Please see below the full range of entitlements and grants available for people attending college.
STUDENT GRANTS
MAINTENANCE GRANT
The maintenance grant is the main source of financial assistance available to students in full-time third level education. This grant scheme is operated by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Co. Dublin VEC. If you are attending a Further Education College you apply to the VEC for the grant and if you are attending a University or an Institute of Technology you apply to the County Council. If you are ensure of which category your college fits into it is best to check with the college before applying to ensure you make your application to the correct body.
Family and/or personal income is a key factor that will be assessed when you apply for a maintenance grant but there are also some other conditions. To receive a grant application form and a document outlining the various conditions you need to meet for a grant please contact Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council or Co. Dublin VEC directly.
Higher Education Grants Section
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
County Hall
Marine Road
Dun Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
Grants and Scholarship Section
Co. Dublin VEC
1 Tuansgate
Belgard Square East
Tallaght
Dublin 24
FUND FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
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. Eligible students can receive assistance from the Fund from PLC level right up to doctoral level. You do not have to be in first year of a course to be eligible to apply for the Fund. Students cannot apply directly for assistance from this fund – the application must be made by the college. Colleges are also responsible for the management of the funding approved for eligible students. Applicants to this fund are not means-test. However, they must meet a number of conditions.
STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND
The Student Assistance Fund provides financial assistance for full-time higher education students who are experiencing financial difficulties whilst attending college. This scheme is not available in further education/PLC colleges. Each year, publicly-funded colleges are allocated funds from the State to provide additional financial assistance for students in need of some help with a temporary or ongoing financial issue. You can apply for assistance from this fund directly from your college. Each college will have an application form for this assistance.
BACK TO EDUCATION ALLOWANCE
The Back to Education Allowance (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.
The BTEA allows qualifying persons to return to full-time education in approved courses while continuing to get income support. Approved programmes range from foundation courses to postgraduate courses.
From this September, students entering a new course who are in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance will no longer be eligible for a maintenance grant. Such students can, however, apply under the relevant maintenance grant scheme to have the student services charge and any tuition fees payable for the course paid on their behalf.
The BTEA is administered by the Social Welfare Office. For more information and an application form you can visit visit www.welfare.ie or contact:
Nutgrove Social Welfare Office
Nutgrove Shopping Centre
Rathfarnham
Dublin 14
01 4069010
TAX RELIEF FOR TUITION FEES
If you find yourself in a position whereby you have to pay tuition fees – for example, if you are attending a private college – you may be eligible for tax relief. For more information on this contact the Revenue Commissioners – www.revenue.ie