Going to college is difficult for many; but financially impossible for some. There are four government schemes available designed to help; assessing which one applies to you and your situation can be a confusing and frustrating process; here’s a breakdown of the basic points…

What are the different grants available?

1) Higher Education Grants Scheme (HEG) – applies to full-time undergraduate students who are seeking to begin a course of more than two years. Also seeks to assist postgrads of at least one year’s duration.

2) Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees (TLT) – provides for students who are applying for a two year National Certificate/ three year National Diploma in Institutes of Technology.

3) Vocational Education Committees Scholarship Scheme (VEC) – intended for those who have a National Cert/ National Dip (from TLT) and are going on to approved degree courses.

4) Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending European Social Fund-Aided Post Leaving Cert Courses (PLC) – for students applying for a place in PLC courses of at least one year.

Would I be eligible?

      There are four factors in deciding who will receive a grant:

1) Age
You must be at least 17 on January 1st of the following year; for PLC courses you must be at least 15 on the commencement of the course.

2) Residence
Your parents must have been living in the administration area of the County Council/Corporation/VEC from October 1st of the previous year.

3) Nationality
You must be a EU National/have Official Refugee Status/been granted Humanitarian Leave to remain in the State

4) Means
There is a ‘Means Test’ that must be used before a candidate can be seen as eligible; it involves evaluating the income available to you. Income must be under a certain level; this is called reckonable income. If you live with your parents it will be the sum of their income; if you live with a partner it will be the sum of yours and your partner’s income. If your parents are separated it will be the parent who you live with whose income shall be considered.

What if I was on another course first?
Previous college attendance can affect grant eligibility. You should contact your VEC/County Council/Corporation for more details.

What if I dropped out?
There is provision in the HEG and VEC schemes (not in PLC) for second chance students. There must have been a break of five years. TLT students can apply to a second 3rd level course providing that they had not finished more than one year of the first course.

How are grants paid?
1) HEG and VEC grants are paid in three equal instalments; a cheque is sent to your college.
2) TLT and PLC maintenance grants are paid in monthly instalments to you.

What if grant does not cover all my costs?
1) Student Assistance Fund: Further funding available through your college if financial difficulties arise during your course for anything from books to rent. (is not available in PLC colleges). You should apply to your college’s Access/Disability Officer.
2) Top-Up Grant (also known as Special Rates of Maintenance Grants): Available to those with a lower income threshold; for example if the reckonable income includes long term social welfare payments. You are assessed on own/partner’s income if living away from home or on parents if you are dependent on them. The total reckonable income must not exceed €16,748. Provision for this is made on the same application as an ordinary grant.
3) Millennium Partnership Fund for Disadvantage: Managed locally by community groups.
4) Area Development Management administrators fund: On behalf of Department of Education and Science (DES), contact (01) 2400700.

What if I’m refused a grant?
You may appeal to your local authority or VEC.

Will my grant cover college registration charges?
Your charge will be refunded up to a specified amount (PLC doesn’t cover this).

What if I want to study in the UK or EU?
You can be funded to do so; however there may be certain college exceptions in the UK.

What if I’m on an exchange?
Grant allows for study exchange programmes (eg ERASMUS), so it would stay active.

What is the Free Fees Initiative?
This is when the DES meets the tuition fees of eligible students. Courses must be at least two years in duration. It’s available to first time undergraduates. You must be a EU National/hold Official Refugee Status/been living in an EU Member State for at least three years. It doesn’t include students repeating year or registration, exam or student service charges.

For further information go to www.education.ie or call (01) 8896400.