PARENTS EVENING 2020 2021 LC Points Scheme CAO

PARENTS EVENING 2020 -2021 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 2021 @ 17: 15 Normal Application (Paper or Online) € 45 1 st February 2021 @ 17: 15 Change of Mind Nil 1 st July 2021 @ 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: Register on the CAO (1 st Feb) • Section A • Step 2: Tick ‘Yes’ to Q 1 and complete the remaining questions on the supplementary information form (1 st March) • Section B • Step 3: Post all documentation to CAO (15 th March) • • Decisions regarding eligibility will be made by Higher Education Institutions in June. • Completed by the applicant outlining the impact of his disability on his education. (Deadline: 1 st March) • Completed by a member of the academic staff, providing an academic reference and information on his education experience. (Deadline: 15 th March) • Section C • Completed by a relevant specialist, consultant or psychologist, providing verification of the condition. (Deadline: 15 th March)

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 2019? 2. Do you or your family have a valid Medical Card/GP Visit Card on 31 st December 2020? 3. Did your parents/guardians receive a means-tested social welfare payment for at least 26 weeks in 2019? 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 2020 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 Can be used as a ‘back door’ to levels 6 -8 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 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 Examples of Level 8 degrees which can be applied to in TU Dublin: TU 805 Engineering (Common Entry), TU 832 Architecture TU 834 Geographic science, TU 854 Science (Common entry) TU 856 Computer science, TU 903 Business and Management Examples of Level 8 degrees which can be applied to in Trinity College: TR 004 Law, TR 060 Biological Sciences TR 081, Business, Economics and Social Studies

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