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The cost of college is always a big worry for students and parents. It is important to be aware of all the different supports available.
Below are some of the supports available, especially for students moving from secondary school to further or higher education but this is not an exhaustive list – every college, community and area of study even have different supports available. Don’t be shy about reaching out to ask for more information, asking for help when you need it or submitting applications when you are eligible for grants or bursaries.
If you have any questions or think BITE could help you, email programmedirector@biteballymun.com
You might already know about SUSI and even gotten your grant, but many students forget about the holiday earnings disregard. If you are a student and have paid income you should be aware that a deduction of up to a maximum of €6,552 may be made for income earned from employment outside of term time, but within the previous calendar year or reference period by an applicant who was in education (including post primary). This is to encourage students working outside of term time rather than during college and will reduce the likelihood of part-time work negatively impacting your SUSI.
For example, two students who are both in receipt of the Special Rate of SUSI and their reckonable household income was both just under €25,000. Both decided to work to have extra money and they earned the same amount of €4,000 however
Student A worked weekends and evenings every week during the academic year and the other Student worked full time during the summer only. Student B is able to submit a holiday earnings disregard for all the income they earned, and SUSI disregards the €4,000 ensuring they keep the same rate of SUSI (the special rate).
Student A cannot apply for the holiday earnings as she worked during term time and the earnings from the part-time job brings her household income over €25,000. They are moved now to a different SUSI rate and see their maintenance grant from SUSI change from just over €3,000 to less than €2,000 a year.
BITE recognises it is not always possible for students not to work during the academic year, but where possible students should try to work as little as possible during term time not only because of the potential impact on grants but the impact on the academic and social side of college.
Link to the Holiday Earnings Form (susi.ie)
The Student Assistance Fund provides financial support to full or part-time students and is designed to provide a source of financial support in addition to a SUSI grant to help with some of the additional costs of college
Students can be awarded funds from the SAF to cover various college-related costs such as:
This list of costs is not exhaustive. However, tuition fees, registration fees, student loan repayments or any costs borne by your college are not covered by the Student Assistance Fund.
Most universities / colleges operate two types of SAF funding; General SAF and HEAR / Access SAF. There may be certain criteria you must meet to be deemed eligible for SAF funding so it is important to reach out to your college to ask when to apply for SAF and get your application in early.
To see which colleges participate in the Student Assistance Fund head to Student Assistance Fund | Funding, Governance and Performance | Higher Education Authority (hea.ie)
Most colleges also operate an emergency fund for students who find themselves in an emergency situation such as illness, funeral costs etc – always reach out to your college if you are in an emergency financial situation even if SAF is closed.
The 1916 Bursary is an financial award of up to €5,000 per year (in addition to a student's SUSI supports) created specifically to support students who are significantly underrepresented in higher education.
What are the criteria?
Financial + Priority Group + College Entry = Eligible for consideration.
If you are in receipt of the SUSI Special Rate (this is the highest level of support from SUSI and household reckonable income must be under €25,000) and you belong to one or more of the groups below you may be eligible for the 1916 Bursary.
Each participating college has a limited number of bursaries which are awarded to the eligible applicants that present the greatest need. You apply for the Bursary when you are in the first year of your ordinary or high-level degree (level 7 or level 8).
To find out more about the 1916 Bursary, visit the Home - The 1916 Bursary
Dublin Northwest Partnership (DNP) offer educational access supports including travel support and small grants for students from within their catchment (Finglas, Cabra and Ballymun) to encourage and support participation in further and higher education.
Contact jo.toomey@dublinnorthwest.ie for more information
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.
Find out more at Education Grants Archives - Society of St. Vincent de Paul (svp.ie)
