County Louth VEC - Coiste Gairmoideachais Chontae Lú

VEC Scholarchip Scheme caters for students who hold a National Certificate or Ordinary Degree (gained from attendance at courses covered under the TLT Scheme) and are progressing to approved degree courses in Third Level Institutions, including Universities.  It also caters for students pursuing degrees in Institutes of Technology, students pursuing Higher National Diploma Courses in Northern Ireland, students progressing to approved degree courses in third-level institutions in other EU member states.  Post-graduate studies in Ireland are also covered.

TLT Scheme caters for students who are attanding two year National Certificate and three year Ordinary Degree courses, pursued in the Institutes of Technology.

Maintenance Grants Scheme for Post Leaving Certificate Courses.  This scheme caters for students who are entering an approved full-time Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) course for the first time in 2010/2011 or who are already attending approved PLC courses.  This grant does not cover Core VTOS courses.  This grant does not cover the cost of registration or examination fees.  It is a maintenance grant paid each month directly into the students' bank account. 

For further information, please contact County Louth VEC, Grants Office at 042-9334047 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Grant Form 2010 - 2011  Click Here
• Accompanying Notes  Click Here
• Final Course Acceptance - Form FA1 - Undergraduate or post-graduate course in Ireland.
• Final Course Acceptance - Form FA2 - Post-Leaving Certificate Courses in Ireland.
• Final Course Acceptance - Form SA1 - Undergraduate courses in EU Member States (excluding Ireland)
• Social Welfare Statement 2010
• Income Limits 2010/2011 

For further information regarding all aspects of finincial support to students please click on the following link:  www.studentfinance.ie

1. How do I apply for a grant for the 2010 / 2011 academic year?
2. To whom do I apply for the grant?
3. To whom do I apply for a grant if I want to continue my studies abroad
4. How many forms do I need to fill in?
5. When is the closing date for application forms?
6. What age do I need to be to get a grant?
7. What age do I need to be to be assessed as a Mature Student?
8. What type of Mature Students are there?
9. How Can I contact the Student Supports Services Section?
10. What documentation will I need to submit with my application?
11. Is the grant means tested?
12. What is the value of the grant?
13. Can I apply on line?

1. How do I apply for a grant for the 2010 / 2011 academic year?

Applications forms are available by contacting the Student Support Services Section, Co Louth Vocational Education Committee, Chapel Street, Dundalk, Co Louth, Tel. 042-9334047.

2. To whom do I apply for the grant?

If a student wishes to go directly from Leaving Certificate to a University in Ireland or the UK and undertake a Level 8 course, they should apply to Louth County Council, St. Alphonsus Road, Dundalk, Co Louth, Tel. 042-9335457. If a student wishes to attend an Institute of Technology (course at level 7 or below)or a Post leaving Certificate (PLC) College they should apply to Co. Louth VEC, Chapel Street, Dundalk, Tel. 042-9334047 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please note candidates other than a mature candidate i.e. applicants under 23 on 1st January of year of entry to college are assessed for a grant under their parents income and should apply for a grant to the VEC in whose administrative area their parents reside in.

If you are a 'mature candidate dependent on parents' i.e. over 23 on 1st January of year of entry to college but residing with parent at 1st October, 2010 then the above applies.

If you are an 'independent mature candidate' i.e. over 23 on 1st of January of year entry to college and were not ordinarily resident with your parents at 1st October 2009 then you should apply to the VEC in whose administrative area you were residing in at 1st October 2009.

3. To whom do I apply for a grant if I want to continue my studies abroad?

Students who have already being awarded a grant for an Ordinary Degree, or to pursue a PLC Course by Co. Louth Vocational Education Committee, and wish to pursue an add-on Honours Degree in a University or Third Level Institute in the UK should apply to the Co Louth Vocational Education Committee for further funding.

4. How many forms do I need to fill in?

One application form per student should be completed and sent to the relevant authority (see above). If you later decide to change College, for example from University to PLC then you should ask the relevant authority to transfer your file to the correct authority.

5. When is the closing date for application forms?

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 5 p.m. on 1st December, 2010.

6. What age do I need to be to get a grant?

A Candidate must be at least 17 years of age on the 1st January of the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course in a University or Institute of Technology or 16 years of age on commencement of a Post Leaving Certificate course.

7. What age do I need to be to be assessed as a Mature Student?

Mature students are students that are 23 years of age and over on the 1st January on the year of entry to a course.

8. What type of Mature Students are there?

Mature Dependent Student - This is a student who is at least 23 years of age on the 1st January on the year of entry to his/her course, and was residing with their parents on the 1st October of the year prior to the course.

Independent Mature Student - This is a student who is at least 23 years of age on the 1st January of the year of entry to his/her course and has been residing independently of his/her parent at the 1st October of the previous year prior to the course.

9. How can I contact the Student Support Services Section?

Co. Louth VEC
Chapel Street
Dundalk

Tel: 042-9334047
FAX: 042-9328521

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

10. What documentation will I need to submit with my application?

• Original documentation that should be submitted with your application: (Copies not accepted - original will be returned)
• Original long form birth certificate (not baptismal certificate)
• P60 & P21 for the tax year ended 31st December 2009 if parent(s) or student are PAYE workers.
• Set of accounts and original Notice of Assessment for the tax year ended 31st December 2009 if parent(s) were self employed.
• Social Welfare Statement for the year ended 31st December 2009 if parent(s) or student are in receipt of payment, showing name, dates and type of benefit including Child Dependent Allowance and / or Adult Dependent Allowance.
• Please note that income details must cover the full tax year ended 31st December 2009. If parents were employed for part of the year and unemployed for the remainder a combination of the relevant documents must be submitted.
• Final Course Acceptance form. Enclosed with your application form is a Final Acceptance Form known as (FA1/FA2/SA1) which must be completed only when you have accepted the course offered to you. In some cases additional information may be requested to support your application.

11. Is the grant means tested?

Yes, details of the income limits are contained in each grant scheme (2010/2011 details on our web site - see Scheme Details).

12. What is the value of the grant?

The value varies depending on income and on how far you reside from the college.

13. Can I apply on line?

No, not at present.