What financial support is available for adults returning to education?
AONTAS Disclaimer: Please be aware that information on this website is subject to change. Qualification for a course or entitlement varies depending on individual circumstances. For further information or clarification, contact your local Adult Guidance Initiative, or your local Social Welfare Office.
For comprehensive information about grants and student finance issues, visit www.studentfinance.ie.
Third level Fees
The Free Fees Initiative in Ireland means that you will not pay fees for doing a degree full time. If you decide to do it part time you will have to pay fees.If you didn't complete your second level education, or don't have a third level qualification, and are on the live register then you may be eligible for the Back to Education Allowance.
If you return to third level on a full time basis, then you will be eligible for the Free Fees Initiative, but you will have to pay full fees if you take the same degree on a part time basis. The Millennium Fund formerly offered some financial support to students in the form of a small bursary; however Budget 2009 formerly disbanded this scheme. Adult students in difficult financial circumstances can apply for the Student Assistance Fund, through the Access Officer in the University.
The Student Contribution Fee (formerly the Student Registration Fee)
If you are paying full fees, you will also have to pay the Student Registration Fee, the cost of which varies depending on the Institution. If you are deemed eligible for the Back to Education Allowance, then the government may meet the costs of the Student Contribution Fee on your behalf. In order for this to happen, you must submit an application through the relevant Students Grant Scheme. For more information visit the Student Finance website.
The Back to Education Allowance
This is a second chance educational opportunities scheme for people on welfare payments who wish to participate in full-time education and who would not otherwise be able to do so. There are two options - a second level option for those who didn't complete their formal secondary education, and a third level option if you have not attended third level. The allowance is paid at a rate approximately equivalent to the social welfare payment you receive. In addition, if you qualify for the Back to Education Allowance, you will keep an entitlement to any secondary benefits you already have, for example, Christmas Bonus, Fuel Allowance, or Rent Supplement and Mortgage Interest Supplement under the Supplementary Allowance Scheme. In addition to your payment, you will be eligible for an annual 'Cost of Education' allowance of approximately €300 (reduced in Budget 2012). You can take a third level course at any university, college or third level institution provided it has been approved by the Department of Education and Science. The Department may also meet the costs of the Student Contribution Fee (formerly the Student Registration fee) payable to the third level institution at the beginning of the academic year. Since Budget 2010, if you receive the Back to Education Allowance, you will no longer qualify for a Student Maintenance Grant.
The Supplementary Budget in 2010 made some changes to the qualifying criteria for the Back to Education Allowance. To qualify for the second level option, the length of time you must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment is reduced from 6 months to 3 months. To qualify for the third level option, the length of time you must be getting a qualifying social welfare payment will be reduced from 12 months to 9 months, on the recommendation of a Jobs Facilitator. You may also be eligible for BTEA if you are an adult dependent.
General education and training allowances
As well as introducing some new measures to address rising unemployment, the government has reduced some payments in line with cuts to public expenditure. Allowances to participants in VTOS, Youthreach and Senior Traveller Training Centres were reduced in line with the appropriate social welfare rates or FÁS trainee allowances. If you are already in receipt of a student maintenance grant, you can expect to receive 5% less than in previous years.
The Budget also affects those on the Back to Education Allowance or PLC course participants on VTOS allowances, who will no longer be eligible for the Student Maintenance Grant. This change applies to students taking a new course - so if you are heading into your second, third or fourth year then this change will not affect you. However, if you applied for a course this year, or if you intended to move from a PLC or access course to a third level course then you will be affected. You must still complete the grant application form in order to have the cost of the Student Contribution Fee met on your behalf.
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