COLLEGE CHOICE:THE CLOSING date for grant applications this year is August 31st. However, the awarding bodies have discretion to accept late applications, writes BRIAN MOONEY
The application forms and guidance notes for a student grant can be downloaded from www. studentfinance.ie and the details of the schemes can be accessed on this site.
Depending on the course you are pursuing, you may be eligible for a grant under one of the following schemes:
* the higher education grants scheme, which generally applies to university degree courses;
* third-level maintenance grants scheme for trainees, which applies to level 6 or level 7 courses in the institutes of technology;
the vocational education committee scholarship scheme, which generally applies to level 8 courses, where students have already pursued a level 7 course. It also applies to certain courses in Northern Ireland, and the maintenance grants scheme for students attending post- Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses.
The local authorities administer the higher education grants scheme.
The other three schemes are administered by the vocational education committees.
Grant applications should be made to these bodies as appropriate. To be eligible for a student grant, you must meet the essential condition relating to means.
There are, of course, other conditions, including those relating to age, residence, nationality and previous academic attainment.
When you apply for a grant, the income that is assessed must be at or below a specified amount (the “reckonable income” limit).
For the 2009-2010 academic year, the reckonable income limit is based on gross income for the tax-year 2008.
There are different thresholds depending on the size of the family.
The income thresholds for the maintenance grant ranges from €22,308 for the special rate of maintenance grant to €61,295 for a partial fee grant.
Where two or more children will be in college at the same time in 2009-2010, the reckonable income limit may be increased by an additional amount as specified in the scheme. To be eligible for the higher special rate of maintenance, the reckonable income limit must include one of the social welfare payments listed in the scheme.
In the current economic climate, it is particularly important to be aware of the “change of circumstances” provision in the student grant schemes.
The means test for a grant application is normally based on your family’s income in the last full financial year which, for the current year, is 2008.
However, if you or your family have had a change of circumstances relating to income which is likely to be permanent, then your eligibility for the grant may be assessed to reflect those permanent changed circumstances.
Where you qualify for any part of a grant, the full student service charge is paid, which for 2009 can be up to €1,500.
Grants are paid at either of two rates: the non-adjacent rate, where the grant holder’s normal residence is more than 24km from the college, and the adjacent rate, where the grant holder’s normal residence is 24km or less from the college attended.
In 2009, the highest non-adjacent standard rate of grant is €3,420. The highest adjacent rate of grant is €1,370. Lower rates of grant are payable, depending on the reckonable income.
Grant holders who satisfy certain conditions may qualify for the special rate of grant. The non-adjacent standard rate plus the special rate amount which for 2009 is €6,690. The adjacent standard rate plus the special rate amount for 2009 is €2,680.
There are a number of other financial supports available.
Details of these are also available at www.studentfinance.ie