Financial Supports
The government provides a range of financial supports to encourage adults to continue their education. There are different criteria for each type of support. Click on the link which describes your situation to read more about what is available.
Financial Support linked to social welfare payments
There are a number of additional funding supports for people who are receiving a social welfare payment to return to education, whilst keeping their social welfare payments. The following are the main schemes currently available:
- Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
- The Part-Time Education Option (PTEO)
- Education, Training and Development Option (ET&D Option)
- Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)
These schemes are operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP), so check in your local Intreo office, or with your case worker, what option may be available to you.
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
If you are unemployed, parenting alone or have a disability and are getting certain payments from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, you may take part in a Further or Higher Education course and get a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) (not to be confused with Back to Education Initiative, BTEI which is a type of further education course).
BTEA is available for persons who are:
- Progressing upwards on the level of qualifications*
- Attending a recognised course of study and in a recognised college (includes further and third level education)
- In receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment (for a specific period of time, which differs depending on the level of the course)
- Starting the first year of a course of study
*For example, if you have a Level 6 qualification, the course you attend must at least a Level 7 qualification. However, exceptions are made for people with specific circumstances. For example, if the qualification you have is in an area that is no longer growing. Your DEASP Case Officer must also recommend the course if you are getting a jobseeker's payment.
More detailed criteria and information about the BTEI can be found here and you can also talk to your Social Welfare case officer about your options.
Training Support Scheme
The Training Support Grant (TSG) is designed to fund quick access to short term training or related interventions, obtain or renew certification and permits for individual jobseekers that have identified work opportunities and where Case Officers have identified an immediate skills gap preventing a jobseeker commencing a job offer.
For further information on moving from Social Welfare to training or education please check gov.ie/dsp for benefits and supports.
The Part-Time Education Option (PTEO)
The Part-Time Education Option (PTEO) allows you to keep your Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit and attend a part-time day or evening course of education or training. There are no specific eligibility criteria for the PTEO. You can be any age and may be unemployed for any length of time before starting a part-time course of education.
BUT, you must continue to meet the conditions for Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance. This means that you must be able to show that you are still actively looking for and willing to take up work and that the course is likely to improve your chances of getting a job. If you are offered work while on the course you will be expected to accept the job offer.
Education, Training and Development Option (ET&D Option)
On the ET&D Option, you may continue to get your Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit while attending certain short education, training or development. Your Intreo centre may make special signing-on arrangements so that you can attend your chosen course.
This scheme is for people who are:
- At least 21 years of age OR between 18 and 20 and out of the formal education system for at least 2 years
- Have been getting Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit or signing on for unemployment credits for at least 6 months (156 days).
The types of courses you can attend are short courses, from a one day course up to 10 weeks. The purpose of the course should be to improve your chances of getting a job, such as:
- Personal development courses
- General training courses
- Specific job skills courses
- Evening courses
The course must be approved by a case officer.
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)
VTOS aims to give unemployed people education and training opportunities that will help them to get paid employment or to further educational opportunities, while keeping their current social welfare payments.
VTOS courses are free but they must be full time and can take up to two years and lead to qualifications such as Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate and Further Education award (QQI).
You can qualify for VTOS if you are aged at least 21, have been unemployed for at least 6 months before you start the course and are in receipt of any the following payments:
- Jobseekers Allowance/Benefit
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Disability Allowance
- Illness Benefit
- Invalidity Pension
- Blind Pension
- Deserted Wife's Allowance
- Deserted Wife's Benefit
- Widow's or Widowers Non and Contributory Pensions
- Prisoners Wife's Allowance
Note: recipients of Illness Benefit must get permission from the Department to start a VTOS course.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to a small lunch allowance and a travel allowance depending on how far you have to travel to the VTOS centre. You may also get some childcare support. The VTOS allowance is not means-tested, so you may work without it affecting your payment. Students on VTOS usually receive free books and materials at the start of their course. VTOS payments are made for a maximum of 2 years. If you are getting an unemployment payment and you are getting an increase for your spouse or partner, they may also participate in VTOS.
