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What's the difference between adjacent and non-adjacent rates?

The adjacent rate of grant is payable to students under the age of 23 in the year commecing their course. The non-adjacent rate is payable to students over the age of 23 in the year commencing college AND students under the age of 23 living more than 24Km from the college. The non-adjacent rate is higher than the adjacent rate.
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Do I have to repay back the maintenance grant after I had finished my course?

No - maintenance grants are not loans and therefore do not have to be reimbursed to the paying authority upon completion of the course
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I would like to Return to Learning but don’t know how or where to start.

A good place to start is your local Vocational Education Committee (VEC) as VECs are the main providers of adult education in Ireland.
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I’m not sure what course I’d like to take. Where can I access advice on this?

The VECs provide a free confidential Educational Guidance Service for Adults interested in returning to education. Information, advice and guidance on study and training options are provided.
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I am thinking of returning to education. What opportunities are available for adult learners?

There are several options open to adults who are thinking of returning to learning - courses funded by the VTOS and BTEI schemes, Adult Basic Education, Community Education, and also PLCs (Post Leaving Certificate) and other Further Education courses in Schools or Colleges of Further Education.
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What is VTOS?

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme is a special initiative designed to cater for the education and training needs of those who are unemployed and/or receiving a Social Welfare payment for at least six months. All our VTOS courses lead to certification and offer the Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate or FETAC accreditation or other accreditation recognized by the IT industry. Participants can also avail of a wide range of Post Leaving Certificate courses that are available throughout the county. More information on VTOS can be viewed at http://www.codubvec.ie/en/index.cfm/do/vtos
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What is BTEI?

The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) provides part-time courses for adults and young people who wish to combine return to learning with family, work and other commitments. Under the BTEI, County Dublin VEC offers a wide range of part-time, flexible and innovative education opportunities. Tuition is free for those with less than upper 2nd level education (Leaving Cert or equivalent). More information on BTEI can be viewed at http://www.codubvec.ie/en/index.cfm/do/btei
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What is Adult Basic Education?

In Adult Basic Education you can avail of one- to- one or group tuition in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. You can upgrade your reading / writing /spelling/ Maths / computer skills. Your local Adult Learning Centre will provide information on a range of classes from one-to-one tuition to Junior Cert English and Maths and Leaving Cert English.
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What is Community Education?

Community Education provides education outside of the formal education sector. It supports local voluntary groups who provide adult education programmes in their own communities. Courses cover a wide range of areas including Art & Craft, Childcare, Computers, Creative Writing, Digital Photography, Gardening, Health & Nutrition, History, Philosophy for Beginners, Yoga.
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What is a PLC (Post Leaving Cert Course)?

PLC courses take place in schools and colleges. The courses are full-time and last for one to two years. They offer a mixture of "hands-on" practical work, academic work and work experience. They are designed as a step towards skilled employment and, as such, they are closely linked to industry and its needs. They can also act as a stepping stone to third-level education. A wide range of disciplines is covered including business, electronics engineering, computing, catering, sport and leisure, theatre and stage, performance art, art craft and design, equestrian studies, multi-media studies, journalism, tourism, marketing, childcare and community care, hairdressing and beauty care, applied science, horticulture etc. The qualification you receive at the end of your training will depend on the type of course you have chosen. Many of the one-year PLC courses offer Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) accreditation at level 5, while other more advanced courses may offer FETAC level 6. Other qualifications such as City and Guilds are also available. It is important to check out the qualification attached to a particular course before you decide to enrol. School leavers should have finished their secondary education and taken the Leaving Certificate examination in order to be eligible for a PLC course. However, these requirements are waived for mature students and in fact most colleges welcome mature candidates as their life and work experiences add a richness to the student group You can search for a PLC course at the nearest centre to you at www.plcdublin.ie
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Do third –level colleges reserve places for Mature Students?

Yes, but the number of places reserved for Mature Students is limited so it is likely that you will still have to compete with your peers if you want to participate in full-time day programmes.
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Are there part-time options available at third level?

Yes there are other options available including part-time courses, modular programmes and distance learning.
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How long will it take to get a qualification?

If you choose to study on a part-time or modular basis, you can spread your studies over a number of years. This has the obvious drawback that it will take longer to complete than a full-time course, but it also has the advantage that it allows you to work at your own pace, gradually building credits towards your qualification.
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What is a Modular Programme?

A modular programme is made up of separate modules, which are self-contained units within a course. They can take place in regular classroom settings or can be part of a distance learning programme. Modular courses are available at degree level in some universities . You will be expected to attend between 5-6 hours of lectures, seminars and tutorials a week. Each module involves approximately 120 hours of tuition, which is equal to 30 credits. You will need 240 credits to gain your B.A. degree.
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What is Distance Learning?

