BTEI - (Back to Education Initiative)
The aid of the BTEI programme is to give young people and adults an opportunity to combine a return to learning with family, work and other commitments.
Grange Community College offers a range of part-time, flexible education opportunities. FETAC is the main accrediting body.
What does it cost?
Courses under the BETI are free for people in receipt of an eligible Social Welfare payment and for everyone with less than upper second-level education, i.e. Leaving Certificate or equivalent. Fees are payable in certain other circumstances.
BTEA - "Back to Education Allowance" is a scheme for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities who are getting certain payments from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The allowance can be paid to people who wish to do or take approved second or third level courses of education. BTEA is not an unemployment payment. Participants get a standard rate of payment which is not means tested.
If you are signing for unemployment 'credits' only, you may qualify to take part in the scheme but you will not get a payment.
You can attend a second level course of education at any community, comprehensive, secondary or vocational school. The course must be:
- Full time and Lead to a Certificate recognised by the Department of Education and Science, or
- Lead to a Certificate approved by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC), or
- Lead to a Certificate approved by the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC)
How do I qualify for BTEA?
The BTEA is for a wide range of people who might want to return to education, so people qualify in different ways, depending on their age and personal situation. To find out if you are eligible you should contact your local Social Welfare Office.
Contact the BTEA Co-Ordinator. When you have been accepted you must complete a BTE1 Form and return to the Dept of Social and Family Affairs.