Louth County Council administers the Higher Education Grants scheme.The scheme which is revised each year is for students who intend to pursue undergraduate courses and postgrads in 3rd level colleges and Universities in Ireland undergrad courses in other European Union member states.
Higher Education Grants 2009/2010
Download Maintenance Grant Application Form 2009/2010Higher Education Scheme 2009.Higher Education Grant Scheme 2009 (Irish Version)2009 - PAYE On-Line P21 Form Information2009 - PAYE On-Line P21 Form Information - IrishSA1 - Final Course Acceptanace Form 2009/10 for undergraduate courses in EU Member states (excluding Ireland)FA1 - Final Course Acceptance Form 2009/10 for undergraduate or postgraduate courses in IrelandFrequently Asked Questions 2009/10Higher Education Grants Presentation 2006Change of Circumstances Clause in 2009/10 Scheme
CLAUSE 8: CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES
8.1 The eligibility of a person to whom this Scheme applies for the award of a grant, or the level of the grant awarded, may be assessed or re-assessed by the Local Authority in the event of changes of circumstances relating to the following:
- a) the candidate's reckonable income, within the meaning of Clause 4, which is likely to be permanent (i.e. likely to obtain for the duration of the approved course or for the foreseeable future);
- b) the number of dependent children;
- c) the number of children
- (i) in full-time third level education;
- (ii) attending a recognised PLC course, student nurse training or student Garda training;
- (iii) participating in a Fáilte Ireland (formerly known as CERT) course of at least one year's duration;
- (iv) attending a full-time Teagasc course in Agricultural College;
- (v) attending a recognised full-time further education course, of at least one year's duration, in Northern Ireland;
- d) normal residence;
- e) Nationality, where the candidate becomes an Irish National or the national of another EU Member State.
8.2 The income limits applicable under this Scheme in cases under clause 8.1(a) or (b) or (c) above shall be those of the scheme of the year in which the change of circumstances occurs.
8.3 Where an adverse change in the reckonable income occurs awards or adjustments in cases assessed under this clause shall normally be made with effect from the college term in which the change in circumstances occurs.
8.4 Where a positive change in reckonable income occurs during an academic year, any grant awarded shall continue to be paid until the end of that academic year. However such grant-holders shall be re-assessed before the grant is renewed for the following academic year.
8.5 The amount of the lecture fee, student services charge and maintenance elements of the grant payable in respect of a college term shall be one-third of the annual rate.
Proposed Changes to 2010 Scheme
The Minister has announced a number of important changes as follows, for the 2010/11 academic year at this point, so that students and their families are notified well in advance and have reasonable time to prepare:
Inclusion of Back to Education Allowance as reckonable income
It is proposed that, from 2010 certain social welfare payments (principally the Back to Education Allowance), previously excluded for means testing purposes, would be included as reckonable income in assessing eligibility for student grants.
Inclusion of Farm Stock Relief as reckonable income
It is proposed from 2010, to address an anomaly under which Farm Stock Relief is currently discounted from gross income for means testing purposes.
Extension of the residency requirement
It is also proposed to extend the residency requirement for grant eligibility from 1 year to 3 of the last 5 years.
Extend the break in studies requirement from 1 year to 3 years
It is also proposed to extend the break in studies requirement for re-entry as an independent mature student from 1 year to 3 years.