Returing to Uni fulltime but not eligible for free fees or Grants

Hi there

I'm tentatively thinking of returning to Uni to do a full-time 4 yr Undergrad course. I've just discovered I'd be eligible for fees (8k annually) as I've already got a BA and this new Degree is not a 'follow on' or post-grad to my original (graduated over 10 yrs ago ). Have many people here done this? What, if any, financial support is available? I was advised by the Educ. Department that I wouldn't get a council grant either. My situation: I have a mortgage but I don't have an other-half or parents who could support me or pay the mortgage unfortunately! I could obviously work during the summers, but it seems that without a MASSIVE loan, this could be really unfeasible. I could possibly get 40% of the mortgage thru renting a room. I know people will say 'where there's a will there's a way' but I was just looking for other people's experience on this and how they managed?

thanks

s

Would it be possible to borrow from your/a bank/credit union enough to live on for the 6/7 months of the academic year with the possibility of starting to pay it back only once you finish your degree and start working again?

Arrange an appointment with the mature student officer in the uni and ask if there are any helps or supports available.

Try to negotiate a discount of the fees and/or to agree a payment plan with admissions.

Remember all full and part time fees are tax deductable.

I think if the uni is the same as your original one then as an alumni/alumna you may also get a discount of fees for the course. There may be discounts you can get. I dont know but one example which I found after a short Google which probably isnt relevant is below:

[broken link removed]

6) Is there a fee discount for DIT Graduates?

Yes - DIT graduates who join the Graduate Network are entitled to a 25% discount on some part-time programme fees (excluding all postgraduate programmes and research Degrees). A valid membership card must be presented at the time of registration in order to qualify for this discount. To apply for membership of the Network, contact the Graduate Network office on 402-7143 or email: graduate.network @ dit.ie.

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It may make sense for you to study abroad somewhere with a lower cost of living and lower fees, only returning to Ireland during the holidays to work. Make sure to research every angle with your ideal career in mind.

Is there any similar part time course available? What is the degree you want to do in if you don't mind me asking? Maybe you could try and gain experience in the area and get a company to fund (or part fund) the qualifications.

I also looked into something similar - degree in IT and was thinking about doing nursing / midwifery and had the same problem as OP. I did find that you can do those courses in UK (and therefore up North) that are funded by the NHS if that's any help. Depends on course obviously.

I am going to study in the Kings Inn this coming Oct, 5 nights in evenings for the next 2 years. How I did it. You must plan and be ruthless in your goals been set.....Make the path for you....If you want to do it full time. Rent out 1 or 2 rooms to students, spanish or chinese that are studying over here for 6 months, that will net you 750 per student, that would be 1500 per month for 2, mortgage nearly or cleared each month. I sold my career car, paid off car loans, threw my credit card in the bin. I imported a car from Japan, cheap driving around. Then work with your bank to get a moratorium on your mortgage for 3 months then you only have to work the other 3 months of the 6 months been in college, maybe part time.It is a good option.Banks support courses, as they know you will more educated and will that will hold strong for future earnings.

thanks pddc07. All valid points.
Apartment is only 2 bed and in location that would get 400 max for the spare room, but I'd definitely do that for extra income.

S

Scatriona

Two years ago I took a career break and started a full-time undergraduate degree (a three-year commitment). A point that I had to consider was when to take time off. I included from the start of my planning a one-year delay to my course. This enabled me to work and save a substantial sum of money.

If you are thinking now of applying for a course I assume that you will apply through the CAO by next January for a course starting in September 2008. I would advise you to apply for the course with the intention of deferring for a year on acceptance. Basically, if you apply and get the course, I see no difficulty with a defferal request being granted (it worked for me). If you apply and fail, you still have a year to save and can re-apply next year.

What I am basically suggesting is that you commit to a later date (i.e. September 2009 or perhaps even September 2010) than you may have initially envisaged to enable you to build up a war chest. This will enable you to put up with unexpected bumps in the road (such as a tenant leaving for example). In addition, it will mean that not all days will be 'beans on toast' cusine!

A number of my fellow students received specific 'hardship' grants from the university itself (rather than a local authority / government scheme), but I would advise you to assume that you would not get these.

Ideally the only debt you should have when entering a period of unemployment should be mortgage related. There is plenty of advice on Askaboutmoney (and elsewhere on the internet) on ways of securing your general financial position.

Best of Luck

Imperator


Imperator

As you are single, could you not move back home with your parents for the 3 yrs of college, & rent out your whole house. (Obviously it depends on if your parents are living near a university town) I have found that you get more rent by renting out a full house than renting out rooms. I would be a bit wary of moving to e.g. Spain (with a lower cost of living) to study. I would be concerned that the Irish employers might not recognise such a degree as much as an Irish or UK degree.

Never did this, but I did study part time for a number of years while working full time & paying for a mortgage. I was single at the time, so I had no other half to supplement me. The cost of my course was expensive so I had a lodger in my house. I had to budget carefully etc, but it worked out well.

Best of luck

Fair play to you. I am planning to do the same thing. I'm going to be applying for a 4 yr course and hope to start Sept 2008. I am hoping to job share as like you have mortgage and no partner/spouse to help support me. I have been saving for the last yr not very hard though but have up the anti with the savings in the last few weeks.
Is there any chance you could job share? Work weekends. The idea above re the foreign students id great as they pay more and they are there for a shorter period - so if you get sick of them they won't be around too long.
Have you much equity on you apartment? Would it be feasible to remortgage if your bank would approve.

Best of luck.