Higher Education Grants Information
Cork County Council processes Higher Education Grant applications in accordance with the Student Support Act 2011 and the current Department of Education and Skills Higher Education Grants Scheme, both viewable here. Grants are payable to candidates who were ordinarily resident in the administrative area of Cork County Council on 1st October prior to the year of "entry" or "re-entry" to an approved course.
COURSES:
The Higher Education Grant Scheme applies to students undertaking a full-time approved course in an approved institution at the following levels:
- Honours Bachelor Degree (Level 8)
- Higher Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma (Level 8)
- Masters Degree (Level 9)
- Doctoral Degree (Level 10)
For a full list of approved courses and institutions, please refer to Schedule 1 of the Student Support Regulations 2011.
Students undertaking Post Leaving Certificate, Higher Certificate or Ordinary Bachelor Degree courses (Levels 5-7) should apply to the VEC in the administrative area in which they were resident on 1st October prior to the year of "entry" or "re-entry" to an approved course.
COURSES IN PRIVATE COLLEGES AND PART-TIME COURSES DO NOT COME UNDER THE SCOPE OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS SCHEME.
CRITERIA:
The Higher Education Grant is means-tested based on family and/or personal income in the last financial year which, for the current academic year, is 2010. Documentary evidence of ALL sources of income during the year ended 31st December 2010 must be submitted in support of your application. The required documentation varies for each student. Therefore, you should refer to the Guidance Notes 2011/12 to see what documentation is applicable to you.
Each applicant must satisfy the ALL criteria as outlined in the 2011/12 Higher Education Grant Scheme, e.g. Residence, Age, Academic Attainment, Means, Nationality, etc.
APPLYING FOR A HIGHER EDUCATION GRANT:
STEP 1:
Please read, carefully and thoroughly, the Higher Education Grant Scheme 2011/12 and the Guidance Notes 2011/12, available on www.studentfinance.ie
STEP 2:
When you are satisfied that you are eligible to apply for a grant, submit your fully completed application form on www.studentfinance.ie
STEP 3:
As part of the student grant application, you may also need to complete the following documents:
[a] Disposal of Assets and Rights Schedule
[b] Gifts / Inheritance Schedule
[c] Woodlands Schedule
STEP 4:
Submit ALL required supporting documentation, as outlined in Schedule 4 of the Student Grant Scheme 2011/12, to:
HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS DEPARTMENT,
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL,
FLOOR 2,
COUNTY HALL,
CORK.
PLEASE NOTE: If you would like your original documentation to be returned to you, you must include a photocopy of each document.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS WAS 4.00PM ON WEDNESDAY, 31ST AUGUST 2011.
Cork County Council has extended its closing date for grant applications to Wednesday 29th February 2012. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES:
The means test for a grant application is normally based on the students or their family's income in the last full financial year which, for the current year, is 2010. However, if you or your family have had a change of circumstances in the meantime that is likely to be permanent, then your eligibility for the grant may be assessed to reflect those permanent changed circumstances.
You must include documentary evidence of all sources of income received in 2010 and also satisfactory evidence of the change of circumstances, e.g. P45 confirming termination of employment, letter from former employer confirming gross lump sum and pension details, note confirming all current sources of income including documentary evidence of same.
Please note that a fluctuation in the profits of a business is not considered a change in circumstances as this is a feature of being self-employed. A change in circumstances is limited to withdrawing fully from the business - to employment, unemployment or retirement.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Please note that FAILURE TO INCLUDE ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION WILL DELAY THE PROCESSING OF YOUR APPLICATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
If you have any query in relation to any aspect of the Higher Education Grant Scheme 2010/11 or the Application Form 2010/11, you can:
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION:
Revenue Commissioners
You can order your P21 from the Revenue Commissioners
Lo-Call: 1890 22 24 25
Online at: www.revenue.ie
How to apply online for a P21 (English Version) (Irish Version)
Department of Social and Family Affairs
Online at: www.welfare.ie
Birth Certificates
Online at: www.birthsdeathsandmarriages.ie
CAO
Online at: www.cao.ie
