Question
I’m unemployed and
planning to go to college. What funding is available for this?
Answer
Most
undergraduate students attending publicly funded third-level courses for the
first time will qualify for the Free Fees Initiative. You must meet criteria as regards
residence, nationality and immigration status, as well as course requirements.
If you qualify for free fees, you do not have to pay tuition fees. In addition
to fees, there is a separate student contribution, which you pay to the
college.
The
student grant is the main financial support for students. The
grant can cover all or part of your fees (if they are not already covered) and
the student contribution and it can also provide some maintenance. To qualify
for a grant, you and your course must meet certain criteria and you must pass a
means test.
The
Back to Education Allowance is available to people
who have been getting certain social welfare payments for a set period of time
before starting their course. You cannot get a Back to Education Allowance and
the maintenance portion of a student grant at the same time. If you are
eligible for both, you should find out which would be of more benefit to you.
The
Free Fees Initiative, the student grant and the Back to Education Allowance all
have rules regarding progression from previous studies. However, there are
exceptions. If you intend to start a course at a level you have studied before,
you should check whether the rules on progression apply to your situation.
If
you do not qualify for the Free Fees Initiative or the student grant, you
should find out whether Springboard can help you to return to education. Springboard
provides free higher education courses related to specific areas in which there
are employment opportunities.
If
you have to pay tuition fees and a student contribution, you may qualify for tax relief. You can find out more about sources of funding,
including the Student Assistance Fund for students
experiencing financial hardship, on studentfinance.ie.
Further information is available from the Citizens
Information Service below.
Know Your Rights has been compiled by Boyle
Citizens Information Centre which provides a free and confidential service
to the public. Tel: 0761 07 6330
Address:
Elphin Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Information
is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens
Information Phone Service - 0761 07 4000
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