mature student- independent status

Promethean

Hello guys,
Any help would be hugely appreciated,

I graduated from my undergraduate course in 2011, worked from November 2011 to Nov 2012 and now I have been accepted to a masters programme starting in September, I applied for a grant as an Independent student as I have not lived at home since 2006, I was informed that my application was cancelled because I was a dependent student starting my undergrad and so remain a dependent student. I would not be eligible for a grant based on my parents income from whom I will not be receiving financial assistance.

Is there anyway to prove that my circumstances have changed, and that I am no longer dependent on parents?

thanks

Annasopra

Promethean wrote: »

Hello guys,
Any help would be hugely appreciated,

I graduated from my undergraduate course in 2011, worked from November 2011 to Nov 2012 and now I have been accepted to a masters programme starting in September, I applied for a grant as an Independent student as I have not lived at home since 2006, I was informed that my application was cancelled because I was a dependent student starting my undergrad and so remain a dependent student. I would not be eligible for a grant based on my parents income from whom I will not be receiving financial assistance.

Is there anyway to prove that my circumstances have changed, and that I am no longer dependent on parents?

thanks

When did you start your undergraduate degree. What year and what age were you?

Promethean

Hey thanks for the reply, I started in 2006 and was 18, I am 25 now.

Promethean

Anyone have any ideas?

Annasopra

Unfortunately because of the grant rules you cannot change you status from dependent student to independent mature student unless there is a three year gap in your studies.

Promethean

ok well thanks a lot for your help anyway mango

Annasopra

Promethean wrote: »

ok well thanks a lot for your help anyway mango

Sorry I cant be of more help. These are the rules that they are using.

http://www.susi.ie/Susi/media/susi/SI-159-of-2013-Student-Grant-Scheme-2013_Final.pdf?ext=.pdf

Classes of applicant.
13. (1) For the purposes of this Scheme there shall be two classes of applicant
as follows—
(a) independent student; and
(b) dependent student.
(2) An applicant’s class is defined at their first point of entry to an approved
post leaving certificate course or an approved higher education course or at
their point of re-entry to such an approved course and will continue to apply
for the duration of their studies......

(5) “Re-entry”, for the purposes of this Scheme, means a mature student
entering an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years,
having previously attended an approved course.