In January 2011, new reduced grant rates, and qualification criteria, were introduced by the Government.

Please click here to find out how recent cuts in the grant affect you.  

Alternatively, go to www.studentfinance.ie for detailed instructions on how to apply for a maintenance grant and to find out if you are eligible.  

How to Apply for a Student Grant: 

Step One:  Find out where and under which scheme you should apply.

Step Two:  Check your CourseThe grant is only awarded for approved courses.In general, the grant is given if you are entering an approved course for the first time but there are some exceptions for mature students and for people in other circumstances. 

Step Three:  Check your Residency

Roughly speaking you must have been living in the area to which you are applying for at least a year before the start of your course.     

Step Four:  Check your Nationality/Status  

You must hold:

• EU nationality, or nationality of a member country of the EEA or Switzerland.
• Official Refugee Status.
• Humanitarian Leave to remain in the State or  
• Permission to remain in the State through: Marriage to an EU national that is residing and employed in the State; being a child of such a person not having EU nationality.  

Step Five:  Check the Grant Levels and Your Distance from College

If you live over 45kms from your college or are a mature student, you may be entitled to the non- adjacent rate of the grant for which you qualify. 

Step Six: Check the Income Limits and Number and Educational Status of your Family

This part of the process can cause difficulties for some applicants.  What level of the grant you get, if any, depends on:Your family's financial circumstances.The number of children in your family.The number of members of your family who are studying an approved course.

Please note: 

If you are under 23, you must be assessed on your parent's income. If you are over 23, you may be assessed on your own income, but not necessarily.

Step Seven:  Download the Application Form

You can download the form here.

 
Step Eight: Course Acceptance Form

If you get approved for a grant, you will receive course acceptance forms, these should be completed and returned to your local grant a uthority in order to complete your application. 

Step Nine: Change of Circumstances If at any stage your family circumstances change or have changed in the past year, you should inform your local grant authority to see if the change affects the type of grant that you are entitled to. 

FAQs:

 
Q: I was refused a grant, is there anything I can do?  

A: Grant refusals are unfortunately generally the last word. Due to the inadequacies of the current system, there is no external means to appeal.   Y ou can appeal directly to the VEC or Local Authority and ask for an appeal form. If you are still unhappy, you can write to the minister for Education.



Q: I will be studying outside of Ireland/Northern Ireland this year, can I still get a grant?

A: Yes, provided it is as part of an approved course and you have applied on time.

http://www.studentfinance.ie/