I have what I can make out from profit and loss accounts given to me by the accountant but I am not totally 100% sure if what I have calculated is correct but it wouldnt be far off. I can still show them the accounts but they might get a slightly different figure :S

LilMissCiara

Silly question but I have mine filled out in blue pen.. The thing says black (saw afterwards) do I need to fill out a new one?

RoyalMarine

no. dont worry about the blue pen.

JessicaClare

It says you should apply to your Vocational Education Committee for PLCs or your local authority if you're going to a university but I don't know yet, if I don't get my points for my course in NCI i'll be doing a PLC. Does this mean i apply to both then send my course acceptance form to whatever one I choose?

RoyalMarine

yeah it would probably suit your best interest to apply to both. just in case.

PadraicEgan

RoyalMarine wrote: »

ive stickied this thread and re-named it to help people notice it.

ok thanks...what does it mean though? :P

RoyalMarine

i changed the name so people can notice it easier, and sticky threads stay on top above all other threads.

threein99

Anyone know what documents I can use to prove I was in the countries 3 of the last 5 years ? I've been in the college the last year and was unemployed the previous 2 years so I dont have any payslips. Some of the questions they ask are head wrecking

RoyalMarine

utility bills are the most common and a rent book

saintNsinnerr

dear Mod,
just a quick question to U ,as U are most experienced here.
i got grant last year , and I will be doing my last year starting from Sept`11 , do I have to fill in same BIG application form ,or is it different for the folks who got grant in teh first/second year as well?
thanks.
saint,

Quibbler

I'm away at the moment and so don't have time to go through all of the forms and guidelines, but can anyone tell me if any of the rules have changed this year, or is it the same as last year?
If you could qualify last year then will you qualify this year? I was just a bit worried they might change the rules like they did with the 3 year rule last year!

tasker

my daughter has applied to a mix of uni's and I.T.'s, does this mean we have to apply for grants from both VEC and County council? This strikes me as potentially fraudulent....also, they can't both have the original documentation (further complicated by the fact that an application is also being made for her twin) Help!

RoyalMarine

saintNsinnerr wrote: »

dear Mod,
just a quick question to U ,as U are most experienced here.
i got grant last year , and I will be doing my last year starting from Sept`11 , do I have to fill in same BIG application form ,or is it different for the folks who got grant in teh first/second year as well?
thanks.
saint,

no, you dont need to fill out the entire application. there is a repeat application form available from your local VEC, which just involves you providing your recent results and a form saying you are continuing your studies in september this year.

Noobsaibot21

Hi All,

Can anybody advise me on what documents I will need for the following questions:

• A5 - Can I presume this is a Birth Cert?
• B2 - Presume this is a copy of my passport.
• B4 - I'm living at home and have no rent or utility bills. How else would I prove I have been here?
• F1 - Can I assume this is a P45 or P60?
• F3 - Parents got a state pension. What docs would I need to send?

The form gives a blue apostrophe beside certain questions and refers to "guidance notes" which I simply can't find anywhere. Does anyone have a link?
Also, this may sound stupid but question F16..... What does reckonable mean? If I remove that word, the question is quite straight forward. Does that word change the meaning of the question in any way? Again, I might just be reading too much into it but I just don't want them posting it all back if it's wrong.

Thanks in advance,
Noobsaibot21

BeanbagBallbag

Noobsaibot21 wrote: »

Hi All,

Can anybody advise me on what documents I will need for the following questions:

• A5 - Can I presume this is a Birth Cert?
• B2 - Presume this is a copy of my passport.
• B4 - I'm living at home and have no rent or utility bills. How else would I prove I have been here?
• F1 - Can I assume this is a P45 or P60?
• F3 - Parents got a state pension. What docs would I need to send?

The form gives a blue apostrophe beside certain questions and refers to "guidance notes" which I simply can't find anywhere. Does anyone have a link?
Also, this may sound stupid but question F16..... What does reckonable mean? If I remove that word, the question is quite straight forward. Does that word change the meaning of the question in any way? Again, I might just be reading too much into it but I just don't want them posting it all back if it's wrong.

Thanks in advance,
Noobsaibot21

http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/Guidance%20Notes.pdf

This will help you with the forms. For B4, you can get a letter from your school saying you have attended for X years, although your school is probably closed at this stage.

Noobsaibot21

Cheers mate. Could all be in vain though as it's difficult to tell if DBS applicants are eligible for student grants (DBS says yes, other sources say no, studentfinance doesn't say clearly at all?)

Funny how the act of applying for colleges and grants is a course in itself.

scoopmine

Can you reapply online or do you have to pick up a form at the grant office?

Sparkie93

for the birth cert can you send a photocopy instead of the original ?