The term “distance learning” covers a wide range of learning programmes that take place away from the physical presence of the classroom and the tutor. If you participate in a distance learning programme, it is likely that you will use a wide range of packaged materials and media throughout your course. These could include tapes, videos and the Internet. Some courses organise periodic classes where students come together for a day, a weekend or a week at a time, in order to study intensively.
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What are the entry requirements for third level courses?

If you are applying for a place as a mature student you will not be asked to meet the usual entry requirements. The colleges will take into account your educational background, work history, community involvement and other achievements and interests. This system is known as the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). In some colleges you may be asked to take an entrance exam.
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How do I apply to a third level course?

In order to apply for a third-level course as a mature student, you should first contact the college of your choice directly and send them an up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV). Some colleges require you to apply through the Central Applications Office and you must apply before 1st February of the year you start your course. You will be in competition with other mature students for a place on the course so make sure to include as much detail as possible regarding your educational background, work experience and other interests. You can apply online at www.cao.ie
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If I am unable to take up the course this year can I defer?

Yes if you receive an offer of a course place you may defer entry to the next academic year, subject to the programme being available in the next academic year.
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Will I have to pay fees to do my course?

Under the free fees initiative, the Department of Education and Science meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses (other than Third Level Trainee certificate and diploma courses in the Institutes of Technology where no tuition fees are payable). Such courses must generally be of at least two years duration, at approved colleges. These colleges include the publicly funded colleges and a number of non-publicly funded religious colleges which are approved for the purposes of the Higher Education Grants Scheme and which are part of the CAO system of entry. Eligible students are those who: (a) are first-time undergraduates, and (b) hold E.U. Nationality or Official Refugee Status (c) and have been ordinarily resident in an E.U. Member State for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved course. Students who are repeating a year at the same level are generally not eligible under the Initiative. The Free Fees Initiative does not cover the charge payable by students to the colleges towards the cost of registration, examination and student services. If you are in any doubt as to your eligibility for free fees contact the Student Support Unit, Department of Education and Science Tel: 0506 21363 or 873 4700 • www.education.ie • www.studentfinance.ie • www.hea.ie
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Will I qualify for tax relief on third level fees?

Tax relief at the standard rate of tax is available for tuition fees paid in respect of students attending part-time courses approved for tax relief. Tax relief is also available on approved full-time and part-time postgraduate study since the 2000/2001 academic year. Further information on tax relief is available from your local tax office.
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Do I qualify for a maintenance grant as a mature student?

Some mature students may be eligible for maintenance grants to help with costs while at college. You can view this information in the Student Grants section of this website at http://www.codubvec.ie/en/index.cfm/do/studentgrants
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What is the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)?

The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a scheme for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities who are getting certain payments from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The allowance can be paid to people who wish to do or take approved second or third level courses of education. BTEA is not an unemployment payment. Participants get a standard rate of payment which is not means tested. If you are signing for unemployment ‘credits’ only, you may qualify to take part in the scheme but you will not get a payment.
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Do I qualify for a BTEA if I already hold a third level undergraduate qualification?

The postgraduate option of the BTEA Scheme is only for people who wish to take: •A postgraduate course of study that leads to a Higher Diploma (H. Dip.) qualification or •A Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary teaching) Other postgraduate qualifications are not recognized for BTEA purposes
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How do I apply for a student grant?

Application forms are available to download on www.studentfinance.ie and by contacting the Student Grants Section, County Dublin Vocational Education Committee, 1 Tuansgate, Belgard Square East, Tallaght, Dublin 24. Tel. 4529600, email: studentgrants@codubvec.ie
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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 Council:

  • For student 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.

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/ guardians income and should apply for a grant to the VEC in whose administrative area their parents/ guardians 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 parents from 1st October, 2006  you are assessed for a grant under your parents/ guardians income and should apply for a grant to the VEC in whose administrative area your parents/ guardians reside in:
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 2006 then you should apply to the VEC in whose administrative area you were residing in on the 1st October, 2006. 

Please also note that if you are a second year student then the date of residency is the 1st October, 2005.
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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 County Dublin 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 County Dublin VEC for further funding.
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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)
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When is the closing date for application forms?

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 5 p.m. on the 31st August 2007. 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 on the year of entry to his/her course and has been residing independently of his/her parents on the 1st October of the previous year prior to the course.
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How can I contact the Student Grants Section?

Our telephone number is: 4529600. Our fax number is 4515196. Our email address is: studentgrants@codubvec.ie
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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 relevant Scheme of Information. Copies will not accepted. All originals documents will be returned. The following documents are generally required.
  • 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 where 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.

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Is the grant means tested?

Yes. Details of the income limits are contained in each grant scheme.
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What is the value of grant?

The value varies depending on income and on how far you reside from the college. Detail of awards are contained in the grant scheme.
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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 with which your application has been processed. Appeals must be made in writing, addressed to the manager of the Student Grants section. 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 outcome of this review, you can appeal further to the Department of Education and Science.
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