This article is from page 26 of the 2008-08-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 26 JPG
EVER feel you’re not making the most of your talents, stuck in a rut at home or at work or could achieve much more if only you had the op- portunity? Then the Higher Educa- tion Grant Scheme could give you the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, to re-train, qualify or pursue the career you’ve always wanted. Even if you have found the course of your dreams but are worried about money the scheme may be able to help.
“In a recent case a man went into Shannon Citizens Information Cen- tre (CIC) who was unhappy at work. He’d spent years working as an elec-
trician in a specialist company but felt frustrated and limited career- wise. His hobby and real interest was photography but he felt it was too late (and too expensive!) to re- turn to education. The information officer suggested he might consider a photography qualification (for ex- ample, a degree) and explained the range of educational grants available to him. Now in his second year at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art & Design, the former electrician is doing extremely well. Although his income has changed, he receives a Higher Education Grant to help with the costs of returning to education,” said Paul Woulfe, Manger with the
Citizens information Service in the
eee ANe The Higher Education Grants Scheme provides means-tested
grants to eligible students on ap- proved courses. Application forms are available from your local author- ity or VEC. If you are already on a social welfare payment, the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) al- lows you to study at second and third level without losing your benefits. You must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the BTEA.
A candidate is deemed a mature candidate for the purpose of a grant if he is at least 23 years on | Janu- ary of the year of entry or re-entry
to an approved course of third-level education in an approved institution. Eligibility is normally calculated by comparing the reckonable income of the candidate in the year ending December 31 of the year in which he enters the course with the means test tables of the scheme in that year. In the case of mature students who are deemed dependent on their parents, reckonable income of their parents must be assessed. A mature student is deemed dependent on his parents if he ordinarily resides at home with his parents.
In the case of our electrician, his income entitled him to 75 per cent of the maintenance grant (part-mainte-
nance and full fees) as his earning in 2007 was below €42,235. The grant is worth ©2,565 per year to him. Students who qualify for grant as- sistance also have the student service charge paid on their behalf.
The non-adjacent rate of main- tenance grant shall be payable to all mature candidates who qualify, having been assessed either as a de- pendent or independent mature can- didate.
Make sure you apply early and study all the documentation, seeking assistance if necessary advises the Citizens Information Service.
The deadline for applying for the grant is August 29.