Frequently Asked Questions on Grants

Frequently Asked Questions on Grants

1. How do I apply for a grant for the 2011/2012 academic year?
2. To whom do I apply for the grant?
3. To whom do I apply for a grant if I want to continue my studies abroad?
4. How many forms do I need to fill in?
5. When is the closing date for application forms?
6. What age do I need to be to be assessed as a Mature Student?
7. What type of Mature Students are there?  
8. How can I contact the Grants Section?
9. What documentation will I need to submit with my application?
10. Is the grant means tested?
11. What is the value of the grant?
12. Can I apply on-line?

 

(1) How do I apply for a grant for the 2011/2012 academic year?

Application forms are available by contacting the Grants Section, City of Cork Vocational Education Committee, 21 Lavitt’s Quay, Cork. Tel. 021-4273377, Email: grants@corkvec.ie. 

You can also apply on-line at www.studentfinance.ie

(2) To whom do I apply for the grant?

If a student wishes to go directly from Leaving Certificate to a University in Ireland or the UK they should apply to Cork City Council, City Hall, Cork, tel.021-4966222. If a student wishes to attend an Institute of Technology or a course held in a Further Education College they should apply to the City of Cork Vocational Education Committee. Tel. 021-4273377, email: grants@corkvec.ie.

Please note candidates other than a mature candidate  i.e. applicants under 23 on 1st January of year of entry to college are assessed for a grant under their parents income and should apply for a grant to the VEC in whose administrative area their parents reside in:

• Cork City – please apply to the City of Cork VEC
• County Cork – please apply to the County Cork VEC

If you are a ‘mature candidate dependent on parents’ i.e. over 23 on 1st January of year of entry to college but residing with parents from 1st October , 2010 then the above applies.

If you are an ‘independent mature candidate’ i.e. over 23 on1st of January of year of entry to college and were not ordinarily resident with your parents from 1st October 2010 then you should apply to the VEC in whose administrative area you were residing in on the 1st October, 2010.

Please also note that if you are a second year student then the date of residency is the 1st October, 2009.

(3) To whom do I apply for a grant if I want to continue my studies abroad?

Students who were previously awarded a grant for an Ordinary Degree, or a Post Leaving Certificate Course by the City of Cork Vocational Education Committee, and wish to pursue an add-on Honours Degree in a University or Third Level Institute in the UK should apply to the City of Vocational Education Committee for further funding. 

(4) How many forms do I need to fill in?

1 application form per student should be completed and sent to the relevant authority. (See above)  If you later decide to change College from, for example University to a Further Education College or Institute of Technology you should ask the relevant authority to transfer your file to the correct authority. 

(5) When is the closing date for application forms?

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is    5 p.m. on the 31st August 2011.  If you have not already submitted an application form please contact the Education Support Services Department of the City of Cork VEC at 021-4273377 to discuss. Students are advised to submit their application form as soon as possible.

(6) What age do I need to be to be assessed as a Mature Student?

Mature students are students that are 23 years of age and over on the 1st January on the year of entry to a course.        

(7) What type of Mature Students are there?

Mature Dependent Student - This is a student who is at least 23 years of age on the 1st January on the year of entry to his/her course, and was residing with their parents on the 1st October of the year prior to the course.

Independent Mature Student - This is a student who is at least 23 years of age on the 1st January on the year of entry to his/her course and has been residing independently of his/her parents on the 1st October of the previous year prior to the course    

(8) How can I contact the Grants Section?       

Our telephone number is: 021 4273377, email address is: grants@corkvec.ie      

(9) What documentation do I need to submit with my grant application?

Original documentation (Copies not accepted – originals will be returned) that should be submitted with your application may include the following:

 - Original long form Birth Certificate (not short form or baptismal certificate)

 - Passport

 - Utility bill for parents address

 - Documentary evidence of residence in Ireland for 3 of the last 5 years

 - Documentary evidence for an Independent Mature Student

   Utility bill for home address from 1 October of the year preceding your entry or re-entry to

   an approved course, registration with the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB)

 - Documentary evidence for separation and divorce

   Separation Agreement   

   Divorce Decree

   Decree of dissolution for a civil partnership

   Evidence of payment of One-Parent Family

 - Examination results and documentary evidence of previous academic history

 - P60 &P21   

   for the tax year ended 31st December 2010 if parent(s) and/or student are PAYE workers.

 - Set of accounts and original Notice of Assessment

   for the tax year ended 31st December 2010 if parent(s) and/or student are self-employed.

 - Social Welfare Statement

   for the year ended 31st December 2010 if parent(s) and/or student are in receipt of payment, showing name, dates and type of benefit including Child Dependent Allowance and/or Adult Dependent Allowance.

 

Please note that income details must cover the full tax year ended 31st December 2010. If parents and /or student were employed for part of the year and unemployed for the remainder a combination of the relevant documents must be submitted

 - Final Course Acceptance Form

Enclosed with your application form is a Final Acceptance Form known as (FA1/FA2/SA1) which must be completed only when you have accepted the course offered to you.

In some cases additional information may be requested to support your application. Students should refer to the Guidance Notes for Completing the Student Grant Application Form 2011/2012.      

(10) Is the grant means tested?

Yes. Details of the income limits are contained in the Grant Scheme. The 2011 Scheme, Student Support Act & Regulations can be viewed/downloaded from this site.

(11) What is the value of grant?

The value varies depending on income and on how far you reside from the college.  See pages 35-40 of Grant Scheme 2011. The 2011 Scheme, Student Support Act & Regulations can be viewed/downloaded from this site.

(12) Can I apply on-line?

Yes at www.studentfinance.ie – follow the link on this web site and don’t forget to download the Final Course Acceptance Form, the Declaration Form and the Checklist of support documentation which you need to return to this office with the hard-copy of your application.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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