The student journey

Higher Education is education that is provided by universities, technological universities and colleges of education, also known as HEIs or Higher Education Institutions. These institutions are mostly funded by the state. Further information is available here.(https://www.hotcoursesabroad.com/study-in-ireland/applying-to-university/about-irish-institutions/) Entry to higher education is through the CAO application system known as the Central Applications Office.(https://www.cao.ie/) The aim of the system is to process applications centrally and in a fair and efficient manner with participating institutions retaining the function of making decisions on admissions. While the CAO administers the system centrally, it is important to know that the decision to offer you a place is made by the institution that you apply to. Further Education is education which occurs after second level schooling but which is not part of the higher education or third level system. There are a number of providers of Further and Adult Education and Training throughout the country. One example is The Pathways Centre (https://www.facebook.com/PathwaysP/)in Dublin. Entry to further education is more straightforward. You can inquire at your local Education and Training Board (ETB) or you may be referred from another service. Contact details are available here.(https://www.etbi.ie/etbs/directory-of-etbs/) Higher and Further Education awards and qualifications In Ireland are awarded by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (https://www.qqi.ie/)(QQI). QQI awards start at Level 1 and continue on a scale to Level 10. You may have already completed some QQI awards. Higher education awards usually start at level 6. However, there are lower levels available through access and other programmes designed to encourage under-represented groups to consider higher education. Further education awards usually start at level 1 to level 6. Attending further education programmes can also be one of the pathways to higher education.

There are many student grants and student assistance funds available to enable entry and participate in higher and further education. The main financial support available for eligible students attending full-time Further and Higher education courses is the SUSI Grant .(http://www.susi.ie/) This grant is means tested and depending on your personal circumstances. • You may receive half (€1,500) or full (€3,000) Student Contribution. • You may receive a maintenance grant and full Student Contribution. Social Welfare Payments that are available to enable you to continue receiving social welfare payments while attending education. If you are parenting alone or have a disability and are getting certain other payments from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, you may take part in a Further or Higher Education courses and remain on your current payment. If you are on a Jobseekers payment you may be eligible for Back to Education Allowance.(https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/back_to_education/back_to_education_allowance.html) You need to contact your local social welfare (INTREO) office to check your eligibility before committing to your course. You cannot receive a Jobseekers payment while in full time education. You may also qualify for Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) if you attend part-time courses in further education centres.(link to BTEI) The 1916 Bursary Fund the purpose of this funding is to encourage participation and success by students from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education. It is open to full and part time students and tries to support students who have faced significant barriers to education. See 1916 Bursary.(https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/access-office/1916-Bursary-Fund) The Society of St Vincent de Paul Education and Training Bursary Fund supports students of all ages who may financially struggle to access or stay in third level education and training programmes. Uversity offers scholarships to Mature Students for assistance with the costs of their degree. Priority is given to full time students but other applications will be considered on a case by case basis. See Uversity(https://www.uversity.org/) The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is to assist Further and Higher education institutions in ensuring students with disabilities have the necessary assistance and equipment to enable them access, fully participate in and successfully complete their chosen course of study. Once the student has registered with the Disability Office they can be assessed for supports. There are many more Bursaries and Scholarships available to individuals attending college and are all available at (link to student finance.ie). It is also a good idea to check with your local Credit Union and other organisations that may offer scholarships.

Maynooth University and many other institutions have student budgeting advice to assist you with managing and budgeting your money for university. (link to Money matters) Student Assistance Fund. The fund can be used to help with college related expenses. It cannot be used for student fees but if you receive an award it can fee funds in your budget to pay your fees. To apply you book in to meet a Student Budgeting Advisor to discuss all possible financial supports to help you stay in your course. Student Emergency Fund. This is a fund to help students with sudden or unexpected expenses. To apply you book in to meet a Student Budgeting Advisor to discuss all possible financial supports to help you stay in your course. If an emergency appointment is needed just email the Student Budgeting Advice Service at student.budget@mu.ie(mailto:student.budget@mu.ie) Short Term Loan. This is assistance on the day for urgent needs. Students can borrow up to €50 cash on the day which needs to be repaid or food vouchers to help deal with the unexpected costs and do not need to be repaid. Students can apply at the Student Support Hub or through the Student Budgeting Advice Service.

