Page 18 - 2021 Education Book

VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme
• Applicable to people holding Labour Market Access Permission (Work Permit)
• Applicable to people with status
• VTOS is applicable to people over 21 years old
• You must be in receipt of social welfare benefits for 6 months or have a work permit in order
to apply to VTOS
• You will need to apply to your local College/Training Centre – ask to speak to their VTOS
Coordinator and explain that you would like to apply for VTOS
• The courses are full-time (up to 30 hours per week) for one or two years
• It offers Junior & Leaving Certificate and QQI awards at Levels 3 to 6
• If approved, all your fees are free and you will receive a small weekly allowance towards
travel/food if you are a Protection Applicant
• If you have status and are doing a PLC course on VTOS you are not eligible for the SUSI
maintenance grant, however you will continue to receive your social welfare payment, i.e.
Training Allowance (similar to Jobseekers Allowance)
• Time spent on Further Education & Training / Community Enterprise Scheme / Youthreach /
Jobs Initiative / may count towards social welfare qualifying periods
• Courses can be found at FetchCourses
• See Citizens Information and GOV.IE for further information.
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
• Applicable to people with status
• BTEA provides funding for second and third level education
• You must be over age 18 (older in certain circumstances, e.g. postgraduates)
• Normally, you must secure a full-time course place before applying for BTEA - but this does
not apply to Protection Applicants who receive their status mid-course - you can apply for
BTEA after starting your course.
• Normally, to receive the allowance for 3rd level education you need to have been in receipt
of qualifying social welfare payments for 9 months (234 days)
• The €38 Daily Expense Allowance received while in Direct Provision is considered eligible for
the qualifying period, as is JobSeekers Allowance.
• See the section entitled ‘Protection Applicants’ entitlements to BTEA’ •
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All information is for guidance only, it is not complete and any errors are unintentional. Please consult the relevant websites for accurate information
If you have a dependent child, you can get an annual Cost of Education Allowance of €500.
See also Part-Time Education Option (PTEO)