Mature Student Grants Ireland
Irish students over the age of 23 are now able to obtain scholarships and grants from various organizations. These offer a small number of mature students the ability to participate in full-time day programmes. Full-time courses are beneficial as students are eligible for student grants. Full-time undergraduate students who do not qualify for a student grant may be able to apply for free fees. These grants, however, are not applicable to students studying part-time or enrolled in distance learning programs. The Department of Education and Skills has announced a new Student Grant Scheme that aids students with fees and maintenance during their period of study. The Mature Student Grants Ireland is available in most colleges in Ireland and many colleges in Northern Ireland, the UK and EU states.
Student Grant Scheme
Mature student grants are divided into two categories. These are maintenance grants and fee grants. Maintenance grants are allowances made towards the students’ cost of living. Students who have started their courses from the year 2010/2011 are not eligible to apply for the maintenance grants if they are on the Back to Education Allowance. The weekly allowance paid for unemployed students, single parents or physically handicapped students is referred to as the Back to Education Allowance. These payments are made by the Department of Social Protection. Furthermore, applicants on the VTOS allowance will also not be able to apply for the maintenance grant. The VTOS allowance is given to individuals who are 21 and over, unemployed and have been receiving social welfare payments for 6 months.
Applicants who qualify for a maintenance grant will also qualify for a fee grant. However, students will not be given the tuition fee grant if they are already qualified for the free tuition that is provided under the Free Fees Scheme. A fee grant covers all or part of the student contribution, costs of essential field trips and all or part of the student’s tuition fees.
Eligibility Criteria for a Student Grant
As with all other grants, the Mature Student Grants Ireland requires students to fulfil certain criteria. For example, students must fulfil conditions such as nationality and immigration status, residence and means. Applicants should also be taking Student Grant approved courses from an approved academic institution in Ireland. There are several essential criteria applicants need to fulfil, and they should be aware of these by visiting the respective official website. Applicants who qualify for a maintenance grant will automatically be eligible for a fee grant.
Changes to the Student Grant as per 2011 Budget
Several changes were implemented to the Mature Student Grants in the 2011 Budget. The changes implemented are a reduction in the overall rates of the grants, the qualifying distance criteria and the automatic entitlement of mature students to non-adjacent rate of grant. A reduction in the rates of the grant included a 4% reduction to all the grants which are applicable to all existing grants, as well as new grants. The qualifying distance of 24km was changed to 45km. All these changes are aimed at encouraging mature students to make use of this scheme to further their education.
Applying for Student Grants
Individuals applying for a student grant can do so through a local authority or a Vocational Education Committee in the area. The application form can also be downloaded online from the relevant website. Other relevant forms can also be downloaded from www.studentfinance.ie. Usually, every college has a mature students officer who will be able to guide the students as to the proper methods of applying for the Mature Student Grants Ireland.
With the aid received through this grant, mature students will be able to complete their higher education and bridge the gaps in their educational path. This can be extremely useful in changing career paths or pursuing life dreams that need educational competencies which a person failed to achieve previously.
Visit the official website: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/