Higher Education Grants

• Higher Education Grants Forms

Introduction

Higher Education Grants 2007

The Higher Education Grants Scheme is drawn up by the Department of Education and Science each year and is circulated to each Local Authority.Limerick City Council is enabled to grant aid students undertaking Degree and Post-Graduate Courses in most Third Level Institutions in Ireland.To qualify, students must be attending full-time Undergraduate Courses of at least two years duration pursued in a University / Institute of Technology / or third-level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in Ireland and Other E.U. Member States (with certain exceptions).The Higher Education Grant Scheme also covers approved full-time postgraduate courses of at least one years duration pursued in colleges / institutes approved for the purposes of the Scheme.Grant assistance is not paid in respect of postgraduate study outside of Ireland.The Scheme specifically states that part-time or evening courses are not approved.

Where do I apply to for my grant?

Generally, when you have to fill up the Grant Application Form, you have no idea where you will be going to College.However, you have filled up the CAO form with preferences for courses and colleges.

· If you have Honours Bachelor Degree Courses (Level 8) as your preferences, you should apply to Limerick City Council, City Hall, Merchant’s Quay, Limerick.List of approved institutions are listed in the Higher Education Grant Scheme.

· If you have applied for all Higher Certificate (Level 6), Ordinary Bachelor Degree (Level 7) Courses or Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses you should apply only to the Vocational Education Committee, at Limerick City VEC, Athenaeum Building, 30, Upper Cecil Street, Limerick.Tel. No. 061-417688.

· Some of you will have applied for a combination of Honours Bachelor Degree and Higher Certificate / Ordinary Bachelor Degree Courses.You should address your grant application to whichever Authority that deals with your preferred choice, i.e., if you want to do a University Degree, apply to Limerick City Council.

However, do not worry unduly about this aspect as once you have been offered your place, you immediately notify whichever Authority to whom you made your application and your application can be forwarded to the relevant Authority as necessary.

Your application must meet the essential condition relating to means.(There are, of course, other conditions, including those relating to age, residence and nationality).

How does the Means Test Work?

When you apply for a grant, the income that is assessed must be at or below a certain amount (the ‘reckonable income’).The reckonable income is gross income (income before tax deduction).

For the 2007/2008 academic year, the reckonable income limits (based on income for the tax-year 2006 - for the period 1^st January, 2006 to 31^st December 2006) are:-

*Full Student Service Charge is paid where income is at or below this level.

+In the 2007/08 academic year where 2 or more children (or the candidate's parent) are attending a full-time recognised course in further or Higher Education, the reckonable income limits may be increased by €4,685 where there are 2 such children, €9,370 where there are 3 such children and so on, by increments of €4,685.

Maintenance Grants Rates

What is the Rate of Grant?

Grants are paid at either of two rates@-

· The non –adjacent rate, where the grant-holder’s normal residence is more than 24 kilometres (15 miles) from the college attended.Also, Mature candidates who qualify receive the Non-Adjacent Rate.

· The adjacent rate, where the grant-holder’s normal residence is 24 kilometres (15 miles) or less from the college attended.

The City Council shall pay the students’ maintenance grant in three equal instalments as early as possible each term. On receipt of letter of registration from the College, the individual paying orders shall be addressed to the grant-holder c/o the Bursar’s Office of the College.It is a matter for the applicant to ensure that the College forward the letter of registration to Limerick City Council as soon as possible.

Student Services, Registration and Examination

For academic year 2007/2008 the charge payable by students for registration, examination and student services is €825.(This is covered by the Higher Education Grant Scheme).

Special Rates of Maintenance Grant

Special rates of maintenance grants are payable to disadvantaged grant-holders. These are called 'Special Rate Grant’ an amount additional to the ordinary grant.Grant-holders must satisfy certain conditions.The reckonable income (for the period 1^st January, 2006 to 31^st December, 2006, the tax year 2006) shall not exceed €18,055 net of standard exclusions (as set out in Clause 1 of the Higher Education Grant Scheme).This reckonable income must include one of the Social Welfare Payments listed in Appendix III of the Higher Education Grant Scheme.

Special Rates of Maintenance Grant for 2007/08

Contact

Application forms and full details are also available from:

Eleanor Buckley
Assistant Staff Officer - Higher Education Grants
Corporate Services Department
Phone: (061) 407334
email: ebuckley@limerickcity.ie

Higher Education Grants Department

Phone: (061) 407100
Fax: (061) 415266
email: info@limerickcity.ie

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Address:
Higher Education Grants Department
3rd Floor,
City Hall,
Merchants Quay,
Limerick City,
IRELAND