PARENTS EVENING 2019 2020 LC Points Scheme CAO

PARENTS EVENING 2019 -2020 LC Points Scheme CAO & PLCs Apprenticeships HEAR and DARE Scholarships, funding and SUSI

PROGRESSION OPTIONS NFQ Qualification Course Leve Obtained Duratio l n LC Entry Requirements College Type Apply to 5 FETAC Cert 1 year 5 passes, interview; some subject entry requirements PLC College Direct to PLC 6 FETAC Cert 2 years 5 passes, interview; some subject entry requirements PLC College Direct to PLC 6 Craft Apprenticeshi p 4 years 5 passes, interview; some subject entry requirements Solas & Direct to Employe Employ r er 6 Higher Certificate 2 years 5 x. H 7/O 6; some subject entry requirements; CAO points + other assessment IT or TUD CAO 7 Ordinary Degree 3 years 5 x. H 7/O 6; some subject entry requirements; CAO points + other assessment IT or TUD CAO

NATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF QUALIFICATIONS

CAO POINTS SYSTEM Higher Level % Ordinary Level H 1 100 90 – 100 O 1 56 H 2 88 80 – 89 O 2 46 H 3 77 70 – 79 O 3 37 H 4 66 60 – 69 O 4 28 H 5 56 50 – 59 O 5 20 H 6 46 40 – 49 O 6 12 H 7 32 30 – 39 O 7 0 H 8 0 0 – 29 O 8 0 25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for Higher Level Mathematics for H 6 and above. LCVP Points Distinction: 80 – 100% – 66 points Merit: 65 – 79% – 46 points Pass: 50 -64% – 28 points

CAO LANGUAGE EXEMPTIONS • Students with Irish and/or Language exemption. • If applying for an NUI college must fill out an exemption form and contact the CAO to inform them. • If applying for TCD must fill in a language waiver form and contact the CAO to inform them. • Both these forms are available online

CAO DEADLINES & FEES Fees are Non-Refundable Fee Closing Date Online Discounted Application € 30 20 th January 2020 @ 17: 15 Normal Application (Paper or Online) € 45 1 st February 2020 @ 17: 15 Change of Mind Nil 1 st July 2020 @ 17: 15

DARE – DISABILITY ACCESS ROUTE TO EDUCATION • The third level alternative admissions scheme is for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education. • Offers REDUCED points places to school leavers who as a result of having a disbility have experienced additional educational challenges in second level education. • It DOES NOT automatically mean 50 points off the CAO points. • Different points for different courses and different colleges.

DARE – DISABILITY ACCESS ROUTE TO EDUCATION • Students with disability or any health problem are eligible to apply for the DARE scheme. • • • Autistic Spectrum Disorders (including Asperger’s Syndrome) ADD / ADHD Blind / Vision Impaired Deaf / Hard of Hearing DCD – Dyspraxia/Dysgraphia Mental Health Conditions Neurological Conditions (incl. Brain Injury & Epilepsy) Speech & Language Communication Disorder Significant Ongoing Illness Physical Disability Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia & Dyscalculia)

DARE – DISABILITY ACCESS ROUTE TO EDUCATION UCD Entry Requirements DCU Entry Requirements • Must have a minimum of 300 points (minimum 480 points for DN 400 Medicine and minimum HPAT is 150) • Must have a minimum of 300 points • Must meet minimum entry requirements • Must meet subject-specific requirements • Must be within 20% of the points required (e. g. if the cut-off is 500 you must have at least 400 points) • Must meet minimum entry requirements • Must meet subject-specific requirements • Must be within 75 points to be considered

DARE – DISABILITY ACCESS ROUTE TO EDUCATION • Step 1: Tick the box on the CAO form • Step 2: Complete the supplementary information form (SIF) • Decisions regarding eligibility will be made by Higher Education Institutions in June. • Section A • Completed by the applicant outlining the impact of his disability on his education. (Deadline: 1 st March) • Section B • Completed by a member of the academic staff, providing an academic reference and information on his education experience. (Deadline: 1 st April) • Section C • Completed by a relevant specialist, consultant or psychologist, providing verification of the condition. (Deadline: 1 st April)

HEAR – HIGHER EDUCATION ACCESS ROUTE • An admissions route for school leavers who for social, financial or cultural reasons are under-represented at third level education. • It was set up to ensure that all Leaving Certificate students have a fair and equal opportunity to progress to third level education. • Step 1: Tick the box on the CAO form • Step 2: Complete the HEAR form and submit all relevant supporting information (e. g. P 60) www. accesscollege. ie www. cao. ie “ 99% of Students in Dublin 6 go to College, compared to 15% in Dublin 17”

