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Monthly Archives: April 2012
SpanishHackers
An interactive video drama and Spanish course
Mi Vida Loca takes you on an intrigue mystery adventure to Madrid and beyond in 22 episodes, ca 10 min each, covering basic learning points for Spanish absolute beginners.
A learning section complements each episode. Go through the vocabulary and grammar in more detail and at your own pace, then complete activities for practice.
MathsHackers
CoderDojos – Coding in Kinsale/ Cork
CoderDojo is a movement orientated around running free not-for-profit coding clubs and regular sessions for young people.
At a CoderDojo, young people learn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and more. Dojos are set up, run by and taught at by volunteers. Dojos organise tours of technology companies, bring in guest speakers to talk about their career and what they do, and organise events. In addition to learning to code, members meet like minded people, show off what they’ve been working on and so on. CoderDojo makes development and learning to code a fun, sociable, kick ass experience. CoderDojo also puts a strong emphasis on open source and free software, and has a strong network of members and volunteers globally.
CoderDojo has just one rule: “Above All: Be Cool“, bullying, lying, wasting people’s time and so on is uncool.
To join a CoderDojo, please find your nearest one from this list, or help set one up one!
VI – StudentFinance.ie
New Grant Applications for 2012-13
A new ONLINE ONLY grant applications system is being introduced for 2012. All new applications will be made online to a single awarding authority, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) through http://www.studentfinance.ie
When can I make my grant application?
The details of the 2012 Student Grant Scheme are due to be announced in May and the SUSI online application system will be available from that date. You can continue to check http://www.studentfinance.ie for information and updates in the meantime.
How do I make my grant application?
As soon as the online application system opens for the 2012/13 academic year, you will be able to register online with SUSI and then complete the online application form. The online application facility will be available through http://www.studentfinance.ie/. Remember, it will NOT be necessary to have received an offer of a college place or to be enrolled in college in order to apply online.
eckonable Income limits for the Maintenance & Fee Grants 2012.
Types of Grant: Grants can cover fulltime third level and FETAC 5/6 courses.
Maintenance grants are payments to students to cover the costs of participating in education. From September 2012 they will be made on a pro-rata monthly basis directly into a students bank account.
Fee grants are a once-off payment of €2,500 (from Sept 2012) paid on behalf of an eligible student directly to the college to cover the student registration charge. Fee grants can, in some cases cover other charges associated with education at the discretion of SUSI.
Family income limits
The means test for a maintenance or fee grant in 2012/2013 is based on your family’s income for the previous full tax year (2011). The income limits for a maintenance grant are set out below.
| Number of Dependent Children | Full Maintenance | Part Maintenance (75%) | Part Maintenance (50%) | Part Maintenance (25%) | Exempt from student contribution | *Exempt from 50% student contribution |
| Less than 4 | €41,110 | €42,235 | €44,720 | €47,205 | €51,380 | €55,920 |
| 4 to 7 | €45,165 | €46,415 | €49,145 | €51,880 | €56,460 | €61,440 |
| 8 or more | €49,045 | €50,400 | €53,360 | €56,320 | €61,295 | €66,700 |
* Full student contribution is paid where income is at or below this level.
Other family members in college: The income limits are increased if more than one family member is in college. See www.studentfinance.ie for more details.
Application Process: Students will apply online to SUSI giving details of their circumstances. SUSI will make an initial assessment of eligibility and will contact the student for documentation to support their claim.
Documentation required for the grant can include:
• Birth Cert.
• Residency & Proof of Address.
• DSP (Social Welfare) or HSE cert of income for the previous tax year.
• P60, P45, P21 PAYE Balancing Statement.
• Pension entitlement info
• Income from employment including self –employment
• Details of pension or redundancy lump sums.
• Gifts, Inheritances, Income from Land or other property.
• Any other source of income
Rates of Grant
| Non-Adjacent Rate | Adjacent Rate | |
| Full Maintenance | €3,025 | €1,215 |
| Part Maintenance (75%) | €2,270 | €940 |
| Part Maintenance (50%) | €1,515 | €605 |
| Part Maintenance (25%) | €755 | €315 |
The non adjacent rate is only paid to students whose chosen course is more than 45km from their normal residence. This applies to all students including mature students.
Special Rate of Maintenance Grant
Disadvantaged students who meet a number of conditions can qualify for special rates of the maintenance grant.
| Special Rate of Grant | Total Grant |
| Non-Adjacent | €5,915 |
| Adjacent | €2,377 |
In order to be eligible for these ‘top-up’ rates, your reckonable income must be at or below a certain limit, (in 2011 the limit was €22,703), and must also include at least one of a range of social welfare payments including Jobseekers Allowance, Jobseekers Benefit and One-Parent Family Payment. Disability payments may also be included.
