Since last year, full maintenance and fees are granted to households with an income of less than €37,365. Seventy five per cent of the grants awarded will go to households on this income level or less.
Families with an income of €42,030 are entitled to a half grant and at an income level of €44,365 families may apply for the quarter grant. These income limits rise where the number of dependants rises above four.
At or below €44,365 a household is not required to pay the Student Services Charge of €788.
Where two or more children, or a child and a parent, are pursuing a course of study the reckonable income limits may be increased by €4,525 where there are two such children, €9,050 where there are three such children and so on, by increments of €4,295.
Maintenance grants rates
Full maintenance non-adjacent rate €3,110. Adjacent rate €1,245.
Part maintenance (75 per cent), non- adjacent rate €2,235. Adjacent rate €935.
Part maintenance (50 per cent) non-adjacent rate €1,555. Adjacent rate €605.
Part maintenance (25 per cent) non-adjacent rate €780. Adjacent rate €€310.
- Each university and institute of technology has its own hardship fund for students who run into financial difficulty at college. This might entail an interest-free loan or a grant.
- The Student Assistance Fund, set up by the EU and now under the aegis of the National Access Office, makes grants aid available to students according to need. The fund is administered differently depending on where you're studying.
- The Back To Education Allowance for unemployed people, people with disabilities and lone parents is available through the college Access Office or the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
- Millennium Partnership funding is available through Department of Education and Science Area Development Managers.