HEAR – HIGHER EDUCATION ACCESS ROUTE • Benefits: • Reduced CAO points offers in the participating colleges provided you meet the minimum entry requirements. • Post-entry supports such as financial, academic, social and personal. 1. Was your household income on or below € 45, 790 in 2018? 2. Do you or your family have a Medical Card/GP Visit Card on 31 st December 2019? 3. Did your parents/guardians receive a means-tested social welfare payment for at least 26 weeks in 2018? 4. Are your parents’ or guardians’ employment status under-represented in Higher Education? 5. Have you attended a DEIS second level school for five years? 6. Do you live in an area of concentrated disadvantage? You must meet the HEAR income limit plus the right combination of 2 other indicators to be eligible

COSTS • Generally, € 3000 per year administration charge • Paid in two stages – October and January • Cut-off point around mid to end of October where students can leave and keep free fees for the next time • If they leave after this, then they will have to pay the EU rate for (only) the first year of a future course, before returning to € 3000 per year thereafter

SUSI: KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA • Nationality: Irish, EU, Swiss nationals or have specific leave to remain in the State. • Residency: 3 of last 5 years in Ireland, EU or Switzerland. • Progression: NFQ levels 5 -10. • Approved College/Course: can be at home or abroad • ‘Reckonable’ Income: (Class - Dependent/Independent) • Eligibility Reckoner: Based on 2019 income figures

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCE • Sports scholarships run by individual institutions • Can offer reduced points thresholds and funding • Entrance Awards by individual institutions • Based on LC points; Discount off initial fee payment • All-Ireland / JP Mc. Manus Scholarships • Must be exempt from LC fees • Irish Tax Institute • Accounting, Finance, Business, etc. • Naughton Scholarship • STEM subjects – physics, chemistry, maths, applied maths • Northside Partnership Fund • Living in their catchment areas • Members First Credit Unions • Grants for members/children; August/September • GAA National Student Bursary Scheme • Active club members in the GAA; September • St. Vincent de Paul • Interview with SVP East Division; July

POST-LEAVING CERTIFICATE COURSE (PLC) Level 5 (1 year) or Level 6 (2 year) Not based on points, but on meeting minimum subject requirements (e. g. 5 passes) and interview Examples of Level 8 degrees which can be applied to in DCU: DC 009 Humanities DC 010 & DC 011 Religion and English; Religion and History – post-primary education DC 111 Business studies DC 131 Communications DC 201 Science (Common entry) DC 240 Marketing, Innovation and Technology Can be used as a ‘back door’ to levels 6 -8 Examples of Level 8 degrees which can be applied to in DIT: Examples of Level 8 degrees which can be applied to in UCD: DN 200 Science (Common Entry) DN 201 Computer Science DN 250 Agricultural Science DN 600 Law DN 610 Business and Law DN 650 Commerce DT 066 Engineering (Common Entry) DT 101 Architecture DT 112 Geographic science DT 201 Science (Common entry) DT 228 Computer science DT 365 Business and Management

APPRENTICESHIPS • Generally 4 years in duration • 7 blocks of on and off-job training • Traditional construction – brick and stonelaying, carpentry and joinery, plastering, plumbing, etc. • Electrical – electrician, aircraft mechanic, refrigeration and air conditioning, etc. • Motor, hospitality and food, hair, etc. • LC Requirements: 5 passes including maths • Interview with employer; register with Solas for training • Simple tips: driving licence, safepass, manual handling

APPRENTICESHIPS • New apprenticeships including ICT, logistics, accounting technician, auctioneering, finance, insurance • Accounting Technician • Interview process and workshops with ATI and employers; 2 year contract with employer; 310 points; O 5 English and maths/accounting; • 4 days working, 1 day in college (often a PLC College) • Software Developer Associate • Interview process and workshops with FIT and employers; 2 year contract with employer; 5 passes including maths and English • 3 stages: 6 months fulltime off-job training, 12 months of 3 days work and 2 days off -job training, 6 months of 4 days work and 1 day off-job training

FURTHER INFORMATION • www. cao. ie • www. studentfinance. ie • www. qualifax. ie • www. accesscollege. ie • www. careersportal. ie • www. susi. ie • www. apprenticeship. ie • www. citizensinformation. ie • www. solas. ie guidance@ardscoilris. com