Funding

What funding is available at third level for students with disabilities?

Some students with disabilities will require some level of support at college. This can include reading support for visually impaired students, note-taking in lectures for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing or for those who have difficulties with writing. It can also include assistance in workshops and laboratories for students who have difficulties participating in practical sessions / tutorials.

ESF Fund for Students with Disabilities
Back to Education Allowance
Disability Allowance
Student Assistance Fund
The Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholarship
Postgraduate Research Scholarships
CRC Research Trust

What is the ESF Fund for Students with Disabilities?

Administered by the National Access Office on behalf of the Department of Education and Science, this fund (which is not means tested) is available to undergraduates and postgraduates with disabilities. The fund is designed to cover many of the educational support requirements for students with disabilities, including:

Irish Sign Language Interpreters.
Note-takers.
Subject specific Tutors.
Transport to and from College.
Photocopying.
Personal Assistants.
Assistive Technologies - both hardware and software.
Information Technology - both hardware and software.

It is not intended to cover:

Disability-related costs such as medication.
Study-related costs such as books, stationary costs etc.

Students who normally qualify for this fund are:

Students registered blind or visually impaired.
Students registered Deaf or hearing impaired.
Dyslexic students if they have an Educational Assessment carried out by a qualified Educational Psychologist.
Wheelchair users or students with mobility difficulties.
Students who have significant long term illness.
Students with medical verification of any stated condition that affects their ability to study at third level.
Application to the fund is made annually by the Disability or Access Service in the third level institution, who will in turn notify those students registered with their service.

An assessment of the student’s educational support needs is carried out by the Disability / Access Service as part of the application process. The application form is then signed by both the student and the Access/Disability Service. The information provided by the student with a disability is treated as strictly confidential and made subject to the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998. To ensure that students receive their support on time, there are four types of applications. These include:

Students who have received support from the fund in the previous year must submit a Renewal Application (May).
Students who have a change of needs as a result of their disability must submit a new application or a Change of Needs Application (May / June).
First year students, or students who registered late in the preceding year, must submit a New Application (September / October)
Students who register after the closing date of a new applicant in October must submit a Late Application (up until February of the year of study).

The funding is not a direct grant to the student but is administered through the Disability / Access Service. Some Colleges hold a register of Educational Support Workers (e.g. Tutors, Sign Language Interpreters, Library Assistants etc) to help students get their supports quickly and conveniently.

It is important to note that any equipment provided under this fund remains the property of the third level institution.

What is the Disability Allowance?

Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a disability, whose income falls below certain limits and who are aged 16 or over and under age 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to both medical suitability and a means test. The current maximum personal rate of Disability Allowance is 204.00 euro per week and is subject to budget increases.

What is the Back to Education Allowance?

Authorised by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is an educational opportunities scheme for students over 21 years of age, unemployed people or lone parents.

If a student with a disability wishes to avail of this then they must be in receipt of a disability benefit. The funding will cover full time education and will cover a higher diploma in education and a post-graduate diploma in primary education.

Rates of Payment

Back to Education Allowance is paid at a standard rate, so if you are currently receiving a reduced rate of payment, you will be entitled to a higher rate of the allowance.

If you are receiving an unemployment payment, you will be paid a Back to Education Allowance equivalent to the maximum standard rate of Jobseeker's Benefit.

If you are receiving One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Deserted Wife's Allowance/Benefit, Widow/Widowers Non-Contributory Pension, Widow/Widowers Contributory Pension, Blind Pension or Carers Allowance, you will be paid an allowance at a rate equivalent to the maximum rate of your current social welfare payment.

If you are receiving Invalidity Pension or Incapacity Supplement, the amount of your payment will remain unchanged.

The allowance will include increases for a qualified adult and child/children where they are applicable.

Back to Education Allowance is payable in the same way as your current social welfare payment.

Students can also avail of a once-off Cost of Education Allowance for the amount of €500.00 (from Sept 2008) under this scheme.

What is the Student Assistance Fund?

Students with disabilities can apply to the Student Assistance Fund while attending third level. This fund is administered by the Department of Education and Science under the auspices of the Higher Education Authority.

What is the Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholarship?

The National College of Ireland (NCI), on behalf of Bank of Ireland, administers the Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust.

The Trust, which will run up until 2010, provides up to 60 scholarships each year to third level students who, because of economic circumstances or other barriers such as disability, are prevented from reaching their full potential. Awards can be anything up to 5,000 euro and can cover educational and living costs for students in third level education.

There is no upper level restriction on candidates’ ages, but applicants must be at least 16 years old at the time of the course commencement. Closing dates for application are normally March / April of each year.

What are the NDA Postgraduate Research Scholarships?

The NDA Postgraduate Research Scholarships aim to promote postgraduate research in Ireland on matters relating to disability. The Scholarships are open to postgraduate students undertaking a PhD or Research Masters Degree, whose research is relevant to the current strategic priorities of the NDA. The value of each scholarship is up to a maximum of 12,700 euro per annum for a maximum of three years full time study.

What is the CRC Research Trust?

The Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) Research Trust awards grants for research mostly directed towards solving difficulties associated with physical disability.

Applicants must be graduates of a recognised university or third level college and must be accepted by a recognised third level institution as part of a postgraduate degree or diploma, or as the subject of a major postgraduate thesis.

All grants cover one academic year. Applications for research grants must be made to the Administrator of CRC Research Trust by 1st May or 1st November.

What are the Higher Education Grants for Third Level?

The Higher Education Grants are given for full-time education at third level and can cover post- graduate studies as well as primary degrees, although they are not specifically for students with disabilities.

Administered by local authorities and financed by the Department of Education and Science under the management of the Higher Education Authority, these grants are means-tested. The amount given depends on where the student lives in relation to the third level institution, i.e. the amount varies if you live within or outside a 15-mile radius of the college.

As well as full fees being paid, a maintenance allowance is also given and there is an extra once-off payment made to those students who receive under 13,760 euro in income supports annually.