Grants and Financial Matters

Written by AHEAD Staff

What source of funding is available for students with disabilities studying at third level in Ireland?

Currently the main source of available to students with disabilities is the Special Fund for Students with Disabilities. The fund, which is administered by the Department of Education and Science is not a maintenance grant. It is a grant for assistive or adaptive technology that a student with a disability may need while they are in college. The way in which is the application procedure currently works is as follows.

Students with Disabilities who are applying to the fund must be registered with a recognised third level Institution i.e. a University an Institute of Technology or a PLC centre. The Disability/ Access Officer receives the application forms from the Department. The student then works in conjunction with the Disability/Access Officer in completing the form once they have discussed what supports a student feels they may need. Completed forms are then returned to the Department by mid October. However funding does not usually come through until just before Christmas or early January.

Can I keep my Disability Allowance when I go to college?

Yes you can retain your Disability Allowance while in college. However students with disabilities can now avail of the Back to Education Allowance. This payment is the same amount as the Disability Allowance but there are added benefits. These include a once year payment of 500 euroat the start of the academic year to help with the cost of books or course equipment (from Sept 2008). Another advantage of the scheme is that students can work while on the scheme without it affecting their payment. To avail of the Back to Education Scheme students must be registered on a full time course. Also to qualify for BTEA you must have been in receipt of Disability Allowance for the previous six months. To find out if you qualify you should contact your local Social Welfare Office or Citizens Information Centre.

Can I get any grant to study on a part-time basis?

None of the Irish statutory or European Grant Schemes currently extend to students studying on a part-time basis.

I have just finished my primary degree and I'm thinking of staying on at college to do a Post-Grad. What grants or scholarships are specifically available for graduates with disabilities?

Doctor Ciaran Barry Scholarship awarded by the Central Remedial Clinic.

Each year the Central Remedial Clinic offers a Scholarship to a student with a disability studying in any discipline at post-graduate level. Further information can be obtained from the Central Remedial Clinic. Contact them on 01-8057400.

Fulbright Scholarships.

The Fulbright Commission awards a number of Scholarships to graduates with disabilities on an annual basis. Two of these Scholarships are The Jean Kennedy Smith Scholarship which is awarded to a candidate wishingto pursue research in the US in any discipline and The Fulbright American Ireland Fund Scholarship. This scholarshipis awarded to a graduate wishing to undertake research at Gallaudet University for the Deaf.

These Scholarships are usually advertised in the National Press in the Autumn of each year. Further information may be requested from Hainault House, Saint Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.

Where can I find out more information about financial supports?

You can also find out more information on student financial supports in further and higher education by visiting www.studentfinance.ie