THE helpline has been buzzing with technical queries. We've had questions about subject requirements, combining Leaving Certs, getting exemptions from Irish, repeating a year and deferring a college place. This column contains a round up of some of the most frequently asked questions - complete with answers.
Many of the questions centred on the free fees initiative:
Fees are paid for undergraduate students in publicly funded third level colleges. However, the situation becomes a little more complicated if you have to repeat a year or want to change course.
Some courses are funded by the European Social Fund and others are funded by the State. You should check who is funding your particular course as slightly different rules apply.
If I fail my exams and have to repeat, am I still entitled to free fees for the repeat year?
Unfortunately, the answer to this one is No for all courses, except in the case of certified illness.
What happens to my free fees if I drop out in first year?
If you drop out of an undergraduate course (other than a course funded by the European Social Fund) before the halfway mark, January 31st, has passed, you need only pay half fees for your subsequent first year - in other words, you will get half the fees free.
However, if the January 31st deadline has passed, you will be liable for full fees for your next first year. Students on ESF funded courses may drop out during first year and re apply for a substantially different ESF funded course without affecting their free fees entitlement.
If I change my mind and want to apply to a different course, what's the fees situation?
You can only be funded for first year of one undergraduate programme - again with the exception of ESF funded courses. If you are an ESF funded student and you opt for a substantially different ESF funded course - whether you passed or failed first year or you dropped out - you are still entitled to free fees.
I'm hoping to progress from a certificate to a diploma and maybe a degree. Will my fees be paid for the full length of the course?
Fees will be paid in full for students progressing up the ladder from cert to diploma to degree. It doesn't matter if this is a four or a five year process.
For this year's CAO applicants, is the February 1st deadline final?
It is for all CAO applicants. For students who are applying for restricted application courses, such as art and design, music and architecture, they must also apply by February 1st. There is no late application facility as there are additional entrance requirements over and above the Leaving Cert. So, the February 1st deadline is final for these students.
But, students applying for courses other than those with restricted application, can apply (with a late application fee of £36) up to May 1st. No applications will be accepted by the CAO after May 1st.
What happens if I change my mind about the courses I have listed on my CAO form?
It is possible to change your mind. To avail of this, you must request a change of mind form from the CAO. You will not receive one automatically as in previous years. Changes of mind will be accepted up until July 1st, after you have finished the Leaving Cert.
How do I go about deferring my college place?
Each year a number of students receive an offer of a college place but don't want to take it up for a year.
If you receive an offer you want to defer, you must first write to the college admissions office stating why you are requesting a deferment. Attach part C of your CAO offer notice to the letter. The letter must arrive in the admissions office at least two days before the reply date shown on the offer notice. The college will let the student know whether he or she may defer. Not all faculties and colleges are keen on deferment.
In order to take up the deferred place, you must re apply through the CAO by February 1st of the following year placing the deferred course as your only preference on the application form.
I'm in first year at college but I want to change course. Can I reapply on the basis of last year's points?
Yes, you can re apply to the CAO on the basis of your Leaving Cert points. But, if you want to change to a similar course in the same college, you should first have a talk with your course director about the possibility of a direct transfer within the college.
If at all possible, you should sit your first year exams, as many colleges will want to see a record of achievement for first year.
I'm repeating my Leaving Cert - what if I get even fewer points this year than last year?
Don't worry. Your previous Leaving Cert is still valid. When you are filling out your CAO form you give the exam numbers for your previous Leaving Certs as well as this year's exam. The CAO will automatically use the points from the best of your Leaving Cert.
Can I add points over two Leaving Certs?
Points cannot be accumulated over a number of Leaving Certs. They will be calculated on the basis of one sitting only.
Can I accumulate special subject requirements over two or more Leaving Certs?
Yes, you can. For instance, if you needed a higher C in maths to secure a place on Cork RTC's chemical engineering degree programme you need only achieve this in one sitting of the Leaving Cert. Or if you need Irish for NUI colleges, once you have passed it once, that is sufficient. You do not have to repeat it.
If I fill out both the degree and the cert/diploma lists on the CAO form, how will this affect my chances of an offer?
Both lists operate independently so you may get two offers - one from the degree list and one from the cert/diploma list. But, remember you can only accept one of these offers. Filling out both lists maximises your chances of obtaining a college place.
How the bonus points work?
Bonus points for Leaving Cert higher level maths are awarded by the University of Limerick and UCD. There are no bonuses for the pass grades D1 to D3. A five point bonus is given for grade C3 and bonuses rise in a series of five point increments. This means that a student scoring an Al in a higher level paper will obtain the maximum bonus of 40 points.
This bonus may artificially inflate points for UCD and UL. For instance, the course registering the highest points in 1996 was for actuarial studies in UCD.
The cut off was a formidable 585 points. However, 40 of these points could well be due to candidates' scoring an Al in the Leaving Cert.
The Dublin Institute of Technology awards bonus points for maths and a number of science subjects for one course only - FT221, a degree in electrical/ electronic engineering.
Can you explain how I would qualify for an exemption from Irish for the purposes of NUI matriculation?
To take up a place in any NUI college UCC, UCD, Maynooth, UCG, RCSI and St Angela's College of Education - you must have passed Irish in the Leaving Cert. A grade D3 in an ordinary level paper will suffice. If you get a grade E on a higher level paper you may compensate in one of two ways: if you gets three C3s on higher level papers or if you get one grade B3 and one C3 on higher level papers this will satisfy the NUI.
There are a number of situations where you may be eligible for exemptions from these requirements:
. If you were born outside Ireland (32 counties) or if you received your primary level education up to age 11 outside the Republic (26 counties) you are eligible for an exemption;
. if you have lived outside Ireland for three years before becoming eligible for matriculation you may also apply for an exemption;
. a Department of Education exemption is also accepted by the NUI.
You must organise your own exemption from the NUI and forward it to the CAO. The NUI' may be contacted at 49, Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
Applications to the CAO through NITEC:
School leavers in certain schools in the Republic of Ireland may apply through the NITEC computer system at a reduced fee of £15. Check with your guidance; counsellor if your school is participating.