1. CAO Parents Presentation

2. Outline of presentation
Some of the key issues this year for students & parents:
CAO Applications/ New Points System/Offers
Decisions, Dates and Deadlines
Cost of studying and living at home and away from home
Student Supports:
Grants, Access Schemes, Scholarships, Disability
Other routes: FETAC/QQI Progression Schemes
Other non CAO options

3. So how does the CAO and points system in Ireland work?

4. CAO System Selection system used in Irish 3rd Level Colleges is
CAO system based on matching
No. of qualified applicants with No. of course places
Selection system used in Irish 3rd Level Colleges is
CAO POINTS SYSTEM
Students must gain required points AND minimum subject requirements
How much will the points be based this year?
Honestly no-one knows at this stage
Depends on Supply & Demand
The fewer the places , the greater demand = higher points
More places, lower demand = less points
So students need a “cushion”

5. Choice 1: Going to college in Ireland: Making a CAO Application
Since 2007 there are 3 types of courses students can apply for under the National Qualifications Framework.
These are applied for on 2 separate lists on a single form:
Level 6 & 7 Courses Level 8 Courses
Ordinary Degrees (7) Higher Certificates (6) Honours Degrees (8)
Up to 10 Course Choices Up to 10 Course Choices
The courses and levels are clearly labelled in the CAO Handbook
N.B. – Care must be taken with ‘Restricted’ courses
These ‘restricted’ courses cannot be applied for after February 1st due to extra assessments required.
Check out the CAO website at cao.ie

7. How are points calculated?
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

8. How the points are calculated
All the subjects a student presents are given a CAO points score and the best 6 numbers are added up to get the overall total points.
BEFORE THE POINTS WILL BE LOOKED AT A STUDENT MUST SATISFY THE :
1: COLLEGE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (MATRICULATION)
2: COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (CAN BE SUBJECT OR GRADE SPECIFIC)

9. Trends Points in Science, Engineering , IT courses went up last year
Guidance Department Presentation Secondary School
Trends
Points in Science, Engineering , IT courses went up last year
Healthcare courses are high
Arts low
Law from 420
Most popular university for ISK students is UCC

10. Guidance Department Presentation Secondary School
New Points System
The mechanics of the CAO application and offer process will remain the same; applicants must meet the minimum entry requirements, and places will be awarded based on an applicant’s position on the order of merit list.
The number of grade bands were reduced from 14 to 8 to fairly reward scholastic achievement and to ease the pressure on students to achieve marginal gains in examinations.
The Common Points Scale has been altered to reflect the reduction in grade bands.
All applicants (current year and pre-2017 Leaving Certificate candidates) will be competing using the same scale.
Points will be awarded for a H7 grade to reflect the level of achievement represented by a H7 and to encourage the take- up of higher level subjects.

11. New Points System Maths
Guidance Department Presentation Secondary School
New Points System
Maths
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for Higher Level Mathematics for H6 and above

12. New Points System (Clear)
Guidance Department Presentation Secondary School
New Points System (Clear)

13. Guidance Department Presentation Secondary School
New LCVP Points

14. Old System Vs New System
Guidance Department Presentation Secondary School
Old System Vs New System

15. CAO Timetable –crucial dates
5th Nov – online CAO application facility opens
Early Bird Special Offer –Jan 20th 2017 (€25)
1st February, 2017Closing date for receipt of normal applications -€40
Before/By 1st February, 2017
Receive Statement of Course Choices
1st March 2017
Closing date for final completion of online HEAR and DARE applications
Most tests & interviews for Restricted courses are held in March & April
1st April 2017
Closing date for all final HEAR/DARE documentation
1st May, 2017
Closing date for receipt of late CAO applications
Before/By 31st May, 2017
Receive Statement of Application Record
From 5 May, 2017
Change of mind opens -FREE
1st July, 2017
Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO.
August, 2017
Mid August LC Results
First round of offers will commence on Aug ( expected date)
Round 1, Aug Acceptances closing date 29th August 2016 (expected date)
Cost of CAO Application:
Early Bird –25 Euro [on or before Jan 20th]
Normal – 40 Euro [by Feb 1st]
Students are encouraged to apply soon and avail of the FREE change of mind facility until the end of January [to avoid the last minute panic and computer problems]

16. CAO Offers – how it works
In August 2016 the CAO will make offers to students from both lists(level 6/7 and 8)
Students can only accept one offer at a time
Students are still eligible for ALL higher preference offers in later rounds
Students can accept online
If deferring, students must contact the HEI directly in writing
From May to July 1st students can adjust their course choice lists using the FREE change of mind facility.

