Thursday, November 4, 2021

Know your rights: Applying for a student grant

Know your rights: Applying for a student grant

Question

I just started college. Can I still apply for a student grant?

Answer

You can apply for a student grant if you are taking an approved course and meet the income and residency criteria.

These include:

§  Your family’s means must be under the specified threshold for the previous tax year (2020). If you or your family have had a change of circumstances during the current tax year, your changed circumstances may be taken into account.

§  You must have been ordinarily resident in Ireland for three of the last five years.

§  You must be an Irish, UK, EU, EEA or Swiss national. You may also be considered for a grant if you have refugee status, subsidiary protection or leave to remain in Ireland.

 

Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) awards student grants.

You can use SUSI’s eligibility reckoner to see whether you meet the criteria for student grant funding.

To apply for a student grant, you complete an application form online.

Applications to SUSI close at midnight on 4 November 2021.

If you are refused a grant or are approved a grant at a rate that you don’t think applies to your situation, you can appeal in writing to SUSI within 30 days of getting your decision.

If you are living in direct provision or are in the international protection system, you can apply for support under the Student Support Scheme for Asylum Seekers

You can read more about the Student Grant Scheme on citizensinformation.ie.

You can also get information and advice from:

 

·        The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm

·        Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer

 

You can continue to contact your local centre by email or phone using the details in the Find a Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.

 

 

Know Your Rights has been compiled by South Connacht Citizens Information Service CLG, which provides a free and confidential service to the public.

Tel: 0818 07 6330 Address: Boyle CIC, Elphin Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

Know your rights: Non-Geographic Numbers

Know your rights: Non-Geographic Numbers

Question

What are non-geographic numbers?

Answer

A non-geographic number (NGN) is any number beginning with 1800, 1850, 1890, 0818 or 076.

NGNs are used by Irish businesses, charities and other organisations to deliver services like helplines. Calls to 1800 numbers are free. Calls to 1850, 1890, 0818 and 076 numbers cost the same as calling a landline, and are included in ‘call bundles’ that include landline calls. This means that, when you call an NGN, it is either deducted from your bundle, or charged on a per-minute basis.

What is changing?

From 1 January 2022, there will only be 2 NGN numbers: 1800 and 0818. Organisations using 1850, 1890 or 076 numbers are now updating their contact details.

Why are the changes happening?

Many people avoid calling 1850, 1890 and 076 numbers because they think they are confusing and expensive. ComReg is reducing the number of NGNs to simplify NGNs for consumers.

From January 2022, there will be just 2 NGNs – 1800 (Freephone) and 0818 (Standard rate). This makes call costs easier to understand.

What happens if I call an 1850, 1890 or 076 number in 2022?

From 1 January 2022, all 1850, 1890 and 076 numbers will be withdrawn from service and you will not be able to use them. You can check an organisation’s website and social media channels for their new contact details.

You can also get information and advice from:

 

·        The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

·        Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer

 

You can contact your local centre by email or phone using the details in the Find a Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.

 

Know Your Rights has been compiled by South Connacht Citizens Information Service CLG, which provides a free and confidential service to the public.

Tel: 0818 07 6330 Address: Boyle CIC, Elphin Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon