1. Parents Evening Donabate Community College

2. What we’ll cover HEAR Scheme DARE Scheme Student Grant Questions

3. What is HEAR? Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is an admissions route for school leavers who for social, financial or cultural reasons are under- represented at third level education. It was established by 17 colleges and universities to ensure that all Leaving Certificate students have a fair and equal opportunity to progress to third level education.

4. Participating Institutions 17 Institutions Participating Dublin City University Dublin Institute of Technology University College, Cork University College, Dublin University of Limerick NUI Galway NUI Maynooth Trinity College, Dublin Coláiste Mhuire, Marino Institute of Education Church of Ireland, College of Education Mary Immaculate, College of Education Mater Dei Institute of Education National College of Ireland St. Angela’s College, Sligo St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra Pontifical University, Maynooth Froebel College of Education

5. Why Apply to HEAR? Reduced points CAO offers in the participating colleges provided you meet the minimum entry requirements. Post-entry supports such as financial, academic, social and personal.

6. 1. Was your household income on or below €48,811.00 in 2011? 4. Are you from a socio economic group that is underrepresented in higher education? 2. Does your family have a medical card? 5. Have you attended a DEIS school for 5 years? 3. Did your parents/guardian receive a means-tested social welfare payment in 2011? 6. Do you live in an area with high unemployment, poverty and few community facilities? Should I Apply? The 6 indicators

7. Number of dependent children* in your family HEAR Income Limit** Less than 4€48,811 4 – 7€53,637 More than 8€58,230 Add €4,980 to the total income for every sibling/parent enrolled in a full time college, university or post leaving certificate further education course.

8. *A dependent child: a child under the age of 16 years on the 1st of October 2012 a child or parent over 16 years and attending a full time educational institution a child or parent medically certified as permanently unfit for work. **Total household income: Income from 1 st January 2011 to 31 December 2011.

9. You must meet the HEAR income limit & the right combination of 2 other indicators to be eligible.

10. I want to apply to HEAR, what’s next? 1.Apply to CAO at www.cao.ie by 1 February 2013 2.Fill in your HEAR Application Guide & Workbook with your parents or guardians 3.Complete all elements of HEAR on line application by 1 March 2013 4.Submit copies of supporting documents requested on your checklist to CAO by 1 April 2013

11. Supporting Documents Income Supporting Documents: – Social Welfare – completed social welfare form/full social welfare statement stating amount received – Paid employment – P21 from revenue – Self employment – Notice of Assessment – Redundancy – RP50 form from employer – Lump Sum Payment – letter from employer Social Welfare Supporting Document: – Social Welfare – completed social welfare form/full social welfare statement stating type of payment and verifying if it is means tested Care of the State: Letter from Social Worker

12. Top Tips!? 1.Gather supporting documents now! They can take 8 weeks to get. 2.Send photocopies of supporting documents – keep your originals 3.Use the application guide and workbook when applying 4.Ask questions! When in doubt call or email us! 5.Keep proof of postage! 6.Send everything to the CAO on time – they do not accept anything late.

13. What is DARE? The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a supplementary admissions scheme which offers college places on reduced points to school leavers with disabilities. DARE has been established by a number of higher education institutions as clear evidence shows that disability can have a negative impact on educational attainment at school and progression to higher education.

14. Who Should Apply? Applicants whose disability had a significant impact on educational performance in school. Applicants who may not be able to meet the points for their preferred course due to the impact of disability. Applicants under 23 years on 1 st January 2012.

15. Disabilities eligible for consideration Asperger’s Syndrome/Autism ADD/ADHD Blind/Vision Impaired Deaf/Hearing Impaired DCD –Dyspraxia/Dysgraphia Mental Health Conditions Neurological Conditions (Brain Injury, Speech & Language Disabilities) Significant Ongoing Illness Physical Disability Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia & Dyscalculia)

16. DARE & HEAR application advice clinics 12 January 2013 HEAR closing date DARE closing date 1 March 2013 Supporting documentation closing date 1 April 2013 Notification of eligibilityLate June 2013 Application recheckJuly 2013 DARE/HEAR offersAugust 2013 College Orientation Late August/September 2013

17. Where can I find information www.accesscollege.ie – HEAR informationwww.accesscollege.ie www.cao.ie – Apply to CAOwww.cao.ie www.qualifax.ie – Course infowww.qualifax.ie www.ucd.ie/access - UCD Access Centrewww.ucd.ie/access www.studentfinance.ie & www.grantsonline.ie – Student Grantwww.studentfinance.iewww.grantsonline.ie

18. Questions? Thank you for your attention!