State (Government) Funding

  1. VTOS             (Voluntary Training Opportunities Scheme) 
  2. IPS Scheme  (International Protection Student Scheme) 
  3. SUSI             (Student Universal Support Ireland) 
  4. BTEA            (Back To Education Allowance)

(a) VTOS (Voluntary Training Opportunities Scheme)

- for Protection Applicants & People with Stamp 4

  • You need to be 21+ years old & you apply to this scheme in order to have your fees paid by the state - (€200 - €300) for level 5/6. 
  • Protection Applicants - You need a TRC (blue IPO) card AND a Work Permit in order to apply.
  • Refugee stamp 4 holders - you need an IRP card AND 6 months on jobseekers allowance or similar social welfare. 
  • You apply to this scheme by going to the VTOS Coordinator in your college of further education, they will register you on their system and ask you to complete an F103 form.  
  • If approved, your fees are paid for by the state, you receive a small weekly travel allowance, and you continue to receive your €38.80 weekly payment if you are a protection applicant or a training allowance similar to your social welfare payment if you have stamp 4 refugee status. 
  • You cannot be on jobseekers allowance while in full-time education.  
  • Further information here -  https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/returning_to_education/vocational_training_opportunities_scheme.html

(b) IPS Scheme (International Protection Student Scheme)

- for Protection Applicants only

 The International Protection Student Scheme is for people who are currently in the protection process seeking asylum (but not on a deportation order). 

Since 2022 the International Protection Student Scheme has been administered by SUSI (the state awarding authority for student grants).  NOW OPEN FOR 2023 APPLICATIONS. Click on the link above or the graphic below.  Apply ASAP in order to get approval quickly, although closing date is 30 November.

 Are you eligible for the IPS Scheme? 

  1. You must have applied for protection in Ireland three years before the start date of your course. 
  2. Your income for the previous year must not exceed stated levels.
  3. You must be undertaking an approved course in an approved college/university. 
  4. You must be progressing in your education. 
  5. You need to be an International Protection applicant & not at deportation stage. 

Click on the logo/picture below for more information.

 

 (c) SUSI  (Student Universal Support Ireland)

- for People with Stamp 4

SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is the same as the IPS Scheme but it is for Irish citizens and refugees with stamp 4.  Not all stamp 4 are eligible – see HERE for full details.  Most commonly people with refugee status, subsidiary protection or permission to remain under section 49 of the 2015 Act are eligible.  

 Are you eligible for SUSI? 

  1. You must be resident in Ireland for three years before the start date of your course. 
  2. Your income for the previous year must not exceed stated levels. 
  3. You must be undertaking an approved course in an approved college/university. 
  4. You must be progressing in your education. 
  5. For SUSI – you need a stamp 4 

Click on the logo/picture below for more information.

 

 Important dates – (exact dates will be published on their website when available) 

  • March - open for renewal applications (those continuing to 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year) 
  • April - open for new applications (those entering 1st year) 
  • June - priority closing date for renewal applications 
  • July - priority closing date for new applications 
  • November - normal closing date for all applications 

You can apply later if you had a very specific change of circumstance – this could be income related or a change in your immigration status – see HERE for full details about that. 

(d) BTEA (Back To Education Allowance)

- for People with Stamp 4

  • You need to be 18+ years old (or 24+ for postgraduate study & limited to certain masters). This does not cover fees, it is a maintenance / living allowance to help you pay rent, food, etc. 
  • You need Stamp 4 Refugee status / Permission to remain to be eligible for this payment. 
  • You need to have been on a social welfare payment for 9+ months if attending Higher Education (levels 7+) or for 3+ months if attending Further Education (levels 1-6).  
  • You can apply for this payment if you receive your stamp 4 during your course because the Daily Expense Allowance (€38.80) counts towards the 3+ or 9+ months.  
  • You cannot have BTEA and VTOS at the same time because they both pay a living allowance / maintenance.
  • You cannot receive Jobseekers Allowance while in full-time education. 
  • If you have a stamp 4 try VTOS first as that will pay your fees and you can keep your social welfare / training allowance.  
  • There is a Part-Time Education Option (PTEO) available. (details below under useful websites).

Click on the picture below to go to the government website with full details. 

Towards the end of "3. Criteria of these Guidelines," you will see a section starting with:

“Applicants for International Protection entitlements to BTEA  

Applicants for International Protection who are studying full-time (including those previously supported through the Sanctuary Programmes) and who go on to receive their stamp 4 (permission to remain) after the commencement of the academic year are entitled to apply for BTEA. This extends applications for BTEA to Protection Applicants who have commenced studying prior to receiving their permission to remain (stamp 4), from the date that they have received this permission (or commencement of an academic year)….” 

 Some Useful Web Pages  

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Author: Wendy Muperi

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