1. Guidance Counsellor BA MSC PGGC PGDE Guidance Department St. Augustine’s College Dungarvan.

2. As You Take the Next Step Forward! A look at the key issues this year including Dates and Deadlines [Ireland and abroad] – (Handout given in last lecture) CAO Applications/points system/offers Cost of living away from home Student Supports – Grants, Access Schemes, Scholarships, Disability Non CAO route -FETAC Progression Schemes Other non CAO options –Working/Apprenticeship Study Skills / Goal Setting/ Parental support Stress Guidance Department

3. CAO Points System CAO POINTS SYSTEM Points are calculated from ONE sitting of the Leaving Certificate only. Points total is calculated from SIX best subjects Entry Requirements (e.g. Pass in Maths and English) can be satisfied over more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate- with some exceptions –e.g. Medicine Guidance Department

4. Points System – the best 6 GradeHonoursOrdinary A110060 A29050 B18545 B28040 B37535BEST C17030 6 C26525 C36020SUBJECTS D15515 D25010 D3455 bonus points in higher maths – 25 extra points Guidance Department

5. How the points are calculated Guidance Department

6. The Cost of Living Away From Home DIT COLLEGE COST monthly Rent 286 Fuel/elect/food200 Books/stationery64 Entertainment119 Travel93 Mobile 29 Clothes/medical41 Total per month€830 Total for 9 months€7,470 Overall 7,470 (away) or 3,789 (living at home) Additional costs: Registration Fees approx: €2,500 Guidance Department

7. What Supports are Available? 1. GRANTS - Financial 2. H.E.A.R. Scheme -Access 3. REACH Programme - Access 4. Millennium Partnership Fund for Disadvantage – Financial 5. Other Scholarships 6. D.A.R.E. Scheme – Access/disability Guidance Department

8. 1. Grants From this year applications are completed online at SUSI –Student Universal Support Ireland Check out studentfinance.ie website for more information Guidance Department So how much do students get? Max Min 5,915305 Most students 3,0251,215

9. 3. REACH PROGRAMME ACCESS TO WIT only This is an access programme run by WIT. Its objective is to increase participation rates at WIT by students who may lack economic or social supports. Criteria: 1. Be a child of parents in receipt of social welfare 2. Be a single parent 3. Other extenuating circumstances – low family income, must apply for grant Student Supports: Induction courseFinancial assistance Additional tuitionBook vouchers MentoringTravel/childcare subsidy Closing date: April 2013 [date to be confirmed] Students must get 200 points (minimum) and fulfil the entry requirements for the course of choice Guidance Department

10. 4. Millennium Partnership Fund for Disadvantage This is a locally administered fund to assist students from disadvantaged areas attend further education. Application forms are available from Waterford Area Partnership. A local committee selects the students who receive support. Guidance Department

11. 5. Some Scholarships SIPTU – for children of SIPTU members, €1000 Credit Union – John Hume, Business –WIT Foley Scholarship – Architecture – €8000 Sports Scholarships – check with college Entrance scholarships – awarded to best students Irish Taxation Institute Scholarship – taxation Science Foundation Ireland/DELL Scholarship –young women in engineering – engineering degrees – €2000 NUI Equal Opportunities Scheme - €1625 All Ireland Scholarship Scheme – 120 top LC students, open to medical card holders Details of all schemes on studentfinance.ie Guidance Department

12. Financial Documentation needed if pursuing Grants/Hear Etc.. Parents are encouraged to collect in a file all the financial documentation that will be needed. The following are often requested: P60 for year ended P21 for year ended Self-employed: copy of accounts for the past 2 years Social Welfare recipient: statement from local office showing total amounts received for the year ended An original birth cert may also be requested Guidance Department

13. Supports In Summary Students are encouraged to look at all these schemes and put the time and effort into applying if they feel they are eligible. HEAR /DARE forms are completed as part of the online CAO process (students NOT the school send them off) REACH forms [WIT] will be completed between Jan and March Completed REACH Forms to be returned to your Guidance Counsellor (sent by the school to WIT) Scholarship applications are usually returned to the college/Institute Grant forms are completed in the summer online and supporting documents are returned to the SUSI office [ note: they are not returned to school ] Guidance Department

14. So if CAO is not for you or you need a back up plan: FETAC Progression Routes – Further Education (PLC) FETAC level 5 or 6 In 2013 there are 40 HEI’s offering places to FETAC applicants Scheme 1: FETAC LINKS Scheme: Specific FETAC level 5 and 6 courses are linked to reserved places on specific higher education programmes Scheme 2: PILOT Scheme Most courses are open to students to apply for on the PILOT scheme through the CAO process. Mainly with the Institutes of Technology. Students can achieve up to 400 CAO points from their FETAC level 5 course to compete for entry alongside the other Leaving Cert applicants (this is calculated on their best 8 FETAC modules) For more information look up fetac.ie website Guidance Department

15. The Non CAO Options Private colleges – apply directly, fees... UK/International colleges – UCAS..fees... FAS – apply directly on leaving school PLC e.g. WCFE (formerly CTI) – apply directly Internship schemes - apply directly Training Bodies – apply directly Work!...ARE THERE ANY JOBS?? Year off!.....GAP YEAR.... Travel!..SAVE THE TURTLES... Repeat!! Hopefully not!! For all options check out qualifax.ie website Guidance Department

16. Websites: www.qualifax.ie www.studentfinance.ie www.cao.ie www.ucas.co.uk www.accesscollege.ie www.careersportal.ie Guidance Department

17. Best of luck in the year ahead and happy studying!!! E.Moore Guidance Department