BUDGET 2011 How it affects you
My Grant
The amount you recieve will be cut by 4%, effective immediately. This includes the 2nd and 3rd installments of the Grant for this year. The distance you must travel to qualify for the non-adjacent rate has almost doubled. From 2011/12 students must now travel 45km instead of 24km to recieve the higher rate. This will include students already in receipt of the grant, and takes effect from the beginning of the 2011/2012 year. There will be a new income band taken into account. Students with family incomes between €51,381 and €55,920 will qualify to have 50% of their Reg fee paid. Levels of Grant (Non-adjacent)
2010/11 Rate
2010/11 After Budget
Difference
Proposed 2011/12 Rate
SSC Only
SSC Only
SSC Only
SSC Only
Level 2 - 25% Maintenance
€810
€783
-€27
€778
Level 3 - 50% Maintenance
€1,625
€1,571
-€54
€1,560
Level 4 - 75% Maintenance
€2,435
€2,354
-€81
€2,338
Level 5 - 100% Maintenance
€3,250
€3,143
-€107
€3,120
Level 6 - 100% Maintenance + Special Rate
€6,355
€6,145
-€210
€6,101
2010/11 Rate
2010/11 After Budget
Difference
Proposed 2011/12 Rate
SSC Only
SSC Only
SSC Only
SSC Only
Level 2 - 25% Maintenance
€330
€319
-€11
€317
Level 3 - 50% Maintenance
€650
€629
-€21
€624
Level 4 - 75% Maintenance
€980
€948
-€32
€941
Level 5 - 100% Maintenance
€1,300
€1,257
-€43
€1,248
Level 6 - 100% Maintenance + Special Rate
€2,545
€2,461
-€84
€2,443
Level 1 - No Maintenance
Levels of Grant (Adjacent) Level 1 - No Maintenance
The Reg Fee
The Student Services Charge, or Reg fee, is set to rise to €2,000. This rise only applies to the first child in a family paying the SSC at any one time. Additional children will pay the current €1,500 charge. From 2011/12 the charge will be renamed the “Student Contribution”. USI is working hard to ensure that this charge will be payable in installments.
Where I study
Your place of study will recieve a 7% reduction in income this year, including a 5% reduction in its non-pay budget. This will directly affect the provision of frontline services, such as your Library and Student Health service.
Mature Students
Mature students will no longer automatically qualify for the non-adjacent rate of the grant, and will have to also meet new criteria (Having a place of residence over 45km from place of study). This change effects both new and existing applicants.
PLC Charges
A new charge of €200 will be introduced for students in PLC courses. This charge will be paid by the exchequer on behalf of students in receipt of grants or the BTEA.
Graduate Employment
It has been announced that a graduate internship programme is to be launched in the public and community/voluntary sectors creating 15,000 graduate placements. The programme is much in line with USI’s proposals on graduate employment. Further details are expected in the coming days. Check www.usi.ie or www.gmitsu.ie.
What isn’t clear?
What has not been made clear in the budget is how the Student Assistance Fund is going to be affected for 2011/12. USI has sought clarification and is waiting on a response. Your local Students’ Union will keep you updated on any developments as soon as they are confirmed. If you have any queries about the budget, and how if affects you, contact your local Students’ Union. They provide a range of services to help you through your time in education, and may be able to assist you in recieving financial supports.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION: Colin Canny GMIT SU President Email: supresident@gmit.ie Phone: 091-742055 / 086-3473284 Joe O’Connor GMIT SU Vice President & Welfare Officer Email: suvpresident@gmit.ie Phone: 091-742316 / 087-2191862
Tell Your TD!
Third level education is under serious threat in the budget this December. Possible increases in the Registration Fee and reductions in the grant would put third-level education beyond the reach of many. Please tell your elected representatives that you think it’s important to preserve access to third level education in the next budget.
The www.tellyourtd.com website allows you to send a letter to your TDs stating that education should be protected in Budget 2011. All you have to do is fill out your name and address and the Union of Students in Ireland will look after the rest! It only takes a few seconds! Your constituency is the location where you are currently registered to vote (or where you will be registered to vote in the future). www.tellyourtd.com