One of the aims of this project is to promote a common approach to applicants with convictions across the higher and further education sector. At present, each institution has its own policy and process around the disclosure of criminal convictions. For many HEIs disclosure is only required in relation for certain categories of offence such as those against the person. Disclosure is also only required for unspent convictions.(https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/criminal_law/spent_convictions.html) It is very important to be aware that for all higher and further educational institutions having a criminal conviction does not automatically make you unsuitable to enrol. Contacting the Access Office of your chosen university to speak in confidence to a member of staff will enable you to obtain the best and most accurate advice on this question. What is Garda Vetting and how does it apply to me? Whether you go through Garda Vetting depends on the course to which you are applying. Some courses require students to undertake placements with external agencies which will require them to work with children and vulnerable adults. Students on these programmes must therefore complete the Garda vetting process before they are able to register. Examples of these programmes include: teaching, social work, social care, youth and community work, and some applied social science programmes. If you are applying for entry to a programme where Garda Vetting is a requirement you will be asked to complete a Garda Vetting Form (https://vetting.garda.ie/VettingProcedure/HowIsVettingConducted)which is then sent to the National Vetting Bureau. The application form is the same for all education and employment purposes. The form requires you to submit your name, date of birth and all addresses that you have lived in since birth. You will also be asked to disclose any convictions you may have. It is important to complete the Garda Vetting Form fully and honestly. Failure to disclose a conviction could be viewed as an attempt to deceive the institution in question. The National Vetting Bureau returns the form to the institution. Each institution will have its own policy and procedure for the Garda Vetting process. Any disclosure of a conviction is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and in complete confidence by the relevant institutions. Contacting the Access or Admissions Offices in your chosen institution to speak in confidence about any worries or concerns you may have will give you a clearer understanding of the Garda Vetting Process.

Returning to education, entering higher or further education, can seem and will be overwhelming at times. However, it is important to acknowledge that all students and not only you will experience feelings of doubt, fear and frustration at different stages through-out the journey. Students can feel overwhelmed for many different reason. They may be struggling academically, personally, financial or combine of all. All institutions will have a very wide range of supports to help students make the most of their time in college. Example of some of the supports available at Maynooth University and many other institutions: Library Support Moodle Support Maths Support Centre Academic Writing Centre Academic Advisory Office Student Health Centre Student Counselling Service Student Budgeting Advice Service To read more about more general supports available at Maynooth (Click here). All higher education institutions are now required to have access services and offices. This service is to support future and present students access and complete higher education. To embed accessibility and diversity issues into the culture of college. Widen participation so all groups in society are represented in student population. To work with the University so that students with specific access and support needs are treated equitably. To read more about the work and supports of MAP (Click here).

Course options and areas of study should be based on your interests, talents and what you wish to achieve from higher education. There is no limits on what you should do. Take time to consider all your options, go on to HEI websites, attend college open days. There is a huge amount of courses on offer to you (link to Maynooth study at Maynooth). The makeup of higher education thrives on the diversity of the student body and the success of educational institutions is built on the impact it has on the lives of people from all groups. First thing to do is contact the Access Office in your chosen higher education institution. This should ideally be done before applying for the course to ensure that the institution offers the supports and services you will need across the continuum of your education journey. You can also talk about subjects and supports, worries and concerns you may have to the team. Access Offices function to develop a holistic approach to supporting students and work to remove barriers to student participation within identified target groups at third level. If you are attending any services at the present, they may have a staff member who you can talk to also for advice.

If you are linked to or attending any services at present, they may be able to assist you in finding a suitable ETB for you to further you education. ETB also have a vast array of courses to attend and most have information on line. (Link to CDETB Further Education and Training | City of Dublin Education & Training Board (etb.ie) The Pathways Centre, The Bridge Project, Saol Project (women only). Some fantastic projects in Dublin. If you are involved with probation service they will have information on probation funded services that they may refer you to, speak to your probation officer. (link to Community Based Organisations Probation)

You can talk to ISM officer and ask about attending school. You can talk to any of the teachers in the school. You can talk to a the IASIO staff about further education and training available to you (link to GATE Service). Talk to a member of the Pathways Centre or other organisations that may offer advice, support and information within the prison.