South

If you are in training or education in Ireland, you may be eligible for various training and support payments.

• The Department of Social Protection website outlines a number of ways that you can return to full-time or part-time education while continuing to get income support. For further information please visit the Department of Social Protection website –Get financial supports for training or education.
• Back to education allowance – If you are unemployed, parenting alone or have a disability and are getting certain payments from the Department of Social Protection (DSP), you may attend a second-or third-level education course and get the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). The weekly Allowance is paid at a standard rate and is not means-tested. However, the increase you get for a qualified adult may be means-tested if your spouse/partner has earnings. BTEA is only paid for approved courses that start in Ireland or in Northern Ireland. However, you can be paid BTEA for a year abroad (for example, under the Erasmus scheme) if the year is an integral or mandatory part of your courseFor further information please visit Citizens Information – Back to education allowance
• The Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) provides a range of courses to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people. If you are over 21 years of age, unemployed and have been getting certain social welfare payments for at least 6 months you can apply for the VTOS scheme.   For further information please visit Citizens Information – Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme

See also:

• Citizens Information – Returning to education

North

• If you are in training or education in Northern Ireland, you may be eligible for various training and support payments.  You could get financial help towards the costs of your course, and related costs like travel and childcare. The help you can get will depend on a range of factors – including your personal circumstances and the course you’re doing.
• For more information see:
• Education Maintenance Allowance
• Extra help for students with children – Childcare Grant and Parents’ Learning Allowance
• Further Education Support Funds
• Grants and bursaries

For further information please visit – nidirect – Help with learning costs

See also:

• www.studentfinanceni.co.uk

Page last checked: January 2022

This webpage is for general information purposes only and while we endeavour to keep it up-to-date, errors may occur. It is very important that you check with the relevant body to ensure the information is current and is applicable to your situation.

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