Financial Assistance for Third Level College
You may be a parent of a student heading off to college, or maybe you yourself are the college student, even maybe a more mature college student – and although this new journey/stage of life can be full of excitement and joy, for some people, it can also bring much anxiety due to the financial burden.
There are several options and supports available to help manage the costs of higher education in Ireland.
If you’re looking for financial assistance as a third-level student in Ireland, or as a parent of a third-level student, here is a list of some supports to consider, which might make all the difference!
1. Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant
- The SUSI grant provides maintenance grants (which assist with living expenses) and/or fee grants (covering student contributions, tuition & other costs associated with course attendance) to eligible students based on their household income.
- Eligibility is based on factors like income, residency, and the type of course you are pursuing.
| Course Type | Maintenance grant | Student Contribution and/or fees | Postgraduate fees |
| PLC Course | ✅ | ||
| Full-time Under-Grad Course | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Part-time Under-Grad Course | ✅ | ||
| Under-Grad Course in UK/EU | ✅ | ||
| Post-Grad Course | ✅ | ✅ |
Please be aware that application deadlines tend to be in June/July each year, and if you are self-employed, you will be required to submit a Revenue Assessment for the previous year, as part of the application/renewal process.
This means that you will need to have your Income Tax return filed early! (the Revenue filing deadline is October but the SUSI grant deadline is June/July).
This earlier deadline can catch out many parents who are self-employed!
2. Student Assistance Fund
The Student Assistance Fund provides financial support to full or part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. Students can apply for the Student Assistance Fund to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties.
The Student Assistance Fund is designed to provide a source of financial support in addition to a SUSI grant.
The Student Assistance Fund is available to help with costs such as:
- books and class materials
- rent and other utility bills
- food
- essential travel
- childcare costs
- medical costs
The above list is not exhaustive, however it is important that the nature of the expenditure for which assistance is being provided is clearly identified.
The application process is usually managed by the student support or welfare office within the relevant college.
3. Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
If you’re over 21 and either unemployed, parenting alone, or you have a disability, and you receive certain payments from the Department of Social Protection, then you could be eligible for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).
The focus of the scheme is to assist people improve their qualifications and as a result improve their access to sustainable employment.
The Further Education option supports courses of study for an award up to and including QQI level 6. This can include Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, Post Leaving Certificate, courses provided by Education Training Boards and Colleges of Further Education, and foundation/access courses for higher education.
The Higher Education option supports courses of study up to and including Honours Degree (QQI level 8), and in limited circumstances can include postgraduate study.
The Back to Education Allowance can support students taking Springboard+ and Human Capital Initiative courses with modified rules.
4. Scholarships and Bursaries/College Specific Supports
- Many institutions offer scholarships and bursaries based on academic achievement, sporting excellence, or other criteria.
- Some scholarships are also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or those studying specific subjects.
- Several colleges offer their own financial aid programs, such as hardship funds, book grants, or emergency financial assistance.
- I highly recommend researching what might be available in your particular college – a short conversation with one of the college advisors may be very worthwhile!
- Another good port of call would be to check out your local credit union – most credit unions also have scholarship funds – however, you must be a member of the credit union to apply. For example, my own local credit union, Heritage Credit Union awards 6 scholarships each year, worth €1,500 per year, for up to 4 years.
5. Education loans
Certain financial institutions in Ireland offer student loans to cover tuition fees and living costs.
These loans typically have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment terms compared to standard personal loans.
Some credit unions offer education loans with favourable terms, including the possibility of making interest-only repayments while studying.
6. HEAR and DARE Schemes
HEAR (Higher Education Access Route):
- The HEAR scheme is a higher education admissions scheme for Leaving Certificate students (under 23) whose economic or social background are underrepresented in higher education.
DARE (Disability Access Route to Education):
- The Dare scheme is for students with disabilities.
- These schemes provide reduced points entry to college as well as additional financial support.
What disabilities are open to consideration under this scheme?
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger’s Syndrome)
- Blind/ Vision Impaired
- Deaf/ Hearing Impaired
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) – Dyspraxia
- Dyscalculia/ Significant Numeracy Difficulties
- Dyslexia/ Significant Literacy Difficulties
- Mental Health Condition
- Neurological Condition (including Brain Injury and Epilepsy)
- Physical Disability
- Significant Ongoing Illness
- Speech and Language Communication Disorder
7. Part-time Work – Learn & Earn
- Many students in Ireland work part-time to support themselves financially.
- It can also be a great life lesson for young people as they start their career journeys, and valuable experience can be gained especially if the work is related to their studies. Which can also assist them in finding their first jobs post qualification.
- Assuming that the student has earnings of less than €18,750 in a tax year, there is likely to be no tax payable. However, PRSI and Universal Social Charge may apply but these combined deductions are likely to be < 5% of gross pay.
8. Rent Tax Credit
For 2024 and 2025, the rent tax credit is €1,000 for a single person – this doubles for a married couple.
The rent tax credit covers individuals paying their own rent, and also parents paying rent for their children, to facilitate their attendance at an approved course.
9. Tax relief on college fees
Tax relief can be claimed on qualifying fees (including student contribution) that you have paid for third level education courses.
The student or the person paying the fees can claim this tax relief.
The first €3,000 (full-time course) or €1,500 (part-time course) is disregarded for tax relief. However, if you have paid fees for more than one student, this disregard amount will only be deducted from your claim once.
10. Uversity
Uversity’s Scholarships help to alleviate the financial barriers that may be preventing older students, aged 23 and over, from earning a Bachelor’s Degree for the first time.
11. 1916 Bursary Fund
The 1916 Bursary is a financial award to encourage the participation and success of students from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education.
The 1916 Bursary is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Department of Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and aims to encourage participation and success by students who are most socio-economically disadvantaged and from groups most under-represented in higher education.
12. St Vincent de Paul Bursary Fund
The SVP Education and Training Bursary Fund has been established to support students of all ages who may financially struggle to access or stay in third level education and training programmes.
The Bursary Programme will consider all recognised third level education and training programmes for funding. However, postgraduate studies (Master or PhD) or private colleges are not eligible.
This list is not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of financial assistance, and I recommend that you do your own research into financial assistance. But hopefully, this will give you some ideas on how to lessen the financial burden facing you or your child on your/their third level education journey.
Good luck to you all in this new chapter in life!
Some other good resources which may be of assistance to you:
Higher Education Authority (HEA)
