Back to Education Allowance - BTEA

The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a scheme which allows unemployed people to keep a Social Welfare payment and return to approved full-time education through either a:

Second level option (e.g. Junior / Leaving Certificate / FETAC Level 6),
Third level (Dipolma / Degree / Higher Diploma / HETAC)
Third level post graduate option

You must apply and be approved for BTEA before you take up the course and also be in receipt of your Social Welfare payment for at least 3 months (2nd Level option) or 9 months (3rd Level option) immediately before starting the course.

Have you been made redundant? You may access the BTEA immediately if you: have worked for 2 years or more; have been made statutorily redundant and have an entitlement to a Jobseeker's payment

Qualifying for BTEA - Second Level Option

To qualify for the Second Level option you must be:

21 years of age or over and in receipt of a Jobseeker's Payment for at least 3 months (78 days) Or
Aged 18-21 and out of formal education for at least 2 years and in receipt of a Jobseeker's payment for at least 3 months (78 days)

Second-level Study Option

You can attend a second-level course of education at any secondary, community, comprehensive or vocational school. The course must be full-time and lead to a certificate recognised by the Department of Education and Skills or approved by the Further Education and Training Awards Council, for example, Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, Post Leaving Certificate or a City and Guilds Certificate.

Qualifying for BTEA-Third Level Option

To qualify for the Third Level option you must be:

21 years of age or over and be in receipt of a Jobseeker's Payment for at least 9 months (234 days) Or
Aged 18-20 and out of formal education for 2 years and be in receipt of JB / JA for at least 9 months(234 days) Or
Aged 24 or over (3rd Level Post-graduate course)

Third-level Study Option

You can attend a third-level course of education at any university, third-level college or institution, provided that the course is a full-time day course of study and is approved by one of the following:

Department of Education and Skills for Higher Education Grant purposes
VEC Scholarship Scheme
Third Level Maintenance Grant Scheme for Trainees
Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) recognition

Undergraduate courses

You must be starting your third-level course at year one. However, you can apply for BTEA if you:

Did not complete your course and are returning to the second or subsequent year of your course
Are exempt from part of your course because of a qualification you received in a previous course. For example, you have a higher certificate in a course that you now wish to pursue to degree level.
Completed some of you course as a part-time student, but are now getting a jobseeker's payment and will continue your course on a full-time basis

Postgraduate courses

You may get the Back to Education Allowance for a postgraduate course that leads to a Higher Diploma (H.Dip.) qualification in any discipline or a Graduate Diploma in Education (primary and secondary teaching). Other types of postgraduate qualifications are not recognised for BTEA.

You will not get BTEA if you already have a postgraduate qualification.

Payment on BTEA

You will be entitled to the full rate of BTEA regardless of your current Social Welfare Payment. The Back to Education allowance replaces your Social Welfare payment.
The BTEA will only be paid for a 9 month academic year, for those in receipt of a Jobseeker's payment. BTEA is NOT payable for the 3 month summer period between academic years unless you are on work placement or work experience that is an essential part of your course. BTEA participants who are not employed during the summer period may be entitled to claim a Jobseeker's payment.
BTEA will include any increases for a qualified adult and qualified children. A qualified adult is a spouse or partner who does not receive a social welfare payment in their own right.
You will also receive an annual €500 cost of education allowance which covers the cost of course materials
BTEA is payable in the same way as your current social welfare payment
If you work part-time or casually, this will not effect your BTEA payment as long as you maintain your full-time student status

BTEA - Other Key Information:

For Jobseeker's claims, the duration of claims are counted in number of days or unemployment. Sundays are not counted as a day of unemployment.
If you are in receipt of other types of Social Welfare payment you may also qualify for BTEA
You may also qualify for BTEA in other circumstances e.g. where a person previously did not complete their course and are returning to the second or subsequent year of their 3rd Level course.
You can also apply for BTEA more than once depending on the type and level of the approved course you are looking to do.
Private institution courses are not covered

Applying for BTEA

When you receive a letter offering you a college place, fill out the BTE1 form and return it to your local Social Welfare Office (SWO).
Contact the colleges directly to get course information. Area Based Partnerships, local VECs, and your Local Employment Services (LES) will be willing to help.
Most applications are made through the Central Applications (CAO). Visit www.cao.ie for further information.