Youth Work Ireland Monaghan Youth Information Service is encouraging this year’s prospective students to apply now for a maintenance grant and not to wait until the last minute. “Many students take a break after their Leaving Cert and don’t want to think about college for awhile but it is imperative that they get going on their application as there are a number of documents they need,” commented Melissa Mackin of Youth Work Ireland Monaghan Youth Information Service.

To be eligible for financial assistance under the student grant schemes, applicants must be entering an approved full-time course in an approved institution. They must also satisfy the eligibility conditions for the relevant scheme which include age, nationality, residence, academic progression and means. This year the rules about residence have changed. From 2010 there is a new requirement that you must have lived in Ireland for three of the previous five years.

The form is available in the three youth information centres in Castleblayney, Carrickmacross and Monaghan and they are also available from the awarding bodies Monaghan VEC and the Monaghan County Council. A new feature introduced this year is that you can download the student grant application form for 2010/2011 from www.studentfinance.ie. Students must apply to the local authority or VEC in their home area, not the area where the college is located. Return the completed application form as soon as possible as the closing date is 31 August 2010.

When students have accepted their place on a course, they will need to fill in the course acceptance form that applies to them and return it to the County Council or VEC where they applied for a maintenance grant. Those applying for the grant who have difficulty with the form or are unsure of any part of the application, are invited to call into any of the three Youth Information Centres in County Monaghan.

Youth Work Ireland-Monaghan’s Youth Information Service is part-funded by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The service is free and confidential and no appointment is necessary. Youth Work Ireland Monaghan Youth Information is also on Facebook and on the following websites www.youthinformation.ie, www.youthworkireland.ie/monaghan.

Castleblayney YIC, York St., Dublin Road - 042 9751979

Carrickmacross YIC, 2 O’Neill Street - 042 9661404

Monaghan YIC, 1A Dawson House, Dawson Street - 047 77907