College grants a test of patience

MY daughter started third-level college on September 8 last. She applied for a student grant to Cork county council. They passed her details to Cork VEC when she had made her course choice, as they did not cover her course.

We had acknowledgment of her application from Cork VEC early in September. They asked her to fill out a form, detailing her college, course reference and the duration of her course. Only two days ago she got a reply that her application had been successful.

In early December I rang Cork VEC and was told they had not reached her application, but should do so just before Christmas - but definitely afterwards. When pushed for a better indication, I was advised it would probably be after Christmas, but that it would be backdated, so there was no need to worry.