Student Resources

Financial Supports & Access Schemes

Official information on grants, financial aid, and access programmes available to students in Ireland. All links go directly to official government and institutional websites.

Eligibility criteria change annually. Always check the official websites for the most current information.

Information last verified: March 2026

SUSI Grant

Student Universal Support Ireland

SUSI is the main financial support for students in further and higher education in Ireland. It provides maintenance grants (living costs) and/or fee grants (tuition, student contribution) depending on your circumstances.

Who May Be Eligible

  • Irish/EU/EEA/UK/Swiss nationals (or with certain immigration permissions)
  • Students on approved full-time courses (university, PLC, apprenticeship)
  • Must meet residency requirements (living in Ireland for 3 of the last 5 years)
  • Household income below the published thresholds (reviewed annually)
  • Applicants must not already hold a qualification at the same NFQ level

Key Points

  • •Applications typically open in late April/May each year for the following academic year.
  • •Grants are means-tested — based on gross household income from the previous tax year.
  • •Special rates available for social welfare dependents and those with lower incomes.
  • •Covers PLC courses (Level 5 & 6) as well as undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
  • •Adjacent and non-adjacent rates depend on distance from your college.
  • •You must reapply (renew) every year — it does not automatically continue.

Income thresholds, grant rates, and eligibility criteria are updated every year by the Department of Education. The figures on this page may not reflect the current year. Always check susi.ie for the latest thresholds.

DARE

Disability Access Route to Education

DARE is a college admissions scheme that offers reduced CAO points places to school leavers with disabilities. It recognises that disability can impact your Leaving Certificate performance and provides an alternative pathway to higher education.

Who May Be Eligible

  • Current Leaving Certificate students (or those who sat it in the previous 2 years)
  • Must have a disability that falls into one of the accepted categories
  • Accepted categories include: physical/mobility, sensory (deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired), mental health, neurological (including ASD), significant learning difficulty, ADD/ADHD, speech/language, and others
  • Must be under 23 on 1 January of the year of entry
  • Must provide Evidence of Disability (medical/professional documentation)
  • Must demonstrate Educational Impact (how the disability affected your schooling)

Key Points

  • •DARE operates through the CAO — you apply via CAO and tick the DARE box.
  • •Reduced points offers are typically made in Round A of CAO offers.
  • •Each participating college sets its own reduced points — there is no single threshold.
  • •Not all courses participate — check the DARE course list on accesscollege.ie.
  • •You must meet the minimum entry requirements for your chosen course.
  • •Documentation deadlines are strict — usually 1 March and 15 March each year.
  • •DARE does not apply to PLC courses — it is for CAO higher education only.

DARE categories, documentation requirements, and deadlines change. Participating colleges and courses also vary year to year. Always verify current requirements at accesscollege.ie before applying.

HEAR

Higher Education Access Route

HEAR is a college admissions scheme that offers reduced CAO points places and extra college supports to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It recognises that financial and social circumstances can impact educational opportunity.

Who May Be Eligible

  • Current Leaving Certificate students (or those who sat it in the previous 2 years)
  • Must be under 23 on 1 January of the year of entry
  • Household income must be below a certain threshold (reviewed annually)
  • Must meet a combination of financial, social, and cultural indicators
  • Indicators include: medical card, social welfare payments, DEIS school attendance, local authority housing, family education history, and more
  • Must attend a school in the Republic of Ireland

Key Points

  • •HEAR operates through the CAO — apply via CAO and tick the HEAR box.
  • •You need to meet a certain number of 'indicators' (financial + social/cultural).
  • •Reduced points offers are made in Round A of CAO offers.
  • •Successful applicants may also receive extra supports: orientation programmes, mentoring, financial assistance from their college.
  • •Each participating college determines its own reduced points and supports.
  • •Documentation required includes income evidence, social welfare statements, etc.
  • •HEAR does not apply to PLC courses — it is for CAO higher education only.

HEAR income limits, indicators, and participating colleges change annually. The number of indicators required may also change. Always verify current criteria at accesscollege.ie before applying.

Other Supports Worth Knowing About

Financial

Back to Education Allowance

Weekly allowance for social welfare recipients returning to full-time education (PLC or degree).

Mature Students

VTOS — Vocational Training

Free courses and allowances for unemployed adults aged 21+. Covers PLC and other FET courses.

Emergency

Student Assistance Fund

Emergency financial support from your college for students experiencing hardship during the year.

Bursary

1916 Bursary Fund

Bursaries for students from groups under-represented in higher education, worth up to €5,000/year.

Disability

Fund for Students with Disabilities

Funding for colleges to provide supports (assistive technology, transport, etc.) to students with disabilities.

Tax

Tax Relief on Tuition Fees

Parents/students may claim tax relief on tuition fees paid for approved courses.

Important Disclaimer

The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and was last verified in March 2026. Eligibility criteria, income thresholds, deadlines, and available supports change each academic year. CourseCompass is not responsible for the accuracy of external information. Always consult the official websites linked above for the most current and authoritative information before making any decisions or applications.

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