Financial Support

Student Assistance Fund 2010/11

What is the Student Assistance Fund?

The Student Assistance Fund aims to ensure that disadvantaged students receive financial supports to enable them to fully benefit from their studies and in particular to assist them in overcoming financial obstacles which may otherwise cause them to abandon their studies.

Am I Eligible To Apply?

• To receive payment from the Fund any tuition or registration fees must be paid in full
• Attending a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate course of not less than one year’s duration
• Experiencing acute or unexpected hardship

How Do I Apply?

• Complete  and sign the application form emailed to all students and posted on the Access Office noticeboard and provide documentary evidence as follows:
  • evidence of grant or if not approved for grant family / parental income,
  • evidence of current bank balance  and recent transactions on date of application,
  • evidence of rent or mortgage (not required if living in parental home),
  • evidence of loan(s) (if applicable) and any income (eg. payslip or lodgement in bank account)

Place form and documentary evidence in an envelope and place in the Student Assistance / Childcare Folder on the Access Noticeboard.  This folder is checked twice daily for correspondence.

Applications are open until mid-January 2012.

What Happens to My Application

Those who submit a completed application and all relevant documentation will be contacted to confirm receipt of the application and to organise an interview.  This interview will focus on personal income and expenditure, the purpose why a grant is requested and the amount required.  Bank details are also required for this interview and applicants will be required to sign a declaration that the information provided is complete and true and that receipts will be provided for the expenditure of any grant received.

• Applicants will receive notification on the decision of the committee as soon as is possible and successful applicants will receive payment into their bank account
• Most applicants will receive payment in a number of instalments.  The second and subsequent instalments will follow the submission of receipts relating to the expenditure of earlier payments.
• Receipts for expenditure should be provided by the student to the Access Office within three weeks of receipt of funding.  Failure to do so will preclude the student from receiving further support from the fund.

Please note, funds are limited. Contact will not be made with those who do not submit completed applications and supporting documentation.

“The Student Assistance Fund is funded by the Irish Government and part funded by the European Social Fund under the Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013”