SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is Ireland’s single national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. SUSI offers funding to eligible students in approved full-time third-level education in Ireland and also, in some cases, funding for students studying outside of Ireland.

Support is available to all types of students, from school leavers to mature students returning to education.

www.susi.ie

The 1916 Bursary Fund was announced by the Minister for Education and Skills on 30 December 2017. The purpose of this funding is to encourage participation and success by students from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education.

All 1916 Bursary recipients must be economically disadvantaged AND from one of the following target groups:

• socio-economic groups that have low participation in higher education;
• first-time mature student entrants;
• students with a disability – particularly students with a physical/mobility impairment, students are who deaf/hard of hearing and students who are blind or have a visual impairment;
• Irish Travellers;
• those entering on the basis of a further education award;
• lone parents who have been confirmed by the Department of Social Affairs and Employment Protection as holding a means-tested social welfare payment; or
• ethnic minorities.

Students must be able to demonstrate that they would qualify for the highest level (the special rate) of SUSI grant and/or are in receipt of a Department of Social Affairs and Employment Protection means-tested social welfare payment.

Funding was provided for the award of 200 bursaries in each of the three academic years commencing 2017/18. Each bursary will be in the amount of €5,000 per annum.

In February 2020 the Department of Education and Skills announced the rollout of the 1916 bursary fund for a further 3 years starting in 2020/21.

The following is a list of eligible higher education institutions under the 1916 Bursary Fund:

• Cork Institute of Technology
• Institute of Technology Carlow
• Institute of Technology Tralee
• University College Cork
• Waterford Institute of Technology
• Limerick Institute of Technology
• Mary Immaculate College
• University of Limerick
• Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
• Institute of Technology Sligo
• Letterkenny Institute of Technology
• National University of Ireland, Galway
• Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dún Laoghaire
• Marino Institute of Education
• National College of Art and Design
• Trinity College Dublin
• University College Dublin
• Technological University Dublin
• Athlone Institute of Technology
• Dublin City University
• Dundalk Institute of Technology
• Maynooth University

Applications for a 1916 Bursary should be made directly to these higher education institutions. Further information on the application process is available from the website or access office of the institution in which you intend to study.

Fund for Students with Disabilites

The Fund for Students with Disabilities allocates funding to further and higher education colleges for the provision of services and supports to full-time students with disabilities. The Fund aims to ensure that students can participate fully in their academic programmes and are not disadvantaged by reason of a disability.

Student Assistance Fund

The student assistance fund provides financial assistance for full-time higher education students who are experiencing financial difficulties whilst attending college.  Students can apply for Student Assistance to help them with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties. The Student Assistance Fund provides a further source of funding for higher education students in addition to the Student Grant.

Back to Education Allowance

The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) allows qualifying persons to return to full-time education in approved courses while continuing to get income support.

The BTEA allows people in receipt of certain social welfare payments to retain those payments whilst participating in approved full-time courses in further and higher education.

Course Fees

Free Fees Initiative – Criteria for Determining Eligibility.

Other Finance: Bursaries & Scholarships

Did you know that there is a broad range of bursay or scholarship schemes in operation which provide an opportunity for students to access additional financial support if they meet the criteria?  Schemes are available which are specifically targeted at students with limited means, students with disabilities and students from minority ethnic groups.  In the main, bursary or scholarship schemes are focussed on higher rather than further education, however there are a number of exceptions. Studentfinance.ie  has compiled details of schemes currently in operation.  The list does not contain every scheme available in Ireland.

Postgraduate Students

Students entering new postgraduate courses need to make their online application to SUSI.  

Uversity – Higher Education Scholarships for Adult Learners

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL, REALISING AMBITIONS

Uversity’s Scholarships are intended to unlock adult learners’ potential. By providing meaningful, multi-annual financial support, Uversity’s Scholarships aim to remove the financial barriers to pursue a Bachelor’s degree for the first time. Scholarships are not limited to particular subject areas and will enable recipients to complete a bachelor’s degree in one of the participating institutions in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Uversity’s Scholarships will provide financial support to individuals 23 years or older who wish to purse a Bachelor’s degree in any subject in one of the  participating institutions

Uversity understands that there are many financial barriers preventing people realise their ambitions to receive a Bachelor’s degree. Aside from the direct costs of tuition, fees, books and IT there are day to day living costs such as childcare and transport to be taken care of to enable full-time education. The Uversity Scholarships take account of each individual’s circumstances and aim to provide full financial support for the full period of study.

The Scholarship will cover some or all of the following costs:

• Registration & tuition fees
• Pre-enrolment education assessments if required
• Laptop, books and other materials
• Wifi and telephone access
• Transportation
• Childcare/Family support
• Living expenses e.g. accommodation/maintenance etc.

Scholarship amounts will vary depending on recipients’ circumstances and will be allocated on a needs basis which will be assed via application and interview. Payments will be made on a phased basis over the course of the degree programme and subject to continued academic registration and progress.

Please see eligibility details here.