Criteria

Q.  Does the EFB pay the full nett fee of the course?

A.  This depends on the amount and the applicant, as under each category there are limits for former residents and their relatives.  The categories are a) post-school and undergraduate, b) postgraduate, c) personal development and lifestyle, d) driving lessons and e) extra tuition, after-school programmes and summer courses.  For a former resident the maximum is €6000 a year towards the nett charge for category a) and a maximum of €6000 towards the nett charge for the normal length of the course for category b).  For relatives it is a maximum of €1500 a year where the nett charge is €3000 or less each year and half the nett charge, up to a maximum of €2000 a year, where the nett charge is more than €3000 a year for category a).  For category b), a maximum of €1500 per year where the nett charge is €3000 or less each year and half the nett charge, up to a maximum of €2500, where the nett charge is more than €3000 for the normal length of the course.  For category c) all applicants have a maximum of €1000 per year.  For category d) all applicants have a maximum of €40 per car driving lesson for 10 lessons, a maximum of €750 for 10 truck driving lessons, a maximum of €1000 for 10 coach driving lessons and a maximum of €1500 in Ireland for a driving instructor course and an appropriate contribution for a similar course oversees.  Former residents can apply for a further 10 lessons if their instructor confirms they require them and these will be funded as above.  For category e) there is a maximum of €30 an hour and €900 a year for extra tuition and after-school programmes and a maximum of €900 a year for summer courses and transition year expenses.  There are also overall personal limits that need to be taken into account.  For former residents the overall total is €15000, the overall total for relatives is €15000 and €5000 is the maximum that any one individual relative can access.

Q.   As a former resident if I don’t use my limit of €15000 can I transfer this amount to my relatives?

A.  These funds cannot be transferred to former residents’ relatives.

Q.  What courses are eligible?

A.  The courses that can be applied for must have recognised accreditation, be provided by a recognised provider or an accredited trainer of the nationally-recognised body.  Academic courses should ideally be provided by a publicly-funded institution.

Q.  Why do I need the PPS number and the qualifications of a tutor/instructor?

A.  As tutors and instructors operate privately we require confirmation that they are qualified in the area of provision.

Q.  If I receive a grant from the Local Authority or County Council can I also apply for funding to the EFB?

A.  If a grant is received it will cover the tuition fees so an application can be made for assistance.  This funding can be used for such expenses as travel and books.  It is €1600 per year for a full-time course and €600 per year for a part-time course.  This again is part of the overall limits.

Q.  What happens if I get late approval for a grant?

A.  If the Education Finance Board funds the tuition fees and afterwards a grant is received, the money reimbursed needs to be made payable to City of Dublin VEC and sent to us so that it can be lodged back to the Fund.