If your are 21 or over and receiving a Social Welfare payment* or credits for at least six months, you can return to education at no cost under the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme(VTOS). You will be paid a weekly VTOS Training allowance equivalent to your social welfare payment, your books will be provided, you will get a weekly meal allowance and you may qualify for a travel allowance. VTOS students who have been unemployed for over one year may get an extra 31.74 social welfare bonus. *Social welfare payments that may qualify for VTOS Unemployment Assistance/Benefit One Parent Family Allowance Disability Benefit/Allowance Lone Parents over 21 years in receipt of Lone Parents Allowance for one year or longer retain their Lone Parents Allowance, get and extra 31.74 per week and may get a grant of up to 63.50 per week for childcare. Widowed Person's allowance You are also eligible if you are the husband, wife or partner of someone receiving assistance/benefit. Taster Courses Shorter Taster courses (usually three weeks part-time) are offered from time to time during the summer months. People are given the opportunity to explore different areas and special emphasis is placed on learning the skills needed to return to studying. VTOS students are alsoeligible for enrolment on any of the Repeat or Post Leaving Certificate programmes offered in the College .