The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) supports people on certain social welfare payments who want to return to full-time education. Participants receive their existing social welfare payment rate while studying, plus a Back to Education Allowance of €500 per academic year. Second-level education option: anyone over 21 who has been on qualifying payment for at least 3 months (or 9 months for some payments). Third-level education option: must have been on qualifying payment for at least 9 months. Some exemptions apply for certain groups. Note: If also eligible for SUSI, BTEA recipients are not usually eligible for the SUSI maintenance grant.
Must be receiving a qualifying DSP payment (Jobseeker's Allowance/Benefit, One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, etc.) for the required period. Must attend an approved full-time course.