mature student, what are my entitlements?

[spacechikn]

I'm 28 and due to start college this September, my employment contract ended at the end of May this year so I moved home and could not get any employment. I have applied for the maintenance grant and should get the full grant but my income for 2007 slightly exceeded the barrier for the top up grant. However part of my income comprised of a Fás training supplement and a few weeks unemployment benefit. Would my current situation be taken into regard re the top up grant? I'm on Jobseekers Allowance, my parents are on disability and carers allowance and are not in a position to offer financial support. I am not entitled to BTE so I am also currently looking into a loan application. Also are mature students entitled to any form of rent allowance or relief?

 

[bagel]

immediately write to the grant authority and state that you wish to be assessed for the top-up grant under the 'change of circumstances' provision, as you don't have an income and therefore have no means of support;
that should do the trick;
you will most likely have to produce a mountain of supporting documentation, eg current p45, p21 for last year, etc but as long as you produce the documentation you should be alright;
if your application fails, appeal the decision through the appropriate channels and continue to do so until they eventually grant you your entitlement;
best of luck with your studies.

 

[spacechikn]

Thanks, just what I needed. I've also been told that the college can advise mature students on making appeals also, it might help someone else out there.