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Higher Education Grants


Registration Forms 2011/2012


 

Student Grant Scheme 2011-2012


Student Grant Scheme 2011 - Closing Date 31st August 2011

Mayo County Council is now accepting applications under the Student Grant Scheme 2011 in accordance with the Student Support Act 2011 and the Student Support Regulations 2011 published by the Department of Education and Skills.  

Your application should be made using the online application facility at www.studentfinance.ie.  This online application facility, which has been designed to guide you step-by-step through the application process, is a more efficient method of applying for your grant and should result in an earlier decision.  
When you have fully completed and submitted the online application form, the application system will send you an email with a checklist of required supporting documentation and a declaration form.  You should gather your required documentation (please consult the Guidance Notesfor a detailed list of required documentation) and post it with the completed checklist and the signed declaration form to Mayo County Council. 

If you experience any technical problems when completing your online application you should email grantstechsupport@cdvec.ie or telephone 1890 33 11 33 for assistance.  Telephone support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also download and print out application forms from www.studentfinance.ie.  While you should use the online application facility, we are aware that some applicants may not have internet access.  If this applies in your case, please contact us by telephone at 094 9024444 and we will arrange to send you a paper application form.

Frequently Asked Questions


STUDENT GRANT SCHEME 2011

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE STUDENT GRANT SCHEME 2011?

Mayo County Council administers the Student Grant Scheme 2011 in accordance with the Student Support Act 2011 and the Student Support Regulations 2011 published by the Department of Education and Skills.  

The following financial supports are available under the scheme:

Maintenance Grants are available for approved undergraduate courses at universities and certain other educational institutions within the Republic of Ireland and other EU countries.  If you are an undergraduate student on an approved course in the Republic of Ireland, and are awarded a maintenance grant, 100% of your Student Contribution (formerly the Student Services Charge) will be paid.

If you are an undergraduate student on an approved course in the Republic of Ireland who does not qualify for a maintenance grant, you may still qualify for payment of all (100%) or part (50%) of the Student Contribution (formerly the Student Services Charge).  Please note that no tuition fees will be paid for undergraduate courses outside of the Republic of Ireland.

Maintenance and Partial or full Tuition Fees Grants are available for postgraduate courses in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland only.  No funding is available under the Student Grant Scheme 2011 for postgraduate courses outside of the island of Ireland. 

You should consult Page 35 of the Student Grant Scheme 2011 for details of the applicable income limits. 

 

AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A GRANT?
You must have been legally resident in Ireland for three of the last five years.  You should only apply to Mayo County Council if your home address is in Co Mayo.  You must fulfill residency, age, academic attainment, means and nationality conditions  to be deemed eligible for a grant. 

Grants are not usually payable in the following circumstances:
• If you are repeating a year, even if you did not receive a grant the first time you undertook that year. 
• If you are undertaking a second course at the same level, even if you did not receive a grant for the first course.  Please note that, in certain circumstances, such as medical grounds or following a break in studies of at least 5 years grants for repeat years may be payable.

Grants are not available in the following circumstances:
• For part-time, on-line or distance education courses.
• If your course is in a private college.
• If you are in receipt of an award such as a scholarship, prize, bursary or fees from your college or another source or a postgraduate research grant which exceeds €16,000 in value. You must submit written confirmation of the total value of your award from the awarding body to Mayo County Council.   This written confirmation should also state the value of any fees included in the total award.
• For postgraduate courses outside of the island of Ireland.


WHAT ARE THE INCOME LIMITS FOR 2011/12?
Details of the income limits that will apply to your application can be found on Page 35 and Page 36 of the Student Grant Scheme 2011.   There is a new category of grant this year with higher income limits than in  previous years.  If you qualify under this category you will receive 50% of your Student Contribution (formerly the Student Services Charge).


I’M THINKING OF GOING TO STUDY ABROAD.  WILL I QUALIFY FOR A GRANT?
This depends on where you’re thinking of going and whether you are an undergraduate or a postgraduate student. 

If you are attending an undergraduate course at a publicly funded college in a EU country, you may be eligible for a maintenance grant only.  Please note that no tuition fees will be paid for undergraduate courses outside of the Republic of Ireland.

