Q. How is the maintenance grant paid?
If you are awarded the Higher Education Grant, a letter will issue from our department. This letter should be stamped by the college and returned to Donegal County Council before a payment will be issued.
The maintenance grant is paid in three equal instalments. The grant is paid by cheque and is sent to the FINANCE OFFICE, at the institution where the student is attending. The student must have a student ID card in order to collect his/her cheque at the Finance Office.
Q. Can I have my grant award paid in euro if I am attending an institution in Northern Ireland or abroad?
Students pursuing approved courses in other EU Member States (including Northern Ireland) should be paid the value of the grant in the currency of the country in which they are studying unless they indicate that they wish to have their grant paid in Euro. In the case of a non-euro currency, the conversion rate shall be that prevailing on the date of conversion.
Q. Tell me about the Student Registration Fee.
The Student Registration Fee is only levied by institutions in the Republic of Ireland, in respect of students pursing undergraduate courses. The fee for the 2010/2011 academic year is €2,000.00.
If the College/University invoice you for this fee and a decision has not been made on your application, you may pay this fee directly to the Finance Office. When you are approved grant assistance, you should show your approval letter to the institution and ask them to invoice us directly. Once we have paid this fee, the institution will refund you.
Q. Do I need to re-apply for a grant each year?
Normally, students do not need to re-apply each year. However, in certain cases applications may be re-assessed and students may be requested to submit income details. These students will be informed by Donegal County Council of this requirement.
Q. How is my grant renewed?
The Council will send out a Renewal Application Form and requests your end of year examination results. If you pass your exams and are progressing to the next year of your course, your grant award is automatically renewed and will be paid as normal.
If you have to repeat an exam in the autumn, you should wait and send the final results together with your renewal form to the Council as soon as possible.
Q. Can I obtain a grant to repeat a year of study?
A repeat grant is only paid in exceptional circumstances, such as certified serious illness. Contact the Council directly if you wish to apply for a repeat grant.
Q. Can I defer my grant award?
If you apply for a grant and decide not to take up your place in college, you will need to make a new application to the Council again.
Q. Are field trip fees payable?
Compulsory field trip fees may be paid, subject to certain conditions. You should submit an official invoice from the institution and a letter to confirm that the field trip is a compulsory part of your course. In all cases, we require receipts etc to back-up the amount of expenses being claimed. Payment, if approved, will be made to the institution you are attending.
Q. Can I still get my grant assistance while I am on placement?
If the placement is a compulsory part of your course, your grant award will be paid in the normal manner. You should submit a letter from the institution to confirm same. The letter must indicate whether or not you are getting paid for the placement. Your maintenance grant will continue to be paid to you at the institution. Please make arrangements with the College/University you are attending in order for your cheque to be sent home or forwarded to your placement.