Higher Education Grants
1) What is a Higher Education Grant?
2) What is closing date for receipt of completed applications?
3) Can I submit application after closing date?
5) Can I submit application without all documentation?
6) Are grants available for a second degree course, if I already hold and undergraduate degree?
7) My parents are PAYE workers – what do I submit?
8) My parents are self employed – what do I submit?
9) Where do I need to be a Resident?
10) I live close to the college which I will be attending, do I still qualify for grant?
11) How long will it be before I amnotified whether or not I am eligible for grant?
12) How many different rates of grant are paid out?
13) What is a top-up grant and who qualifies?
14) Do I need to complete the application form again for the subsequent years of my course?
15) If I need to repeat a year, will I get a grant for that year?
16) Is my grant affected if I take a year out of college?
17) Who is considered a ‘mature student’?
18) I am not an Irish citizen – what criteria have I to meet in order to qualify for grant?
19) Have I to be a certain age to apply for a grant?
20) How are the grants paid out and how often?
21) How can I get my Registration refunded from the college?
22) If I earn any income during holidays will this be considered as reckonable income?
23) Can I view the most up to date Scheme and Application Form?
1) What is a Higher Education Grant:
A Higher Education Grant is a means-tested grant which is assessed on the total “reckonable income” to the applicants household. The reckonable income is the total income received to the household for the previous Calendar year. Accordingly, for applications for the forthcoming academic year 2008/2009, you will need to submit documentary evidence of income for the period 1st January, 2007 to 31st December, 2007. The table below summarises the reckonable income limits that were applicable under the 2007 Scheme. Please note that if you have more than one student attending college, these limits are increased.
There are 5 different grant rates:
(i) NA1 – Full maintenance and full fees.
(ii) NA2 - 75% maintenance and full fees.
(iii) NA3 - 50% maintenance and full fees.
(iv) NA4 – 25% maintenance and full fees.
(v) fees only
| No. of Dependent Children | NA1 | NA2 | NA3 | NA4 | Part Tuition Fees (50%) only* |
| Less than 4 | €38,675 | €41,085 | €43,500 | €45,920 | €48,335 |
| 4-7 | €42,490 | €45,150 | €47,805 | €50,465 | €53,120 |
| 8 or more | €46,140 | €49,025 | €51,905 | €54,785 | €57,665 |
*In the 2007/08 academic year where 2 or more children (or the candidate's parent) are pursuing a course of study listed below the reckonable income limits may be increased by €4,685 where there are 2 such children, €9,370 where there are 3 such children and so on, by increments of €4,685.
2) What is the closing date for receipt of completed applications?
Applications must be received by 31st August, 2008.
3) Can I submit an application after the closing date?
Yes, but in order to ensure the timely processing of your application, please ensure that all supporting documentation accompanies your application. A full list of supporting documentation that may be required is contained on the last page of the application form..
4) What courses are eligible?
A full time undergraduate course of not less than two year’s duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in one of the approved institutions listed in Appendix I (A) and I (B) of the attached scheme.
5) Can I submit an application without all the documentation?
Yes – but your application will only be assessed on receipt of all the necessary supporting documentation.
6) Are grants available for a second degree course, if I already hold an undergraduate degree?
No grants are not paid to candidates who already hold an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree.
7)My parents are PAYE workers – what do I submit?
P.60s for all income earners and a P21 for year ending 31st December 2007. Please note that there may be a backlog of applications for P21s in the Revenue Commissioners during the months of July and August so it would be prudent of applicants to request same as soon as possible.
8) My parents are self employed – what do I submit?
A set of financial accounts for the previous tax year which have been prepared by an Accountant and a corresponding Notice of Assessment prepared by Revenue Commissioners.
9) Where do I need to be a Resident?
Parents/Guardians or applicants (if you are an independent mature candidate), must have been ordinarily resident in the administrative area of the local authority from 1st October in the year prior to submitting an application for a grant. The local authority has discretion to waive this requirement in exceptional circumstances..
10) I live close to the college which I will be attending, do I still qualify for a grant?
Grants are paid at two rates:
(i) adjacent rate i.e. if you live more than 15 miles from the college - €3420 and
(ii) non adjacent rate i.e. if you live less than 15 miles from the college - €1370 (2007-08 figures)
11) How long will it be before I am notified whether or not I am eligible for a grant?
If all supporting documentation has been submitted with your application form, you should be notified before the 30th of September 2008.
12) How many different rates of grant are paid out?
There are 5 different grant rates:
(i) NA1 – Full maintenance and full fees.
(ii) NA2 - 75% maintenance and full fees.
(iii) NA3 - 50% maintenance and full fees.
(iv) NA4 – 25% maintenance and full fees.
(v) fees only.
13) What is a top-up grant and who qualifies?
Any person whose income is €18,055 or under (2007-2008 figures) and who is in receipt of any payment listed in Appendix III of the Scheme
14) Do I need to complete the application form again for the subsequent years of my course?
No. Notification will be issued from the Council in June of each year requesting exam results, income details etc.
15) If I need to repeat a year, will I get a grant for that year?
No – grants are not paid for repeat years.
16) Is my grant affected if I take a year out of college?
If you take a year out you must be re-assessed to ensure you are eligible again.
17) Who is considered a ‘mature student’?
a. “Mature Candidate” - A student who is at least 23 years of age on the 1st January of the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course
b. “Mature Candidate dependent on parents” – means a mature student who was ordinarily resident with his/her parents from 1st October 2007.
c. “Independent Mature” – means a mature candidate who was not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from 1st October 2007.
18) I am not an Irish citizen – what criteria have I to meet in order to qualify for a rant?
Applicants must satisfy ONE of the following:
i. hold E.U. Nationality
ii. be an Irish citizen
iii. have Official Refugee Status
iv. Have been granted Humanitarian Leave to remain in the State.
19) Have I to be a certain age to apply for a grant?
Yes, at least 17 years of age on 1st January 2009
20) How are the grants paid out and how often?
Maintenance grants are paid to the college in three instalments – one each term
21) How can I get my Registration Fees refunded from the college?
Once the College that you are attending has been paid by the Council – the Fees Office in the College will refund payment of fees.
22) If I earn any income during holidays will this be considered as reckonable income?
A candidate can earn €3809 (2007-2008 figures) and this will not be included as reckonable income.
23) Can I view the most up to date Scheme and Application Form?
Yes, the 2007 Scheme and application form is available from the Corporate Affairs Section of the website.