No funding is available for postgraduate courses outside of the island of Ireland.  Maintenance and fee grants are available for postgraduate students in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland only.  


I EXPECT TO QUALIFY FOR THE BACK TO EDUCATION ALLOWANCE (BTEA). WILL THIS AFFECT MY MAINTENANCE GRANT APPLICATION?
Yes. From September 2010 onwards, students entering a new course who are in receipt of the BTEA will no longer be eligible for a maintenance grant. Such students, can, however apply to Mayo County Council to have their Student Contribution (formerly the Student Services Charge) and any tuition fees for the course paid on their behalf. 


I HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR A MAINTENANCE GRANT.   DOES THIS MAKE ME INELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE BTEA?
No, but once you become a recipient of the BTEA you will become ineligible for any further maintenance grant support.  You will still be eligible for payment of your fees and/or your Student Contribution (formerly the Student Services Charge).  You must inform us immediately if you are awarded a Back to Education Allowance by the Department of Social Protection.


AM I AN INDEPENDENT MATURE CANDIDATE?
A mature candidate is a candidate who is at least 23 years of age on the 1st January of the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course.  ‘Re-entry’ means entering as a mature candidate following a break in studies of at least 3 years.

To be eligible to apply as an 'Independent Mature Candidate' you must be at least 23 years of age on the 1st January of the year of entry or re-entry to your course and living independently from your parents from the 1st of October of the year before the year you entered the course you will be taking in 2011/12.  You will be assessed on your own income and and, if applicable, your spouse’s/partner’s income.  You must submit proof of your independent residence with your application (see Section A15 on Page 7 of the Guidance Notes for Completing the Application Form 2011/12). 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT SATISFACTORY PROOF OF INDEPENDENT RESIDENCE YOU WILL BE ASSESSED AS A 'DEPENDENT MATURE CANDIDATE' (see below).

A 'Dependent Mature Candidate' is a student who is at least 23 years of age on the 1st January of the year of entry or re-entry to the course they are undertaking in 2011/12 and is living with their parents,  Dependent Mature Candidates are assessed on their parents’ and their own income.


I’M NOT OVER THE AGE OF 23 BUT I DON’T LIVE WITH MY PARENTS.  CAN I APPLY FOR A GRANT AS AN INDEPENDENT MATURE CANDIDATE?
Only in very special  circumstances.  If you were not at least 23 years of age on the 1st January of the year of entry or re-entry to the course you will be taking in 2011/12 and have no living parent/guardian or are irreconcilably estranged and not in receipt of financial support from either parent (this includes unaccompanied minor refugees) you may be exempted from  having your parents’ income take into account.  You will be required to submit evidence of your special circumstances.  If you believe these special circumstances apply to you, please contact us for advice before submitting your Student Grant application.


I’VE JUST FINISHED MY UNDERGRADUATE COURSE AND WILL BE STARTING A POSTGRADUATE COURSE IN 2011.  I’M NOW OVER 23 YEARS OF AGE.  CAN I APPLY AS AN INDEPENDENT MATURE CANDIDATE?
No. Students proceeding directly from an undergraduate course to a postgraduate course (without at least a three year break in studies) must continue to be assessed under the category of candidate that applied to them at the first year of entry to their undergraduate course.


CAN I APPLY BEFORE I RECEIVE A COURSE OFFER?
Yes.  You should submit your grant application as soon as possible.  If you subsequently accept a course offer from an Institute of Technology (IT), please let us know and we will forward your application directly to Mayo V.E.C. for processing. 


HOW DO I APPLY?
Your application should be made using the online application facility at www.studentfinance.ie.  This online application facility, which has been designed to guide you step-by-step through the application process, is a more efficient method of applying for your grant and should result in an earlier decision.  

When you have fully completed and submitted the online application form, the application system will send you an email with a checklist of required supporting documentation and a declaration form.  You should gather your required documentation (please also consult the Guidance Notes for Completing the Application Form 2011/12 for a more detailed list of required documentation) and post it with the completed checklist and the signed declaration form to Mayo County Council (address below).  