IV & V – NUI Galway Open Day
Our next Open Day
NUI Galway’s next Open Day is Saturday, 28th April, 2012, 10am to 3pm.
We organise the days for students who are considering NUI Galway. You can
- speak to lecturers and students
- find out all about the courses you are interested in
- explore the campus
Book your place
If you’d like to take part in our next Open Day, you should register:
If you have any questions about Open Day, you can call us on 353 (0)91 494145
or 353 (0)91 494124
VI – CIT CAO Info Evening
Still have some CAO info questions?
CIT Schools Liaison Office will hold a CAO Applicant Information Evening on Thursday 26th April from 6-8pm for Leaving Certificate students who have applied for courses at CIT and still have questions or who may be contemplating “Change of Mind” options.
This will take place in the Common Room of the Student Centre on the Institute’s Bishopstown Campus.
You will have the opportunity to:
- learn more about your chosen course
- take a tour of the campus & facilities
- obtain information on accommodation
- avail of information on grants and sports scholarships/bursaries
- inform yourself of the various support services. The Institute’s Mature Student Officer and Disability Support Officer will be on hand to answer any queries a prospective student may have.
- learn about student life at CIT
In addition to the information stands, CIT Access Officer will give an account of CIT’s First Year Induction Programme at 7pm.
Students will be provided with an opportunity to have any remaining queries answered.
VI – Deadline: May 1st – NUI Maynooth Sports Scholarships
All applications must be submitted to the Sports Office before May 1st
(You should also apply to the CAO in the normal way)
NUI Maynooth is committed to the development of sporting excellence and awards a number of sports scholarships annually to promote and foster sporting talent in the University. The scholarship initiative is an investment in student potential and endeavours to relieve students of financial pressure so they can maintain a dual focus on academic and sporting progression. A sports development programme in GAA, Rugby, Golf, Soccer, Swimming and snooker exists at NUI Maynooth. This includes access to such supports as expert coaching, fitness training, sports psychology, health nutrition, and performance analysis and lifestyle management. Other recognised sports may be considered for a CAO points concession under the programme for participant competing as an athlete carded by the Irish Sports Council.
Carded Athletes at NUI Maynooth
Application Procedure
Students must complete the relevant application form and return it to sportscholarship@nuim.ie no later than May 1st. They should also apply to the CAO in the normal way. Each application must be accompanied by two sporting reference from the student’s Coach, Club, School and /or National Governing Body if applicable. All applications will be reviewed by the Sports Scholarship Committee and each student will receive written notification on the outcome of his/ her application.
Eligibility & Renewal Criteria
Scholarships are reserved for students who have reached or have the potential to reach a very high level of performance – competing at international, national, inter-provincial or inter-county level. Scholarships will be awarded for both undergraduate and postgraduate study. Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis but can be renewed subject to certain conditions being met.
- Students must maintain a satisfactory level of academic achievement
- Students must maintain an impressive record of sporting achievement
- Students must take an active role in the respective Club within NUI Maynooth
- Students must compete on behalf of NUI Maynooth at intervarsity competitions
- Students may be asked to visit schools or attend NUI Maynooth Open Days to discuss sporting talent and opportunities at NUI Maynooth
Awarding of Sports Scholarship
Scholarship funding is intended to assist students with sports and University related expenses (i.e. sporting equipment, travel costs associated with sport, allow student to cut down on part-time work etc.)
Entry requirements
Applicants are required to meet the normal matriculation requirements and any special course requirements. It is envisaged that applicants may receive up to 60 points concession in respect of normal CAO points for admission in any given year; this point’s concession does not apply to MH001 or MH002 Education – Primary Teaching. Applicants will be expected to have attained at least 300 points in their best six Leaving Certificate subjects. Post graduate applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Up to 15 places will be available annually under this scheme, which are provided in addition to the normal CAO complement of places under graduate students.
V – Free HPAT Seminar
Independent Academy, 60-63 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, will run a series of 90 minute HPAT seminars free of charge for 5th Year students who are considering taking the HPAT exam in February 2013.
The seminars will be held on the following dates:
§ Friday April 27th 2012 7.00-8.30 p.m.
§ Friday May 18th 2012 7.00-8.30 p.m.
At these seminars, students will be:
§ Given an introduction to the HPAT exam
§ Advised as to the best overall approach to maximise their HPAT score
§ Introduced to some of the specific techniques which can be utilised in the three exam sections
§ Given the opportunity to practise some sample questions
§ Given detailed handouts from the seminar
Career Guidance Counsellors and parents are also welcome to attend.
Places are free, however, seats must be reserved. Bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis. To reserve places, career guidance counsellors are asked to email hpat@independentacademy.ie or ‘phone 01 635 5824, confirming the number of places required.