Student finance
Grants and Other Financial Supports
There are a range of financial support schemes to assist students in meeting the costs of being a student. These include:• Maintenance grant
• Student Assistance Fund
• Fund for Students with a Disability
The main and largest scheme is the maintenance grant, which is means-tested and provides various levels of grant assistance for most full-time higher education courses in Ireland. Currently, the scheme does not apply to students engaged in part-time study. The main financial support for part-time higher education is through tax relief on tuition fees.
www.studentfinance.ie provides information for prospective students, their families and guidance personnel on financial support for further and higher education. You can check whether your chosen course preferences are approved for the maintenance grant, and you can also find out what the income limits are for your particular circumstances.
An important tip for all students is to make sure to explore all of the funding schemes that you may be eligible for, and apply as early as possible in each case.
Did you know that you do NOT have to have your course destination confirmed before you can apply for a maintenance grant? The grant application process opens in the summer well before the main CAO offers period; you can apply for a maintenance grant before you receive an offer or accept an offer.