guidance counsellor guidance department presentation secondary school

Esther DoyleGuidance Counsellor

Guidance Department Presentation Secondary School

A look at the key issues this year including1. Dates and Deadlines (Ireland and abroad)2. CAO Applications/points system/offers 3. Cost of college and living away from home4. Student Supports –

Access Schemes (HEAR/DARE/REACH)Financial supports (Grants, scholarships, funds)

5. Non CAO route –QQI/FETAC Progression Schemes6. Other non CAO options


As You Take the Next Step Forward! A presentation for parents and students

Education Options after School

Centralised system Direct applications

Higher Education

Colleges offering courses at level 6/7/8

Applications through CAO (Ireland)

Or Abroad (UCAS/Eunicas )

Further Education

Colleges offering PLC or training programmes at QQI levels 5 or 6

Applications are made to the colleges


UCAS (UK) October 15th 2015(for some courses)

UCAS (UK) January 15th 2016(for most courses) CAO (Ireland) Feb 1st 2016

[Early bird special deal –Jan 20th] PLC applications Feb/March 2016

[some accept later applications]

REACH applications (WIT) March 2016 HEAR and DARE applications Feb 1st /March 1st 2016 Pre exams March 2016 Practical LC exams March/April 2016 Oral exams Apr 11th -22nd 2016 HEAR and DARE final documentation April 1st 2016 LC written exams June 8th 2016 Grant applications SUSI June/July 2016 Students have a list of all open days


Making A College ApplicationImportant Dates summary

Many options have opened up for students wishing to study abroad with over 800 courses taught through English available across Europe.

Fees can often be cheaper than Ireland and so can the cost of living Students eligible for a grant can take it with them To apply for up to 8 courses in Europe contact EUNICAS

For students applying to the USA –the S.A.T. is usually part of the application process.

Register by Oct 9th 2015, test is on 7 Nov 2015 Locations: Dublin St Conleths or St Andrews in Dublin, cost €54.50 Register now online, go to the collegeboards.com website

For UK applicants (Oct 15th or Jan 15th) Students set up their accounts online and work through the sections Up to 5 choices maximum [sometimes only 4] Guidelines have been given regarding writing the personal statement Ensure you are aware of the courses that must be applied for by Oct 15th

Check out the admissions tests list on the UCAS website for UKCAT, HPAT etcGuidance Department Presentation Secondary School

Going to College Abroad

How are qualifications categorised?

What is the NFQ?


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 CoursesOrdinary 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 courses marked ‘Restricted’. These ‘restricted’ courses cannot be applied for after February

1st due to extra assessments required. Check out the CAO website at cao.ie


Going to college in Ireland:Making a CAO Application

http://www.nfq.ie/nfq/en/TheFramework/DiagramTheNationalFrameworkofQualifications/larger/



In August 2016 (22 AUG) 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.


CAO Offers – how it works

5th Nov – online CAO application facility opens 1st February, 2016 [Early Bird Special Offer –Jan 20th 2016]

◦ Closing date for receipt of normal applications Before/By 15th February, 2016

◦ Receive Statement of Course Choices 1st March 2016

Closing date for final completion of online HEAR and DARE applications1st April 2016Closing date for all final HEAR/DARE documentation

1st May, 2016◦ Closing date for receipt of late CAO applications

Before/By 31st May, 2016◦ Receive Statement of Application Record

From 5 May, 2016◦ Change of mind opens -FREE1st July, 2016◦ Latest date for receipt of change of mind form in CAO.

Late August, 2016 First round of offers will commence on Aug 22 2016: round 1, Aug 31 round 2

◦ 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]


CAO Timetable –crucial dates


How does the CAO Points system work?

Generally in the CAO systemNumber of qualified applicants is greater than the

number of course places so a selection system is needed.

Selection system used in Irish 3rd Level Colleges is CAO POINTS SYSTEM

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

This is the last year of the current system as we move to H1-H8 in 2017


CAO Points System

Grade Honours OrdinaryA1 100 60A2 90 50

B1 85 45B2 80 40B3 75 35 BEST

C1 70 30 6C2 65 25C3 60 20 SUBJECTS

D1 55 15D2 50 10D3 45 5

Since 2012, bonus points in higher maths – 25 extra points for grade A-D


Points System – the best 6

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.

Irish H C2 65 English O A1 65 Maths H D2 50 +25=75 French H B2 80 Biology H C1 70 Geography O A1 60 exclude History H B3 75 POINTS 425

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)


How the points are calculated


What are ACCESS SCHEMES?

H.E.A.R. D.A.R.E.REACH


HEAR /DARE VIDEO

This is an access scheme which the following 15 Institutions are involved including: 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, RCSI

Targeted at students who are motivated and have the ability to attend 3 rd level but may lack some of the social or economic supports.

Who is eligible to apply? Long term unemployed, medical card holders Low family income - income limits under €45,790 in 2014 Little family tradition of progression to 3rd level Under represented socio-economic groups DEIS school students

Students must satisfy 3 out of 6 criteria to be eligible Applications are due in by Feb 1st 2016 – through the CAO scheme and must be fully complete by

March 1st 2016 ALL FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS must be in by APRIL 1st 2016

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.


1. HEARHigher Education Access Route

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.

For entry 2016, the scheme and application form has changed so be very careful to complete the up to date form. There is a new educational impact section to be completed.

The following 18 colleges are part of this scheme including: 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 2016

Additional information due in by: APRIL 1st 2016 For further information check out: www.accesscollege.ie


2. D.A.R.E – Disability Access Route to Education

This is an access programme run by WIT.

Its objective is to increase participation rates at WIT by students who may lack economic or social supports. We can make 5 applications only.

