3 RD LEVEL GRANTS DEPARTMENT

1. 3RD LEVEL GRANTS DEPARTMENT WEBSITE: www.meathvec.ie Email: grants@meathvec.ie Telephone: 046-9068209

2. WHAT WE DO County Meath VEC look after the following Schemes on behalf of The Department of Education and Science • TLT Scheme – Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees – which generally applies to level 6 or level 7 Ordinary Degree/Certificate courses in the Institutes of Technology • VEC Scholarship Scheme – for Honours Degree Courses, Postgraduate Courses, BTEC approved HND and Honours Degree Courses in Northern Ireland and overseas Colleges. Postgraduate Courses are not covered in Colleges overseas • PLC Scheme – Post Leaving Certificate Scheme for FETAC approved level 5/6 courses

3. What do Meath County Council Do • HEG – For students who gain direct entry to Honours Degree Courses – students should apply to Meath County Council

4. However, Part Time courses, Courses in Private Colleges, Honours Degree Courses in PLC Colleges or Post Graduate Courses Overseas are not covered under any Maintenance Scheme.

5. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Those who meet the requirements of: • Residence • Age • Means • Nationality • Must secure a place on an approved full-time course in an approved college

6. MEANS TEST • Applicants are means tested on gross household income earned in 2010 We need to see 52 Weeks income

7. RECKONABLE INCOME LIMITS 2010 ** Full Student Service Charge is paid where income is at or below this level

8. CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES • If parents/students income is over the reckonable income limit and should a change in circumstance occur that is likely to be permanent, students may apply to have their grant application reassessed –P.45 and current income details should be submitted.

9. Payment of Grant • VEC SCHOLARSHIPS – Paid by VEC in three equal instalments. Cheques are payable to student and sent to Bursar’s Office of the College. • PLC COURSES – Paid by VEC monthly in arrears and subject to satisfactory participation and attendance on the PLC Course. Meath VEC will pay students attending colleges in Meath. Students attending college in other counties will be paid by the VEC governing that county. • TLT SCHEME – the grant is paid by the College in monthly instalments in arrears.

10. MAINTENANCE GRANT RATES

11. SPECIAL RATE OF MAINTENANCE GRANT For the award of a Special Rate of Maintenance Grant in respect of 2010/2011 academic year, a candidate’s reckonable income (for the period 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009, the tax year 2009) shall not exceed: €22,703 net of standard exclusions and net of Child Dependent Increase and must include an eligible social welfare payment on 31st December 2009. All grant applications are automatically assessed for eligibility.

12. Submitting your Application Form • Must include documentary evidence to support any information you have provided • Must submit original documents • It is your responsibility to submit all the documents we need. • You may be asked to submit more information or evidence in order to assess your grant. • Contact your VEC/LA if you need help. • Complete checklist on Page 16.

13. Websites • www.studentfinance.ie – a comprehensive guide to Third Level Grants/download application form and Final Acceptance Forms • www.meathvec.ie • www.meath.ie • www.education.ieand follow the links to (Home>Students&Trainees>Financial Support Schemes) • www.revenue.ie – a quick and easy way to deal with your tax affairs using PAYE Self Service