Third Level Education Grants
Welcome to the Grants Section of Kerry Education Service
Grant Applications 2011/12
Log on to www.studentfinance.ie to submit an online application or to download the grant application form and accompanying notes. The accompanying notes clearly outline the documentation which must be submitted with your application form in order to allow us to make a decision on your eligibility for funding. The official closing date is 31st August, 2011.
Due to the large volume of queries we receive at peak periods throughout the year, we are unfortunately not always able to answer each phone call/ email query straight away. On these occasions, the FAQ Section may be able to assist you. If the FAQ does not answer your query, please phone our office at (066) 7121612 (2pm to 4pm Monday to Friday) or email grants@cokerryed.ie for further information.
Grant Schemes
A single unified student grant scheme is being introduced to cover all study from PLC through to postgraduate levels. The new scheme will apply to all students who wish to apply for a grant for the 2011/12 academic year other than those who were in receipt of a grant in 2010/11 and are continuing on the same course.
The student grant scheme for 2011/12 is now governed by:
• The Student Support Act 2011 (overriding principles and policies for the student grant scheme)
• The Student Support Regulations 2011- SI 304/2011 (specific requirements in relation to approved institutions, approved courses and prescribed students).
• The Student Support Scheme 2011 – SI 305/2011 (details in relation to entitlement, reckonable income and the award of grants).
Grants are not paid in respect of attendance at part-time or evening courses.
Renewal of Maintenance Grants 2011/2012 - Please see attached in relation to Renewal Procedures
Changes to Student Grants following Budget 2012
A reduction of 3% is to be applied to the rates of all student grants (existing grantholders and new grantholders) from 1st January 2012. Full details available here.
Back to Education Allowance
People in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance for all schemes and the VTOS allowance for those pursuing a PLC course will no longer be eligible for student support grants. However, the cost of the student service charge and any fees payable to colleges will continue to be met by the Exchequer on their behalf. This will apply to all new grant holders in the 2010/2011 academic year onwards. Certain criteria will apply to students who have already commenced Third Level Courses - Please see attached in relation to Back to Education Allowance & VTOS - Please contact Kerry Education Service for further clarification.
Grants Payment Schedules
A copy of the Payment Schedule for 2011/2012 is available here.
Department of Social Protection Fraud Controls
Students are reminded that Institutions of Education are required to provide details of student enrolments to the Department of Social Protection, to identify possible abuses of the Social Welfare System.
You are not entitled to receive a Social Welfare payment while attending a full-time course of study unless you have received prior approval from the Department under the terms of the scheme.
It is Department of Social Protection policy to consider for prosecution ALL cases of fraud and abuse of the Social Welfare system.
Student Poster / Student Handout (PDF) / Student Handout (Word)
New Grant Applications 2012/13
With effect from the 2012/13 academic year all new grant applications will be processed by a single grant awarding authority. Students are advised to monitor www.studentfinance.ie website for updates or email queries to grants@cdvec.ie