Financial Supports 

Student Financial Support

THE RANGE OF SCHEMES AND MEASURES AVAILABLE TO ASSIST STUDENTS IN FURTHER EDUCATION COLLEGES INCLUDES THE:

  • Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)

  • Back To Education Allowance (BTEA)

  • Maintenance Grant Scheme

  • Fund For Students With Disabilities

  • Other Funding

Student finance.ie provides comprehensive and user-friendly information on the range of financial support schemes and programmes available to full-time further and higher education students.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES SCHEME (VTOS)

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) offers eligible participants the opportunity to return to full-time education while retaining their full social welfare entitlements together with a meal and in certain cases, a travel allowance.

There are a limited number of VTOS places in Sallynoggin College of Further Education. Applications are processed on a first come basis.

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR VTOS?

To apply for VTOS you must be at least 21 years of age by the course start date and

  • getting one of the following payments for at least 6 months (156 days) and still receiving a payment immediately before the course start date: Job Seeker’s Benefit, Job Seeker’s Allowance, One-Parent Family Payment, Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Deserted Wife’s Benefit/Allowance, Widow’s/Widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory or Non-Contributory Pension, Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance or Blind Person’s Pension

                              OR

  • signing for credits for at least 6 months (156 days) before the course start date

                              OR

  • are a registered Dependent Spouse/Civil Partner/cohabitant of a person eligible to participate in VTOS for at least 6 months before the course start date

                              OR

  • have been made redundant and have received a statutory redundancy payment. You should have received Form RP50 from your former employer.  You do not have to wait 6 months before applying for VTOS.

Note: Time spent on FET training courses, Youthreach, Community Employment Schemes, JobBridge, Tús, Carer’s Allowance and time in prison can count towards the 6 month qualifying period.  However, you must be receiving a social welfare payment immediately before starting VTOS.

In addition to your social welfare entitlements, which you retain, you will also be entitled to:

  • Meal allowances

  • Travel allowances (if you live more than three miles from the Institute)

In addition

  • Books and course materials will be provided for the duration of the course

  • Course and exam fees will be paid for you

VTOS gives eligible adults the opportunity to:

  • Return to full time education without losing benefit

  • Develop new skills

  • Gain certification at a range of levels

  • Find employment

The courses provided under the scheme are full-time and may be up to two years in duration.

The main objectives of the scheme are to:

  • Give participants education and training opportunities which will enhance their employability.

  • Prepare participants for paid employment or to further opportunities leading to paid employment.

CONTACT INFORMATION

A prospective VTOS student may enrol for any course advertised in the Institute brochure.  Further information is available on the Department of Social Protection’s website www.welfare.ie or from your local Department of Social Protection office or from the Institute’s VTOS Coordinator (reception@scfe.ie).

BACK TO EDUCATION ALLOWANCE

The Back to Education Allowance is an educational opportunities scheme for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities.

The allowance is payable to successful participants who wish to pursue approved second or third level courses of study. BTEA is not an unemployment payment. Participants receive a standard rate of payment which is not means tested.

Further information is available on the Department of Social Protection’s website www.welfare.ie or contact your local Department of Social Protection office for further details.

DISABILITY FUNDING (FUND FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES)

The Fund for Students with Disabilities aims to assist students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties to participate in Further Education. It provides grants towards the provision of services and the purchase of equipment for students with disabilities attending courses in Further Education.

It is funded by the Irish Government and part funded by the European Social Fund under the Human Capital Investment Operational Programme.

For more information about Learning and Disability Supports in SCFE see https://www.scfe.ie/learning-and-disability-support/