Who to appeal to if Tuition Fees not Waived?

A friend of mine has been accepted onto a degree course (Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) in DCU. She previously obtained a diploma (Level 7) from DIT.

She had assumed that she would not have to pay tuition fees on the basis of clause 4 of the Free Fees Initiative:
()And she believed that she would not have to pay tuition fees when she received a letter from DCU a few weeks ago accepting her onto the course. I have not seen that letter but the wording was strong enough for her to hand in her notice at her job, where she is employed on a full-time, permanent basis.

DCU e-mailed her yesterday to say that she is eligible to pay her fees, which means that she could be unemployed in a few weeks but without a place in college because she cannot afford to play the fees (ca. €6.6 K).

She contacted them today and they explained that the previous letter is a general letter sent to all students who have been accepted onto courses and that she was mistaken in her interpretation of the letter of a few weeks ago.

They have not explained why they consider it necessary for her to pay tuition fees but assuming that they do not change their stance, my question is this:

Can she appeal their decision to anyone? I am guessing that the Department of Education are the appropriate body to hear such an appeal but what unit that department should she contact? Or there is another body that she should appeal to?

It does state "may be deemed eligible for free fees" not shall.

Acceptance onto the course and exemption from fees are totally separate.

She should check DCU's procedures in the first place before going to D/Ed or the HEA.

I'm dragging this info out of the back of my mind so I'm open to correction.

Assuming a student meets the eligibility criteria for getting free fees as outlined here: then the following is probably the case with your friend.

She has completed a level 7 course already, as its DCU I'm assuming she has been offered a place as a first year student on a level 8 course. As such she is seen to be "repeating" the first three years of the level 8 course (corresponding the three years she has already completed at level7) and then doing the fourth year for the first time. She should confirm with the college that she will be expected to pay fees for these three "repeat" years and be exempt for the final year.

If she was leveraging off the level 7 course to enter the level 8 course as a 3rd\4th year student she would in effect be completing her studies and would probably qualify for free fees for the remaining years.

I hope that makes some sense.

Yes, Northie, DCU have offered her a place as a first year student on the 4-year, level 8 course. There is some overlap between the two courses but not much.

Unfortunately she will be liable for fees.

I'll attempt to be a little clearer with this:

Course A is a four year Honours Degree in Business
Course B is a three year Ordinary Degree in Business (what would have been a diploma)

According to the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Course A is a level 8 and course B is level 7

If a student begins course A having never studied at third level they will have free fees for all four years and graduate with an Honours Degree.

If a student pursues course B they will have three years fees covered and graduate with a level 7 Ordinary Degree. If accepted by a college they can return to third level to add on to their level 7 degree and complete 1 or 2 additional years to obtain a level 8 degree. These additional years will also be covered by the free fees and the student will graduate with an Honours Degree.

If a student has completed course B and then opts to go back to begin course A from first year again, they will be liable for fees for the equivalent time they have already completed regardless if the courses are smiliar or completely different.

You mention your friend holds a diploma. When did she complete it and did she pay fees at that time. This may be the only loophole available. If she completed the Diploma before the introduction of free fees (around 1995) and paid fees for all three years, then she should be treated as a "new" third level entrant and is entitled to free fees on her new level 8 course.

Again I hope that makes sense.

Failing that option it would be worth her talking to DIT so see what her options may be to add on to her current diploma rather then restarting in first year.

Northie, thanks for your reply.

She completed her completed her diploma in about 2005.

As I understand it, she chose DCU because she feels that it is the best place to study Sports Science. I could be wrong but DIT do not run courses in Sports Science.