No fees are chargeable for full-time undergraduate courses of at least two years duration, nor for full-time approved Post-Leaving Certificate courses of at least one year's duration in publicly funded colleges.
Means tested grants
A means tested grant for full-time students in publicly funded colleges here or in any EU country is available from Westmeath VEC (for PLC, Diploma and Certificate courses) or Westmeath County Council (for Degree courses). For undergraduates, the maintenance payment in 2000/2001 is expected to be £760 (living at home) and £1,890 (living more than 15 miles away from home or overseas). For postgraduates, the grant covers fees and maintenance but only for full-time study in colleges in the Republic or Northern Ireland. A higher rate of grant will be payable to students from low income families.
For the coming year 2001/2002, the parents' upper income limits to qualify for higher education grants, for a family with up to three children, are expected to be:
If the student continues to have regular earnings these will be counted with the parents' income but student holiday earnings up to £3,000 are ignored.
These limits are increased by £2,000 if you have over three children and by a further £2,000 if you have over seven children. They are also increased by £2,400 for each child you already have in Third Level education.
Mature students (at least 23 the previous January) who are not living with their parents since the previous October are means tested only on their own income (and that of their spouse, if married). All mature students who qualify for a grant will get the higher £1,717 rate of maintenance regardless of distance from college.
Students with disabilities can get a grant to cover the cost of technological aids, targeted transport or personal assistance (Application through Disability Officer in the College). A review of the grants is due to be published in March 2001 and should bring improvements.
The Partnership Companies also offer some support with bus fares, books, etc to students who might otherwise have difficulty attending third level. A new scheme for disadvantaged students is also promised by the Department during 2001.
Tax relief
Tax relief applies at 20% to fees of up to £2,500 for approved undergraduate courses of at least 2 years and for post-graduate courses. It applies to both full time and part-time courses in publicly funded colleges and in approved private colleges in Ireland, EU, US and certain other countries.
Tax relief applies at 20% to fees ranging from £250 up to £1,000 for courses of up to two years in foreign languages and information technology approved by FÁS or in public colleges in other EU countries. The relief is payable when an individual demonstrates that a certificate of competence has been secured in respect of the course.
Back to Education Allowance
The Department of Social Welfare will approve a Back to Education Allowance or a VTOS Allowance (from the VEC) to persons who are undertaking a full-time course leading to a recognised certificate at Second, Third or further education, who are:
The payment is the full rate of Social Welfare without any means test, plus any secondary benefits you already have, plus
You can work part-time without affecting your payment but it would affect rent supplement. You can qualify for the VEC or County Council grants along with BTE or VTOS (if taking 8 modules in NCVA).
People attending a part-time course can retain their social welfare entitlement while doing a course, provided they are still available for work.
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Exemption from course fees