Annasopra

Sparkie93 wrote: »

for the birth cert can you send a photocopy instead of the original ?

No - they insist on original

Annasopra

Noobsaibot21 wrote: »

Cheers mate. Could all be in vain though as it's difficult to tell if DBS applicants are eligible for student grants (DBS says yes, other sources say no, studentfinance doesn't say clearly at all?)

Funny how the act of applying for colleges and grants is a course in itself.

DBS isn't on the list of approved institutions

http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/Student%20Support%20Regulations%202011.pdf

tasker

tasker wrote: »

my daughter has applied to a mix of uni's and I.T.'s, does this mean we have to apply for grants from both VEC and County council? This strikes me as potentially fraudulent....also, they can't both have the original documentation (further complicated by the fact that an application is also being made for her twin) Help!

for anyone else out there with same situation,I just received this reply from Kildare C.C. "You can just apply to Kildare County Council, and if the course your daughter is pursuing is covered by the VEC and not us then we will forward her application to them for processing." Seems sensible

Crunchy Friends

Quibbler wrote: »

I'm away at the moment and so don't have time to go through all of the forms and guidelines, but can anyone tell me if any of the rules have changed this year, or is it the same as last year?
If you could qualify last year then will you qualify this year? I was just a bit worried they might change the rules like they did with the 3 year rule last year!

Well there are 2 big changes -
1. Mature students are no longer automatically entitled to the non-adjacent rate.
2. Non-adjacent rate distance has been hiked up. You used to be eligible for the non adjacent rate if your home was further than 23km from the college. You now have to live further than 45km from the college to be eligible for the non adjacent rate.

Don't know if either of these apply to you. If they don't, and you qualified last year, and your parents pay hasn't gone up since then, you should be okay.

Crunchy Friends

tasker wrote: »

for anyone else out there with same situation,I just received this reply from Kildare C.C. "You can just apply to Kildare County Council, and if the course your daughter is pursuing is covered by the VEC and not us then we will forward her application to them for processing." Seems sensible

I've also heard this for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown CC & Dun Laoghaire VEC.

useded

Probably a silly question but..

I'm applying for masters and my last (third year) was the first time I got the grant. Do I have to do the full application or what? It's a bloody nightmare trying to get these forms when I'm working during the weekdays =/

Perplexed22

useded wrote: »

Probably a silly question but..

I'm applying for masters and my last (third year) was the first time I got the grant. Do I have to do the full application or what? It's a bloody nightmare trying to get these forms when I'm working during the weekdays =/

You do have to reapply as you're changing your course. You should be able to make an online application at www.studentfinance.ie (if your county council or VEC is accepts online applications) or download the form if they don't.

MessiahMan

Useded I'm in the exact same situation as you. I contacted them and as Peplexed22 said you have to reapply because we are changing our course which is such a pain!!Also has anyone had any experience with the online grant registration. Do you think this would be reviewed quicker (as in sooner) than the hardcopy or are they treated the same?

Sly Marbo

Hi, I am just wondering if you can give me some advice.

I will be starting a PhD in september and will be recieving IRCSET funding for it, I was told that I should be able to get a grant as well but have never recieved one before (was out of the country for undergrad, I have fulfilled the 3 years in Ireland rule now however).

My main question is which VEC do I apply to? I am from Galway but will be doing the PhD in Limerick and since I will have funding do I count as an independant student?

august12

Sly Marbo wrote: »

Hi, I am just wondering if you can give me some advice.

I will be starting a PhD in september and will be recieving IRCSET funding for it, I was told that I should be able to get a grant as well but have never recieved one before (was out of the country for undergrad, I have fulfilled the 3 years in Ireland rule now however).

My main question is which VEC do I apply to? I am from Galway but will be doing the PhD in Limerick and since I will have funding do I count as an independant student?

If you never had a grant, then send it into Galway County or City Council for PHd level. You need to submit details of IRCSET funding giving a breakdown ie. how much towards fees and maintenance you are getting and also the total amount received per year. To apply as Independent Mature, you need to be over 23 as at 1st January of year of entry to course and you need to have a break of 3 years since completing your undergrad whether or not you applied for grant.
If you meet these conditions, you need to prove Independent living from October 1st last year by submitting utility bills with your name and address listed. A number of bills,documents right up to now will need to be provided.
You will need to provide documents confirming you were in the country for 3 of last 5 years i.e. from Sept, 2006 to Sept. 2011. If you can't prove Independent living, then you will be assessed under your parents income and your own for 2010. Course has to be fulltime.

Léan

I sent away my grant stuff about two weeks ago, they came back to me today saying it was incomplete until i provide proof of leaving certificate and junior certificate and proof of CAO/course acceptance.