Criteria: 1. Be a child of parents in receipt of social welfare 2. Be a single parent 3. Other extenuating circumstances – low family income, must apply for grant

Student Supports: Induction course Financial assistance Additional tuition Book vouchers Mentoring Travel/childcare subsidy

Closing date: April 2016 [date to be confirmed] Students must get 200 points (minimum) and fulfil the entry requirements for the

course of choice


3. REACH PROGRAMME ACCESS TO WIT only

School supports from UCC/WIT

For any of these supports Come talk to Ms. Doyle

One Saturday in Novexam preparation classes in Physics, Chemistry and BiologyCost €5

Money contribution for grinds in any subject

€22 per hour contribution

WIT Library initiative 10 of our students are

attending the library



So how much does it cost?

Grant holders may have the €3,000 student charge paid

On campus accommodation costs €3,500 - €4,900


The Cost of Living Away From Home

Cost of Living for Students living

away from home

Monthly (€) Annual (€)

Rent (National – for Dublin increase

this figure)

325* 2925

Utilities 34 306

Food 172 1548

Travel 135** 1215

Books & Class materials 74*** 666

Clothes/Medical 43 387

Mobile 32 288

Social life/Misc 74**** 666

Student charge 333 3000

Total 1, 222 11,001


Cost of living for Students living at home Monthly (€) Annual (€)

Contribution to Utilities 34 306

Food 63 567

Travel 135 1215

Books & Class Materials 55 495

Clothes/Medical 43 387

Mobile 32 288

Social Life/Misc 71**** 639

Student charge 333 3000

Total 766 6897

Grant holders may have the €3,000 student charge paid

Yes

Access schemes SUSI grants Student Assistance Fund Scholarships Other funds Student loans


Is there any financial support available?

SUSI Grants Applications are completed online at SUSI –Student Universal

Support Ireland Check out studentfinance.ie website for more information


So how much do students get?

Max Min

5,915 215

Most students

3,025 or 1,215

Living away Living at home

INCOME for the year 2015

€39,875-€54,240 will be eligible for support

Income under €22,703 will be eligible for maximum grant of €5,915(living away over 45km) or €2,375(living at home)

In addition, €3,000 student registration fees may be paid


Income thresholds for SUSI

A financial support fund operated by the colleges of higher education.

Targeted at grant holders Eligible expenses: • Books • Class materials • Rent • Heating/lighting bills • Food • Travel of an urgent or essential nature • Medical expenses, i.e. doctor or dental visits • Expenses associated with family breakdown • Expenses associated with bereavement • Expenses associated with accidents • Childcare • Compulsory study abroad


Student Assistance Fund

SIPTU – for children of SIPTU members, €1000 Credit Union – John Hume, Business –WIT Foley Scholarship – Architecture – €8000 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 Guidance Department Presentation Secondary School

Scholarships

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 2014/15 P21 for year ended 2014/15 Self-employed: copy of accounts ending 2013 and 2014 Social Welfare recipient: statement from local office showing total

amounts received for the year ending 2014/15 An original birth cert may also be requested Grant applications require information from 2015 while HEAR

applications require 2014.

If you are doing a HEAR and grant application you will need both sets of documents.


Financial Documentation needed

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)

REACH forms [WIT] will be completed between Jan and March

Completed REACH Forms to be returned to your Guidance Counsellor (sent by the school to WIT)

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]


Supports In Summary


How do students progress using QQI/FETAC?

APPLY TO CAO

LEAVING CERT APPLICANTS

FETAC/QQI APPLICANTS

MATURE STUDENTS OVER 23


Progression pathways

In 2015 there are 38 HEI’s offering places to QQI/FETAC applicants

Currently 20% of CAO applicants have a level 5/6 QQI/FETAC AWARD

Since 2014 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 The system is designed for students to progress from

level 5/6 to higher qualifications For more information look up fetac.ie / qqi.ie website


So if CAO is not for you or you need a back up plan:QQI/FETAC Progression Routes –

Further Education (PLC) QQI/FETAC level 5 or 6

CK101 ArtsCK105 Film and Screen MediaCK107 Geography and Archaeological SciencesCK108 Arts InternationalCK113 CriminologyCK117 Economics (through Transformational Learning)

CK118 Digital Humanities and Information Technology

Entry to the first year of the programmes listed above is available on a competitive basis to students who achieve a minimum of 4 Distinctions (i.e. greater than 80%) from any of the QQI FET (FETAC) Level 5/6 awards accepted for entry .The expected number of places for students presenting with these qualifications is:

CK101 - 55 CK105 - 5 CK107 - 2 CK108 - 6 CK113 - 10 CK117 - 2 CK118 – 6

Most colleges display this information on their websites.


UCC QQI/FETAC LINKS an example

Private colleges – apply directly, fees... UK courses - UCAS.. check for fees... International colleges – eunicas.ie (Europe) SOLAS (FAS) – apply directly on leaving school PLC e.g. WCFE (formerly CTI) – apply directly Internship schemes - apply directly/SOLAS Training Bodies – apply directly Work!... Year off!.....GAP YEAR.... Travel!..SAVE THE TURTLES... Repeat!! Hopefully not!!

For all options check out qualifax.ie website


The Non CAO Options

Scare at bedtime!!!In case you are interested it is 38 weeks to the day till your Leaving Certificate begins on Wednesday June 8th 2016!!!8 months 16 days….. 260 days to go!

Don’t forget to collect:Hand-outs Best of luck in the year ahead and happy studying!!!


Websites: Qualifax.ie studentfinance.ie cao.ie ucas.com accesscollege.ie careersportal.ie eunicas.ie qqi.ie solas.ie (fas) Collegeboard.com

Thank you for your attention

If you have any questions please feel free to ring me at school


Thank you

guidance counsellor guidance department presentation secondary school

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