Student Grants FAQ

 

Due to the large volume of queries we receive , we are currently unable to answer each phone call/ email query individually. The FAQ below may be able to assist you. If this does not answer your query, please phone our offices at (01) 4529647 9.30am to 12.30pm Monday to Friday.

FAQ


How do I apply for a grant for the 2011/12 academic year?

You can now apply online or download an application form from www.studentfinance.ie

 

How many forms do I need to fill in?

One application form per student should be completed.

 

When is the closing date for application forms? 

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 5pm on 31/08/2011. Students are advised to submit their application form as soon as possible to ensure it is processed by the time the academic year has commenced. However, students are also advised not to submit incomplete applications as they will be returned to you and will result in a delay in processing your application. If you are unsure whether your application is incomplete or not, ensure you read the form carefully, consult the checklist which accompanies it, and you can ring us if you need additional clarification. Students applying online should be make sure to print off the declarations and checklist that is emailed to you once your application is submitted online and these need to be posted in with your supporting documentation.


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 they should apply to their local authority (county Council).

  • For students residing in the North of County Dublin, contact Fingal County Council at www.fingalcoco.ie
  • For students residing in the South and West of County Dublin, contact South Dublin County Council at www.sdcc.ie  Phone: (01) 4149000
  • For students residing in the South east area of County Dublin, contact Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council at www.dlrcoco.ie  Phone: (01) 2454777
For students attending an Institute of Technology or a Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) College they should apply to their local Vocational Education Committee. In this regard, students residing in the County Dublin region must apply to County Dublin VEC, Student Grants Section, 1 Tuansgate, Belgard Square East, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

I was on a grant last year. Do I have to reapply this year?

Students who were on a grant last year will be sent a renewal form (if they are in a course of more than 1 year duration) or a termination form (if they were in a 1 year course or the final year of their course). These forms will indicate what you need to do to apply again. If you have not received either form, please phone us immediately to request same. If you have moved house since you last applied, you may have neglected to inform us so let us know if your contact details have changed.
 


How can I contact the Student Grants Section ? 

Our telephone number is: (01) 4529647. Our fax number is 4515196. We are open from 9.30am to 12.30pm Monday to Friday.
Due to the high volume of calls we receive, we may not be able to take your call. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this. You can also email us at studentgrants@codubvec.ie
 

How will I know if my application has been received?

Every application we receive is entered up on our computer system and a text and/ or email notification is sent to you. PLEASE ENSURE YOU PUT THE CORRECT MOBILE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS ON YOUR FORM SO YOU RECEIVE THESE NOTIFICATIONS.
 
I want to find out the status of my grant application?

Due to the volume of work we are dealing with at the moment, it is not possible to give every applicant a status update. All forms which are submitted are registered on our computer system and are then reviewed to see if we need to request further documentation. If your application is incomplete we will write to you advising you of what we need you to submit. If your form is complete it will be assessed and we will write to you advising you of our decision. This process could take a number of weeks. Every application submitted to us has different circumstances and therefore every application takes varying amounts of time to process, in order to ensure a correct decision is made in relation to it.


What documentation do I need to submit with my grant application? 

Please note that the documents required may differ from applicant to applicant depending on individual circumstances. For full details of documentation required please view the notes booklet available from www.studentfinance.ie
Copies will not be accepted. All originals documents will be returned. The following documents are generally required (this list is not exhaustive).
  • Birth Certificate (Original long form )
  • P21 balancing statement for the previous tax year if parent(s) or student are PAYE workers.
  • P60  for the previous tax year tax year if parents(s) or student were working until the end of the tax year. In the absence of a P60 a statement of earnings from your employer is also acceptable.
  • Set of full accounts/ Form 11 and original Notice of Assessment for the previous tax year if parent(s) or student are self-employed.
  • Social Welfare Statement for the previous tax year if parent(s) or student were in receipt of a 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. If parents were employed for part of the year and unemployed for the remainder a combination of the relevant documents must be submitted.
  • Other financial documents: Please read the form carefully. Each section indicates what supporting documentation 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.

Is the grant means tested?

Yes. Details of the income limits are contained in each grant scheme (available to view on www.studentfinance.ie ). 

What income is taken for assessment?

Dependent candidates i.e. applicants under 23 on 1st January of year of entry to college are assessed for a grant under their parents/ guardians income.
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 parents from 1st October, 2010 you are assessed for a grant under your parents/ guardians income.
If you are an 'independent mature candidate' i.e. over 23 on 1st of January of year of entry to college and were not ordinarily resident with your parents from 1st October 2010 then you are assessed for a grant under your own and/or your spouse’s income.


What is the value of grant?

The value varies depending on income and how far you reside from the college. Detail of awards are contained in the Student Grant Scheme 2011 (available to view on www.studentfinance.ie ).

 

I am a mature student. Am I still entitled to the non-adj rate of maintenance?

No. From 2011/12 all students, including mature students, will be paid the adjacent rate of grant unless they reside 45Km from college. This includes all renewal students.


If I am not happy with my award or if I am refused a grant, can I appeal this decision?

Yes. In the first instance you must appeal to the VEC within 30 days of receipt of your decision letter.  Appeals must be made in writing, addressed to the manager of the Student Grants section – Ms. Suzanne Murphy. Your application will be reviewed and you will be contacted in writing with the result of this review. If you are not happy with the decision from this appeal, you can appeal to the Minister for Education and Skills not later than 30 days after receipt of the appeal decision from the VEC.
 
When will I get paid my grant?
 
Students on a PLC course are paid monthly, in arrears, into their bank account. Payment is based on attendance in the previous month. If you have not been paid and you think you should have been, it may be related to non-attendance. You will be notified of your payment via text message. PLEASE ADVISE US IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MOBILE NUMBER.
 
Students on a Level 8/9 course are paid 3 times a year  - October, Christmas and Easter. Students will be paid into their bank account upon receipt of a proof of registration form stamped by the college. You will be notified of your payment via text message. PLEASE ADVISE US IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MOBILE NUMBER.
 
Students on a Level 6 and 7 course in an Institute of technology are paid monthly into their bank account by the college.
 
If you are awarded your grant late, you may be due arrears for the months/ periods you missed. These arrears will be calculated for you by our staff.
 
 
How are my fees paid?
 
If you are awarded your fees to be paid, they are paid directly to the college upon receipt of an invoice from them.
 
PLEASE NOTE: FEES ARE NOT PAYABLE FOR PLC COURSES.
 
 
I am in receipt of BTEA/ VTOS. Am I entitled to a grant?
 

Students commencing a PLC course in 2011/12 and will; be in receipt of BTEA/ VTOS are no longer entitled to the Student Grant.

If you are attending a course in an Institute of Technology or University you can apply for a fees only grant.