What are they looking for as proof for Leaving and Junior certificate? I have no idea where my results are, and I have no idea what else would prove i've done them. My secondary school has also since closed down so I can't go in and ask them

I also have no idea about the CAO thing, again I don't know where my CAO info is. This is my first time applying for a grant and it's to fund a masters so there's no CAO being used. I originally sent them in my PAC info stamped by the university proving acceptance of the course but apparently they want more...

Any help appreciated.

Annasopra

Léan wrote: »

I sent away my grant stuff about two weeks ago, they came back to me today saying it was incomplete until i provide proof of leaving certificate and junior certificate and proof of CAO/course acceptance.

What are they looking for as proof for Leaving and Junior certificate? I have no idea where my results are, and I have no idea what else would prove i've done them. My secondary school has also since closed down so I can't go in and ask them

I also have no idea about the CAO thing, again I don't know where my CAO info is. This is my first time applying for a grant and it's to fund a masters so there's no CAO being used. I originally sent them in my PAC info stamped by the university proving acceptance of the course but apparently they want more...

Any help appreciated.

Why do they need them? What are they documentary evidence of? Presumably they want these as documentary evidence for proof of residence of 3 of the last 5 years? If that is the case then tell them you can provide other items as per their own rules
• social welfare statements
• utility bills;
• registration with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB)

Documentary evidence for residency for 3 out of the last 5 years
This may be one or more of the following:
• evidence that the applicant sat the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate exams in
Ireland, or equivalent school exams in the EU, EEA or Switzerland;
• a letter from a school principal in Ireland, the EU, EEA or Switzerland confirming the
applicant’s attendance at a school;
• social welfare statements or equivalents from the EU, EEA or Switzerland;
• utility bills;
• registration with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), or equivalent from
the EU, EEA or Switzerland;
• if the applicant is a non-EEA national, a letter from the Department of Justice and
Equality confirming the period of lawful presence in Ireland. Periods of unlawful
presence cannot be considered

Zipppy

Anyone know when the 2012/2013 form will be available ?

Annasopra

Zipppy wrote: »

Anyone know when the 2012/2013 form will be available ?

it's usually around may or June possibly even July

Zipppy

mango salsa wrote: »

it's usually around may or June possibly even July

Thanks ..

Does that mean students cant apply till then?


Seems kinda late ....

Annasopra

Zipppy wrote: »

Thanks ..

Does that mean students cant apply till then?


Seems kinda late ....

Yes

They won't take applications until then

RovinPirate

Hi, I'm a first year in college, I will be continuing on with the course I am in (hopefully) I am in receipt of the full grant (special rate). Financial situation has not changed, if anything gotten worse.

• Do I need to apply again for next year's grant?
• Will I definatly still get the special rate?
• If I do need to apply for next years grant, when should I do that?
• What paperwork is needed? Is it as horrible as the original application ?

I only ask because it took a month to originally sort out my grant. It's really the only money I have coming in other than a small allowance of my father I already have a Loan out to pay for accommodation.

Annasopra

RovinPirate wrote: »

Hi, I'm a first year in college, I will be continuing on with the course I am in (hopefully) I am in receipt of the full grant (special rate). Financial situation has not changed, if anything gotten worse.

• Do I need to apply again for next year's grant?
• Will I definatly still get the special rate?
• If I do need to apply for next years grant, when should I do that?
• What paperwork is needed? Is it as horrible as the original application ?

I only ask because it took a month to originally sort out my grant. It's really the only money I have coming in other than a small allowance of my father I already have a Loan out to pay for accommodation.

1. The council or VEC will send a renewal form
2. Possibly/Possibly not
3. When you get the renewal form
4. Not sure what paperwork but no the form should be much easier

ByJove

Anyone hear anything about grant 2 being paid?

Last year they told me DIT delayed significantly the list of students still in sem. 2 so we got paid the last day or two of Feb in 2011. Better not again this year...so many other students have been paid already....

http://www.ucd.ie/registry/adminservices/fees/maintenance_cheques.htm

runswithascript

Can anyone of you tell me does this grant negate your eligibility for BTEA, and if so what choose the grant instead?

ByJove

That's a British grant, am I right? If so, last time I checked, you could get both without a problem. I'd check that though, everything's changing now...

runswithascript

ByJove wrote: »

That's a British grant, am I right? If so, last time I checked, you could get both without a problem. I'd check that though, everything's changing now...

Back to Education Allowance is Irish, and it's for people who have been receiving an unemployment benefit prior to beginning the course.

Annasopra

dusf wrote: »

Can anyone of you tell me does this grant negate your eligibility for BTEA, and if so what choose the grant instead?

You cannot get both so yes I would assume one invalidates the other

You can get BTEA and a grant that pays the student contribution fee only