Studying in Ireland .... Help !!

JF001

Hello Everyone
My daughter is looking at applying to Uni in Dublin for September. It appears fees are free which is great but there does not appear to be any help at all available in the form of maintenace loans or grants which is a major problem for us.I know she can work up to 20 hrs a week while studying but its not ideal as her only means of support and whilst we can help her a bit, we cant afford a lot.
Does anyone know anything we dont??
Many many thanks for any advice.

mummytofour

No idea but I shall be watch this with interest!

BruceyBonus

I've just found this, which could be useful for you
http://www.usi.ie/pages/usi-home/student-resources/student-finance-links.php
It's the Irish Union of Students.

JF001

Thanks for the link, great site but you can apply if you live in Ireland. Still cant believe she cant claim a Student loan here. A grant I can accept (not happy but willing to accept), however sureley she should be able to claim a loan like every other student. I am planning to write to lots of people in the New Year and see if I can get any joy.

LondonDiva

She'd be entitled to a loan if she was studying here, she'll not be a GB student, so can't have GB support. Under the EU rules, she's entitled to support / access to other EU institutions on the same basis as their residents if she's studying on the same basis as them.

So a French person studying here would be entitled to a student loan on the same grounds, but if s/he was an exchange student, would be classed as a French student here temporarily - no loan.

Has she actually contacted the Irish universities / embassy to check what support is available to students there?

JF001

Already checked with DFES her who advise : As a UK citizen you have the right, subject to certain conditions, to study or work in another EU country. You also have the right to be treated equally with domestic students in terms of the course fees you pay – though not on maintenance grants or other help with living costs.
The Irish Dept of Education said: Generally speaking, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means and nationality.
What is the residency requirement?

The candidate’s parents or guardians, or, in the case of an independent mature candidate, the candidate herself/himself, must have been ordinarily resident in the administrative area of the County Council/Corporation/ VEC from 1st October, of the previous year.