17. Choice 2: Going to College Abroad UK
UCAS
BREXIT??
Deadlines (Oct 15th or Jan 15th)
Students set up their accounts online and work through the sections
Up to 5 choices maximum [sometimes only 4]
Predicted Grades
Personal Statement
Reference
Interview
Conditional Offer
Offer

18. Going to college in Europe
Many colleges offer EU students the opportunity to study at very reasonable prices through the medium of English across many excellent universities
Look at

19. Making A College Application Important Key Dates for Ireland/UK
UCAS January 20th 2017
UCAS
CAO
PLC applications March 2017
[some accept later applications]
HEAR and DARE applications Feb/March/April2017
Pre exams March 2017
Practical/Oral LC exams March/April 2017
LC written exams June 2017
Grant applications SUSI June/July 2017

20. How will you finance it?

21. Cost of Living at Home – 2014 Registration Fees : €3,000
Cost of living for Students living at home
Monthly (€)
Annual (€)
Contribution to Utilities 33
297
Food 65
585
Travel
119
1071
Books & Class Materials 55
495
Clothes/Medical 45
405
Mobile 32
288
Social Life
132
1188
Student Contribution charge
306
2750
Total’s
787
7083

22. The Cost of Living Away From Home
Registration Fees : €3,000
Students in receipt of a grant will get their registration fees paid and may also receive additional support
Cost of Living for Student’s Living away from Home
Monthly (€)
Annual (€)
Rent (National – for Dublin see below)
307**
2763
Utilities 33
297
Food
172
1548
Travel
119
1071
Books  & Class materials
74****
666
Clothes/Medical 45
405
Mobile 32
288
Social life/Misc
132
1188
Student Contribution Charge
306
2750
Total’s
1220
10980

23. Is there any financial support. Yes, there is
Is there any financial support? Yes, there is! Let’s see what support there is out there for you

24. What Supports are Available?
1. GRANTS/SUSI Financial
2. H.E.A.R. Scheme Access/financial
3. Other Scholarships
4. D.A.R.E. Scheme Access/disability
Information Evening18 January, The Rose Hotel, Tralee, 7-9pm

25. 1. Grants So how much do students get? Max
Applications are completed online at SUSI –Student Universal Support Ireland susi.ie
Check out studentfinance.ie website for more information
So how much do students get?
Max
Min
5,915
305
Most students
3, or
1,215
Living away (45km+)
Living at home

27. 2. HEAR Higher Education Access Route
This is an access scheme which the following 16 Institutions are involved in:
DCU, DIT, NUI Maynooth, NUI Galway, TCD, UL, UCC, UCD, Marino, Mary I, Mater Dei, St. Angela’s, St. Pats, COI College of Education, NCI, PUM
Targets students who are motivated and have the ability to attend 3rd level but may lack some of the social or economic supports.
Who is eligible to apply?
Long term unemployed
Low family income – must be within the Irish grants income limits
Little family tradition of progression to 3rd level
Under represented socio-economic groups
Applications are due in by Feb 1st 2016 – through the CAO scheme and must be fully complete by March 1st 2017
ALL FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS must be in by APRIL 1st 2017
Student Supports:
Financial (1,200 approx) Personal Guidance Orientation Programme
Academic Social Supports Extra Tuition
Students must get about 90% of the points needed to do the course of choice. A lot of students who are on the HEAR scheme achieved their place with no concession on points.

28. 5. Other Scholarships SIPTU – for children of SIPTU members
Reid Scholarship for Kerry Students in Trinity
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

29. 6. D.A.R.E – Disability Access Route to Education
This is part of the supplementary CAO application process.
Forms are completed online with additional information forwarded to the CAO.
The scheme is intended to support students with diagnosed disabilities such as:
Asberger’s Syndrome, Autism, ADD, ADHD, blind, vision impaired, Dyspraxia, mental health condition, neurological conditions, significant ongoing illness, physical disability, specific learning difficulty and others….
The following 12 colleges are part of this scheme:
Athlone IT, DCU, DIT, MATER DEI, NCI, NUIG, NUIM, TCD, UCC, UCD, UL, PUM
Applications due in: FEB 1 st to be fully completed by March 1st 2017
Additional information due in by: APRIL 1st
For further information check out:

30. Financial Documentation needed
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 2015/6
P21 for year ended 2015/6
Self-employed: copy of accounts ending 2014 and 2015
Social Welfare recipient: statement from local office showing total amounts received for the year ending 2015/6
An original birth cert may also be requested
Grant applications require information from 2016 while HEAR applications require 2015
If you are doing a HEAR and grant application you will need both sets of documents.

31. 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)
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]

32. If direct entry to college is not for you or you need a back up plan: FETAC Progression Routes – Further Education (PLC) FETAC level 5 or 6
In 2014 there are 38 HEI’s offering places to FETAC applicants
Currently 20% of all CAO applicants have a level 5/6 FETAC AWARD (not applying on the basis of LC)
Since every FETAC Award will be part of the CAS (Common Awards System)
Based on a CREDITS system (max120=400points)
Some courses are ‘linked’ to specific related courses
For more information look up fetac.ie website

34. The FETAC(QQI) Progression Route
Leaving Cert
FETAC(PLC)
Level 5 course
Level 6 course
Level 7
Level 7 course
Level 8
Level 8 course

35. Websites Websites: Qualifax.ie studentfinance.ie cao.ie ucas.com
accesscollege.ie
careersportal.ie
eunicas.ie
fas.ie
Collegeboard.com
Thank you for your attention
If you have any questions please ask
Feel free to ring me at school on

36. ISK Leaving Cert Students 2016 Third Level Offers
Guidance Department Presentation Secondary School
ISK Leaving Cert Students 2016 Third Level Offers
ISK 3rd Level Offers 2016