Please note that only original documentation should be submitted to Mayo County Council.  Photocopies will not be accepted.  Your original documentation will be returned to you when your application is assessed.

 If you experience any technical problems when completing your online application you should email grantstechsupport@cdvec.ie or telephone 1890 33 11 33 for assistance.  Telephone support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO SEND WITH MY APPLICATION?
Please read the Student Grant Application Form 2011/12 and the Guidance Notes for Completing the Application Form 2011/12 carefully before completing your application form. 

SUBMITTING AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION WILL CAUSE A DELAY IN PROCESSING OF YOUR APPLICATION.

You must submit evidence of your/your parents income from all sources for the year ended 31st December 2010 together with evidence of your age, academic attainment and residency.  You can use the Documentation Checklist below to help ensure that your application is as complete as possible.  Please note that only original documentation should be submitted.  Photocopies will not be accepted.  Your original documentation will be returned to you when your application is assessed.

 SECTION

  ORIGINAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

(ALL DOCUMENTATION MUST RELATE TO THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2010)

Personal Information “Details of Dependent Children” 

If there are 4 or more dependent children in your family, you may be requested to submit an original Long Birth Certificates for each dependent child.

Income from employment or non-social welfare pension including lump sums on retirement and redundancy where applicable

P21 Balancing Statement from the Tax Office and a P60 or P45 (if the employment has ended) for each employment held in 2010.   In retirement cases you must submit a letter from the former employer confirming if a lump sum was received and the number of years the employment lasted.  If you are in receipt of a non-social welfare pension, you must also submit a letter from your pension scheme confirming the current rate of pension being paid.  For redundancy cases you must submit a  a letter from your former employer stating whether or not redundancy was received, the amount received and the number of years the employment lasted.   

Income from all Social Welfare/ Health Service Executive (HSE) payments  

 

For each payment being received you must submit a written statement from the Department of Social Protection and/or from the HSE showing the name and PPS number of the recipient, the type of payment, the weekly rate of payment, the total amount received, the date the payment started and, if applicable, the date the payment ceased. The amount of any Child Dependent Increase (CDI) included in the payment must be indicated on the statement.  

Please note that social welfare must  be for non-taxation Student Grant purposes. Statements issued by the Department of Social Protection for taxation purposes are not acceptable for Student Grant purposes.

Income from self-employment, including farming 

Copy of accounts and a computation for profit/loss for income tax for the period ending in the year 2010 for each business.  Notice of Assessment from the Tax Office. If pension contributions were paid in 2010, you must submit a statement from the PRSA or Retirement Annuity provider showing the total amount contributed for the 2010. Where farm accounts do not exist the a Farm Income Schedule (available from Mayo County Council) should be completed, and submitted together with a Notice of Assessment.  If Interest or Lease payments on borrowings for capital purposes or Wages paid to family members or casual employees are included in the accounts, a  Schedule A Interest Leasing Wages sheet  must be completed and submitted with your application.  If income was received from Woodlands in 2010 you must complete and submit a Woodlands Table with your application.   

Rent and other income from land and property 

Copy of accounts and a computation of profit/loss for income tax and a Notice of Assessment from the Tax Office.

Deposit Accounts/investments including Foreign investments

Certificates of interest/dividends/statement from the relevant financial institution for the year ended 31st December 2010 

Income from maintenance, separation/divorce agreements

Proof of receipt of a current One-Parent Family Payment from the Department of Social Protection or a legal maintenance agreement or order/separation agreement/divorce decree. Where there is no legal agreement in place, we require a letter from a solicitor confirming that the separation details and the amount of any maintenance being paid.  Proof of separate residence for each of your parents is also required. 

Disposal of assets

Computation of capital gain for previous tax year as supplied or to be supplied to Inspector of Taxes.  You must also complete and submit a Disposal of Assets Table with this documentation

Gifts/Inheritances etc.

Provide relevant documentation including any returns/correspondence with Revenue.  You must also complete and submit a Gifts and Inheritances Table with your application. 

Income from other sources not shown elsewhere

If any other source of income was received during the year, details and documentary evidence must be provided.  Please refer to Part 5 (Pages 19-25) of the Student Grant Scheme 2011 for more information about income sources.

