A. EGF eligible participants can apply for any course provided by a HEA-designated institution and, if awarded a place, will be funded under the EGF for that course. The scope of courses to which participants can apply is not restricted to full-time programmes or programmes leading to credits or an award on the National Framework of Qualifications. Courses may be full-time, part-time, evening, distance learning, undergraduate, postgraduate, short or long courses. However, courses must have a career development dimension for the participant - "hobby" type courses will not be funded.

A. Places are not guaranteed for EGF participants. Candidates will have to meet the minimum eligibility requirements for admission to a programme of study and are required to apply via the normal application procedures. These will be advised by the relevant third-level provider.

A. Yes. Minimum eligibility requirements for entry to an access programme will apply as normal.

A. Yes, you can be funded for a third-level programme offered by a private provider. Please contact either the private provider itself or the EGF Co-Ordination Office (061-405508) for details on how funding for your programme will be covered.

A. . Any eligible candidate who has already commenced a programme of study in one of the participating institutions in September/October 2009, and who was required to pay a registration charge or tuition fee, will be refunded such charges or fees.

• University of Limerick and Mary Immaculate College students should contact Rhona McCormack (Ph: 061-233700) to arrange refunds.
• Limerick Institute of Technology students should contact Colin McLean (061-208866).
• Tralee Institute of Technology students should contact Mary Stritch (066-7191701).
• Tipperary Institute students should contact Moya Breen (0504-28150).
• Students in all other institutions should contact your Fees Office or the EGF Co-Ordination Office (061-405508).

A. The academic years 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 fall within the timeframe for funding under the EGF. Eligible individuals studying in 2011/12 will be required to be registered on their programme by 29 September 2011. Thereafter, the funding options for third-level programmes will revert to the normal funding regulations and arrangements (e.g. Free Fees, should the individual be eligible).

In the event that an EGF student has to repeat all or part of an academic year, fees charged for this repeat year will be covered under the EGF, as long as the repeat year falls within the timeframe of the fund.

Funding activity is not restricted strictly to the academic years. Courses running during the summer months for eligible persons also fall within the remit of the measure.

A.You can make an appointment to see the Educational Guidance Co-ordinator at the Downtown Centre (061-233701) in Limerick. The Downtown Centre is being supported by the EGF to offer pre-entry third-level educational guidance to EGF eligible participants.

Adult Educational Guidance and Information Services are also available through your local VEC and in your Local Employment Service. Alternatively, you can contact the relevant course director or admissions office to seek more detailed information on a particular third-level programme.

A. Eligible candidates are not required to register directly for the EGF fund. You must apply to, be offered and commence a programme of study in order to benefit under the fund.

A. The procedures for third-level programmes offered by private providers to draw on EGF funding for candidates is not yet clarified.

A. An eligible candidate who is accepted onto an education programme offered by a participating institution will not be required to pay any fees or charges to the institution for that programme for the period of time covered by the EGF (e.g. no fees or charges will be payable for the academic years commencing Autumn 2009, 2010, or 2011).

No commitment can be provided to fund the participation of candidates on any education programme which provides for progression into the 2012 academic year or beyond. If students wish to progress to a third or fourth year of study to obtain a higher award they may be required to pay fees/charges, having regard to the regulations governing the operation of the Department of Education and Science Free Fees and Student Maintenance grants schemes.

A. No. Fees for 3rd level courses are not eligible under this training grant. Only programmes which are accredited by FETAC or by an industry awarding body and are on the National Qualifications Framework can be funded under the FAS EGF Training Grant.

A. No. The funding is only available to cover normal tuition fees or student services fees which may be incurred, during the duration of the fund only.

A. Normal eligibility criteria and application procedures for existing allowances and grants apply e.g. the Maintenance Grant system and the Back to Education Allowance. The following are points of information on student support for higher education with relevance to the target cohort under the EGF for ex-Dell workers:

1. Eligible participants on full-time courses may qualify for a student maintenance grant if they meet all the relevant criteria under the scheme. Eligible participants who undertake an accelerated or compressed full time programme of study providing for an award of at least 60 credits during an academic year may qualify for a grant.
2. It should be noted that the maintenance grant schemes only apply to individuals who are pursuing approved courses at a higher level on the NFQ than their current qualification(s).
3. The EGF funding timeframe limit of 2011 (academic year 2011-12) for eligible participants does not apply to the maintenance grant schemes. A maintenance grant may continue to be drawn down by an EGF participant for a course that extends into 2012-13 or beyond.
4. The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) for full-time 3rd level studies from DSFA is available to people who are over 21 years of age and are in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for 9 months. In the case of people who have been made statutorily redundant the BTEA can be paid after 3 months benefit duration on the Live Register. The BTEA supplements the allowance with an annual up-front cost of education payment, currently €500 per year.
5. The BTEA is not payable where a person is pursuing a qualification at a similar, or lower, level to one already held nor is it payable, apart from certain Higher Diploma courses, to persons pursuing a Level 9 qualification.
6. With effect from the commencement of the 2010 academic year, students who are in receipt of a Back to Education Allowance from the Department of Social and Family Affairs will not be eligible to apply for maintenance under the maintenance grant schemes.
7. Eligible participants who wish to take up a part-time education option may be entitled to retain their social welfare payments provided, in the case of Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance, that they are still genuinely available for and seeking work.

A. You are eligible if you have been employed by either DELL, Banta Global Turnkey, Flextronics, SerCom, IEC/Flextronics, Sodexo, Cube, RPS Engineering, Rehab Logistics and Novo Strat, Federal Security prior to 8th January 2009, and have become unemployed from the period of 8th January, 2009 to 30th April 2010 as a result of the closure of the DELL manufacturing facility. Your name must also be contained on the FAS EGF Co-Ordination Unit database.

A. It is up to individuals to self-assess for eligibility, based on the guidelines provided. The ultimate confirmation of eligibility will be provided by the EGF Co-ordination Office (061-405508) directly to the programme providers or to the individuals concerned.