Summary of changes to student grant as a result of Budget 2011:
Three measures were announced in Budget 2011 relating to the student grant schemes:
Reduction in overall rates of grant
A reduction of 4% is to be applied to the rates of all student grants.
This reduction applies to all existing grant holders and to new grant holders alike.
The implementation date is January 2011.
Qualifying distance criterion for non-adjacent rate of grant
The qualifying distance criterion for entitlement to the higher non-adjacent rate of grant (distance from home to the higher education Institution) has been changed from 15 miles (24 kilometres) to 45 kilometres.
This measure applies to all students
The implementation date is the start of the 2011-2012 academic year.
Automatic entitlement of mature students to non-adjacent rate of grant.
The automatic entitlement of mature students to the higher non-adjacent rateof payment has been removed.
The implementation date is the start of the 2011-2012.
- How do I apply for a grant for the 2011 / 2012 academic year?
- To whom do I apply for the grant?
- To whom do I apply for a grant if I want to continue my studies abroad
- How many forms do I need to fill in?
- When is the closing date for application forms?
- What age do I need to be to get a grant?
- What age do I need to be to be assessed as a Mature Student?
- What type of Mature Students are there?
- How Can I contact the Student Supports Services Section?
- What documentation will I need to submit with my application?
- Is the grant means tested?
- What is the value of the grant?
- Can I apply on line?
1. How do I apply for a grant for the 2011 / 2012 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:
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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 2010 then you should apply to the VEC in whose administrative area you were residing in at 1st October 2010.
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, 2011.
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:
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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 2010 if parent(s) or student are PAYE workers.
- Set of accounts and original Notice of Assessment for the tax year ended 31st December 2010 if parent(s) were self employed.
- Social Welfare Statement for the year ended 31st December 2010 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 2010. 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 (2011/2012 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.
3RD LEVEL GRANTS
