AS State exams loom, many parents of secondary school students in the Leaving Cert cycle are thinking about the future and the likely costs ahead.
Here I outline the main financial supports for students planning their next steps.
SUSI Grant
The Student Grant Scheme is the main financial support scheme for students studying in Ireland and abroad. It is also known as the SUSI grant because the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is the awarding authority for the Student Grant Scheme.
Student grants are divided into:
Maintenance grants help students with their living costs. Fee grants pay tuition fees for students who do not qualify for the Free Fees Scheme. Fee grants can also pay the Student Contribution and the cost of essential field trips. If you qualify for the maintenance grant, you also get the fee grant but some people only get a fee grant.
Student Grant Applications 2023-2024
Online applications for the student grant 2023-2024 closed on November 2, 2023. Late applications are accepted in certain circumstances only. To apply after the closing date, you must meet one of the following criteria:
To request a late student grant application, you must complete the Late Application Form 2023-2024 on www.susi.ie . Email the completed form to lateapplications@susi.ie.
Student Assistance Fund
Other supports include the Student Assistance Fund (SAF), which provides financial support to full-time or part-time students in higher education who are experiencing financial difficulties. The SAF is available to help students with the following costs: Books and class materials; Rent, heating and lighting bills; Food; Essential travel; Childcare costs for students that are parents; Medical costs; Family difficulties, for example bereavement
The SAF is designed to provide financial support in addition to the student grant. Tuition fees, registration fees, student loan repayments or any costs borne by your college are not covered by the SAF.
Participating colleges
Universities, institutes of technology and other approved colleges participate in the SAF scheme. See www.citizensinformation.ie or contact your local centre to get a full list of participating colleges. Unfortunately, the SAF is not available to students in further education or post-leaving certificate colleges. To qualify for the SAF, you must be a full-time or part-time student in a university, institute of technology or other approved college. You must be on a course leading to a higher education award (National Framework of Qualifications level 6-10).
Funding amounts vary and will be decided by your college after an assessment process.
How to apply
Students must apply for the SAF directly to the individual colleges. If you are in financial difficulty you should contact the access or student services section in your college for more information on how to apply for the SAF.
It really is important to apply for funding as soon as you can as some colleges have a closing date for applications.
Your college will advise you on documentation needed to support your SAF application. This may include proof of your own or your parents’ income and receipts for costs such as rent, bills or childcare. Applications are assessed by individual colleges and final decisions on awards may be taken by a small committee, including the access officer and student welfare officer.
Fund for Students with Disabilities
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is one of the main funding sources for students with disabilities. It ensures eligible students have the necessary help and equipment so they can participate on an equal basis with other students. You may be entitled to support under the FSD even if you did not access college through the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE scheme).
The FSD covers these supports: Assistive technology equipment and software; Non-medical helpers (for example, personal assistants or notetakers); Academic or learning support; Deaf supports including sign language interpreters and speedtext; Transport support
The FSD is available to full-time or part-time students in universities, institutes of technology and other colleges, including UK and EU colleges.
It is also available to students in further education or post-leaving certificate colleges.
Funding is allocated to the college to support a student’s needs as decided by a needs assessment. The college is responsible for managing the funding and has full discretion on how the FSD is allocated.
To qualify for the FSD, you must fulfil various conditions, and have been resident in the State for 3 of the previous 5 years before your approved course commences.
Bursary for Care Experienced Young People
This is available if you have had care experience of at least six months before your 18th birthday. You must be aged over 18 and not getting financial support for your education or training fees from SUSI, Tusla or any other source. However, you can still qualify if you are getting the aftercare allowance from Tusla.
The Bursary supports access to education and career development such as a new course or continuation on an existing course. The Bursary can help with course fees and anything that you need to participate on the course such as tools to complete an apprenticeship, laptop and printer.
Find more information about the Bursary for Care Experienced Young People and an application form for the Bursary for Care Experienced Young People on the TUSLA website or by contacting your local CIC.
Other bursaries and scholarships
The 1916 Bursary Fund provides funding to encourage participation and success by students from disadvantaged backgrounds that are significantly under-represented in higher education. This usually means you live in an area of urban or rural disadvantage where not many peoplego on to third level education, you may have attended a DEIS school or your family income may mean that you may not be able to go to college without financial help.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science runs a number of scholarship schemes.
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What financial supports are available to students?
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15.02.2024
AS State exams loom, many parents of secondary school students in the Leaving Cert cycle are thinking about the future and the likely costs ahead.
Here I outline the main financial supports for students planning their next steps.
SUSI Grant
The Student Grant Scheme is the main financial support scheme for students studying in Ireland and abroad. It is also known as the SUSI grant because the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is the awarding authority for the Student Grant Scheme.
Student grants are divided into:
Maintenance grants help students with their living costs. Fee grants pay tuition fees for students who do not qualify for the Free Fees Scheme. Fee grants can also pay the Student Contribution and the cost of essential field trips. If you qualify for the maintenance grant, you also get the fee grant but some people only get a fee grant.
Student Grant Applications 2023-2024
Online applications for the student grant 2023-2024 closed on November 2, 2023. Late applications are accepted in certain circumstances only. To apply after the closing date, you must meet one of the following criteria:
To request a late student grant application, you must complete the Late Application Form 2023-2024 on www.susi.ie . Email the completed form to lateapplications@susi.ie.
Student Assistance Fund
Other supports include the Student Assistance Fund (SAF), which provides financial support to full-time or part-time students in higher education who are experiencing financial difficulties. The SAF is available to help........
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