 

It is vitally important that the application form be fully completed, signed and dated by both you and your parents where applicable. You should tick the 'No' box on sections of the form that are not relevant to your particular situation.

 


DO I NEED TO MAKE A SEPARATE APPLICATION FOR THE SPECIAL RATE OF MAINTENANCE GRANT?
No.  We routinely assess applications for the Special Rate of Maintenance Grant.  To be eligible to be assessed for the Special Rate of Maintenance Grant, you or your parents must be in receipt of one of the eligible payments listed on Pages 37 and 38 of the Student Grant Scheme 2011 and have an reckonable income of less that €22,703.


WHERE DO I SEND MY COMPLETED APPLICATION?
This depends on what college you hope to attend.  Your first choice CAO course is a good guideline to use. 

You should apply to Mayo County Council if you were previously awarded a grant by Mayo County Council or have applied for/will be attending an approved course in one of the following institutions in 2011/12:
• a university;
• one of the institutions listed on Pages 13-16 of the Student Support Regulations 2011 ;
• an approved undergraduate course in an approved educational institution in the EU;
• an approved postgraduate course in an approved educational institution in Northern Ireland (see Page 17 of the Student Support Regulations 2011).

You should apply to Mayo Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) if you have applied for or will be attending an approved course in a Post-Leaving Certificate Centre (PLC) or an Institute of Technology (IT) in 2011/12 or if you were previously awarded a grant by Mayo VEC.

Mayo VEC ( www.mayovec.ie ) can be contacted at 094 9024188 (between 2.00pm and 4.00pm Monday to Friday), by email at studentgrants@mayovec.ie or by post at Newtown, Castlebar, Co Mayo.

 

HOW WILL MY APPLICATION BE ASSESSED?
The amount of grant awarded, if any, depends on your/your parents income or means.  Income limits and maximum grants for fees and maintenance are set down annually by the Department of Education and Skills.  You should consult Page 35 of the Student Grant Scheme 2011 for details of the current income limits.  For the 2011/12 academic year, your application will be assessed on income for the year ended 31st December 2010. 

However, if you or your family have had a change of circumstances since the beginning of 2010 that is likely to be continuous for the duration of your course, then your eligibility for a grant may be assessed to reflect those changed circumstances. For example, if your parents experience a change in income level (through reduction in working hours, unemployment, etc.) then you can apply to Mayo County Council to have your eligibility for a grant re-assessed on the basis of the new income level.  You should submit details and documentary evidence of income before and after the change in circumstances.


MY BROTHER/SISTER IS ALSO GOING TO COLLEGE.  WILL THIS MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO MY GRANT ASSESSMENT?
Yes.  Income limits are increased where there are two or more students from one family at third level colleges (see Table B on Page 35 of the Student Grant Scheme 2011).  For this reason, it is very important that you fully complete Section E of the application form.  If your application is successful, we will require written confirmation of registration from your brother/sisters college.


I LIVE CLOSE TO THE COLLEGE I WILL BE ATTENDING.  WILL THIS AFFECT MY GRANT AWARD?
If your permanent home address (not your term-time address) is less than 45 kilometres from your college and you are awarded a maintenance grant this will be paid at the lower Adjacent Rate.  The rates of payment for the 2011 financial year* can be found on Page 39 of the Student Grant Scheme 2011.   This applies to all students from the start of the 2011/12 academic year.  Distances will be calculated using the most direct route from your permanent home address to your college.
*  These rates of payment will apply until the end of 2011.  They are subject to change in Budget 2012.


HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY APPLICATION IS SUCCESSFUL?
You will be notified, in writing, of the outcome of your application.  This notification will either be sent to the email address you give us on your application form (it is important that you give us a valid email address and that you check it regularly) or posted to your home address.   It is important that you read your notification carefully.

Successful applications are usually subject to conditions which must to be fulfilled before any payment can issue.  A Final Course Acceptance Form will be included with your award notification.  It is essential that you complete this form and return it to this office immediately.  We will also send you an Electronic Funds Transfer Form to facilitate the payment of any maintenance grant to your bank account (see next question).

If your application is unsuccessful, the reason(s) for the refusal of your application will be detailed in the decision notification.


