University students often struggle with adult expenses like bills, rent, food, among others, without the benefit of full-time adult income. So, how can they sustain these costs while pursuing further education? Michael Murphy, the head of Mayo Further Education and Training College, proposes several guidelines.
Murphy advocates for a well-thought-out budget encompassing tuition fees, living costs, accommodation expenses, and other extraneous fees. By comprehending your financial commitments, he argues, you can judiciously manage your monetary resources.
He advises students to find inexpensive accommodation options in larger cities. Shared housing with fellow students or commuting from surrounding areas where rents are cheaper might be worthwhile considerations.
Murphy also recommends meticulous planning of living expenses like food costs, transportation, utilities, and recreational activities, and encourages utilisation of student discounts and wallet-friendly options to maximise the budget. He suggests exploring part-time work opportunities to bolster income and reminds that colleges commonly offer on-campus jobs or connect with local businesses needing scholar employees.
Following these insights, Murphy shares advice on available financial assistance for students pursuing further education. He suggests exploring student grants from agencies like Susi, and seeking scholarship and bursary opportunities.
One should research student loans and grants suited to their situation, Murphy advises. Government schemes and financial assistance programmes could substantially lighten the cost burden. He notes that scholarships and bursaries, provided by colleges, local businesses, government entities, and sports bodies, are often allocated on academic excellence, financial necessity, or particular study field requirements.
Furthermore, some universities offer additional financial assistance for students having more living costs in city areas. They should take advantage of these opportunities to lessen their financial load.
Lastly, a representative of the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board’s (LOETB) adult guidance service highlights that support payments for higher education are dependant on individual circumstances and programme type. One primary grant support for further education provided by Susi is accessible for programmes at Level 5 and above.
Susi maintenance grants are designed to support students in covering the expenses related to attending a plc course. This aid is awarded based on several factors, such as income, nationality, residency, prior education, approved courses, and progression.
Additionally, numerous other financial aids are accessible for those individuals receiving social welfare payments, encompassing the Back to Education Allowance, allowances for traineeships, and Vocational Training Opportunity Scheme payments.
The Back to Education Allowance scheme primarily offers financial assistance for unemployment benefit recipients and those receiving qualifying payments who are pursuing full-time further education courses. The scheme’s main objective is to aid individuals in enhancing their qualifications, thereby improving their chances of securing long-term employment. The further education option facilitates study for awards up to and inclusive of QQI Level 6.
To be eligible for this scheme, jobseekers should be at least 21 years old or, if aged 18-20 years, should have been out of formal education for two years. For others receiving qualifying payments, the minimum age requirement is 18 years. Besides, it is mandatory to have been receiving a qualifying payment for at least three months for further education, and this allowance is applicable only for full-time education options.
It’s noteworthy that students cannot simultaneously receive the Back to Education Allowance and a Susi grant. Consequently, it’s crucial for students to review the options and opt for the most appropriate one.
The Vocational Training Opportunity Scheme, managed by local ETBs, aims to facilitate education for unemployed people. Individuals who are 21 years old or more, unemployed, and have been recipients of certain social welfare payments for a minimum of six months are qualified to apply for the scheme.
Moreover, if individuals are on a course under a community training centre or Youthreach, they could be eligible for Further Education and Training (FET) allowance. Youthreach, a programme that primarily focuses on early-school leavers, offers an opportunity for them to further their education and earn a training allowance. This full-time course spans over two years and caters to 15 to 20-year-olds who have left school prematurely and are not working.
Community training centres, on the other hand, are autonomous community-based set-ups primarily focused on providing training and education for early school leavers aged between 16 and 21.
Programmes on offer cover a range of areas, including employability skills, inter-personal and workplace communication abilities, individual effectiveness, teamwork, career guidance, literacy, and numeracy aid. In combination with vocational training courses, these are usually full-time, lasting for a year, and result in significant qualifications at NFQ Levels 3 and 4.
According to the spokesperson, allowances like Back to Education, FET Training, VTOS Training, Youthreach Training, and Susi grants are taken into account in the means test calculation. Those receiving these funds will not have them included in the means test for the National Childcare Scheme.
Separately, individuals receiving certain types of welfare may be qualified to join a traineeship. Typically, these result in awards at NFQ Levels 4-6 or equivalent and last between six to 20 months. Traineeships blend classroom learning with on-job experience, enhancing the participants’ employment prospects and boosting business performance and retention. Eligible individuals must have legal residency in the State and hold a valid PPS number, and can continue to receive their social welfare payments whilst pursuing a traineeship.
There’s also the option of a Local Training Initiative Programme. These are work-based training and work experience schemes managed by community groups that mainly target unemployed individuals, particularly those aged 18-35 struggling to enter the workforce. These programmes aid a variety of initiatives across genealogy, environment, heritage, tourism, theatre, sports, and coaching sectors. Some projects are specifically designed for certain societal groups. The training leads to accreditation at NFQ Levels 3-5, with courses typically running full time throughout the year.
The spokesperson for LOETB’s adult guidance service highlighted that the apprenticeship pathway could be an option upon completing an ETB programme. Typically lasting two to four years, this route also presents the chance to earn while learning. Traditional craft apprenticeships are available, as well as degree apprenticeships in business, data analytics, sales, and logistics, which have been available since 2016.
Acquiring a Level 5 qualification in computer networks complemented by software could present opportunities for apprenticeships in fields such as software development, computer networking, or cybersecurity. Additionally, certain critical skills training programmes are on offer. These courses are typically conducted on a full-time basis for a period of six months and are tailored to fulfil the needs of multiple industry sectors, culminating in Level 4-6 accreditation on the NFQ.
Conversely, childcare can present a potential hurdle when pursuing education. Assistance in this matter can be received from The National Childcare Scheme. It offers subsidies to aid parents in managing the costs of early learning and care (for children aged 0-6) as well as school-age childcare. A universal subsidy is accessible to all families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years, whereas the income-evaluated subsidy is available to families with a net family income not exceeding €60,000 per annum.