IF MY APPLICATION IS SUCCESSFUL, HOW WILL MY GRANT BE PAID?
Maintenance grants are paid in three instalments, usually in October, January and after Easter. 

From the 2011/12 academic year, Mayo County Council will pay maintenance grants directly into students’ bank accounts.  If you are awarded a maintenance grant, you will be sent an Electronic Funds Transfer Payment Form with your grant award notification.  This must be completed with your bank account details (the account must be in your name and held in a bank in the Republic of Ireland), stamped by your bank and returned to us before your grant can be paid.


WILL MY FEES BE PAID?
You must bring your grant award notification to the Fees Office in your college and ask them to invoice Mayo County Council for your tuition fees or Student Contribution.  We will pay the college directly when we get the invoice.  If you are awarded a fee grant or Student Contribution grant and have already paid fees or a Student Contribution, your college will refund this to you when they receive our payment. 

Mayo County Council does not refund fee or Student Contribution payments directly to students.

If you are an undergraduate student on an approved course in the Republic of Ireland, and are awarded a maintenance grant, 100% of your Student Contribution (formerly the Student Services Charge) will be paid.

If you are an undergraduate students on an approved course in the Republic of Ireland who does not qualify for a maintenance grant, you may still qualify for payment of all (100%) or part (50%) of the Student Contribution (formerly the Student Services Charge).  You should consult Page 35 of the Student Grant Scheme 2011 for details of the current income limits.

No tuition fees will be paid for undergraduate courses outside of the Republic of Ireland.

Maintenance and Partial or full Tuition Fees Grants are available for postgraduate courses in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland only.  No funding is available under the Student Grant Scheme for postgraduate courses outside of the island of Ireland.


WILL I HAVE TO RE-APPLY NEXT YEAR?
A percentage of successful applications are reviewed annually.  If your award is subject to review, this will be stated in your award notification and you will have to submit a new grant application for the 2012/13 academic year.


IF MY APPLICATION IS UNSUCCESSFUL, CAN I APPEAL THE DECISION?
Yes.  You should first send a letter of appeal to Mayo County Council asking for a review of the application.  This must be submitted withing 30 days of receipt of your notification letter. 

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of this review, you may then submit an appeal to the Department of Education and Science.  You must submit your appeal within 30 days of receipt of the decision on your intial appeal to Mayo County Council.


CAN I WITHDRAW MY GRANT APPLICATION?
Yes.  Please let us know so that we can cancel your grant application.


WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE A QUERY?
Please contact the Student Grant Section in Mayo County Council.

Address:   Student Grant Section, Mayo County Council, First Floor, Aras an Chontae, The Mall, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Email:    heg@mayococo.ie
Telephone:   094 9024444
Fax:    094 9047568
Website:   www.mayococo.ie

Our offices are open from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday (with the exception of public holidays)

USEFUL LINKS:

• National Framework of Qualifications http://www.nfq.ie/nfq/en/FanDiagram/nqai_nfq_08.html
• To order Birth Certificates online www.birthsdeathsmarriages.ie
• County Mayo V.E.C. www.mayovec.ie
• Student Finance Information for students on courses in the Republic of Ireland  www.studentfinance.ie
• Student Finance Information for students on courses in Northern Ireland www.nicourses.com/higher_education/student_finance.html
• Student Finance Information for students on courses in England www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm
• Student Finance Information for students on courses in Scotland  www.student-support-saas.gov.uk/
• Student Finance Information for students on courses in Wales  www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
• Higher Education Authority  www.hea.ie/en/students
• Central Applications Office www.cao.ie
• Qualifax:  the National Learners Database www.qualifax.ie/
• Financial advice for Students from the Financial Regulator  www.itsyourmoney.ie
• Higher Education Section of Department of Education www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?pcategory=10900&ecategory=11393&language=EN

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

If you, your parent(s), legal guardian, spouse or partner, as applicable, knowingly make a false statement or knowingly withhold information, you will lose your grant and have to repay any portion of a grant that you have already received.  You, your parent(s), legal guardian, spouse or partner, as applicable, may also be prosecuted leading to a fine, a prison term or both.

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