For more information about VTOS click here
Search for VTOS courses here
For further information on the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme VTOS, contact your local education and training board. Find contact information for your local ETB here
Financial Support not linked to social welfare payments
Many further education courses do not charge tuition fees, or may charge a very small fee if you do not qualify for any social welfare payments. Because of this, there is not many financial supports available for further education courses, unless you meet certain Social Welfare criteria.
When you study at higher education, there are significant costs involved, including tuition fees, the student contribution charge and maintenance, or cost of living. There are a number of financial supports which cover different costs:
Free Fees Initiative
The Free Fees Initiative in Ireland means that eligible students do not have to pay the tuition fees. This is not means tested, but there are a number of criteria which have to be met, such as:
- It’s a full-time course
- The course is a minimum of 2 years
- The course must be in one of the eligible institutions
- It must be the first time the student is pursuing an undergraduate course at the same level
Undergraduate students are generally automatically assessed for free fees. If you are required to apply, this is normally done through the College fees office.
Students who are eligible for the Free Fees Initiative are still required to pay a student contribution charge of €3,000 per year (2019/20 academic year). However, students can apply to SUSI for a grant towards their student contribution or tuition fees.
More information is available from the HEA (Higher Education Authority)
Fees, Tuition Fees and Maintenance Grants from SUSI
SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is the higher education student financial support authority in Ireland. SUSI offers grants to eligible students in approved full-time third-level education in Ireland and also, in some cases, funding for students studying outside the State.
The Grant scheme is made up of 2 components:
- A Maintenance Grant
- A Fee Grant
The Maintenance Grant is a contribution towards the student’s living costs, while the Fee Grant can cover any of the following 3 elements:
- Tuition fees
- Student contribution and
- Cost of essential field trips.
In general, if you qualify for a maintenance grant you will also qualify for whatever elements of a fee grant apply to your situation.
Grants are means tested and are available to both school leavers and mature students returning to education, if they are eligible.
Eligibility depends on a number of factors, such as the course level, course provider and your income. To find out if you are eligible to apply, use the SUSI eligibility reckoner
SUSI uses an online application system for grant applications. The system opens every year in Spring (usually April) and closes in October or early November.
To apply for student grant via SUSI click here
Disability support and equipment
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) ensures that eligible students on PLC and Higher Education courses have the necessary help and equipment to participate in education. The FSD is not paid to the student, but to the college as they are legally responsible for the provision of supports such as:
- Assistive technology equipment and software
- Non-medical helpers (for example, personal assistants or note takers)
- Academic or learning support
- Deaf supports including sign language interpreters and speed text
- Transport support
There are some criteria to be met in terms of the course level, the course provider and the student (e.g. disability diagnosis).
Contact the Disability Service in your college to enquire about accessing such support and equipment. It is the college which is responsible for applying for the FSD, following an assessment of need.
For more information see HEA (Higher Education Authority)
You can also read more about disability support in Further and Higher Education from AHEAD (Association of Higher Education Access and Disability)
Student Assistance Fund
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial support to full-time or part-time students in higher education who are experiencing financial difficulties. The SAF is available to help students with costs such as books, food, rent, childcare costs and medical costs. Tuition fees, registration fees, student loan repayments or any costs borne by your college are not covered by the SAF.
You apply for the SAF from your college and if you are in financial difficulty make sure to contact student services in the college for more information on how to apply for the SAF.
Tax Relief
If you pay or have paid tuition fees, you can claim tax relief. Applicants are advised to contact their local tax office in relation to this and to note that the course must be delivered through or in conjunction with an approved institution. For more information click here
Springboard+
Springboard+ offers free places on over 280 courses in the field where there is an identified shortage of qualified people, including Health, ICT, Business and Natural science and many more areas. Some eligibility criteria applies.
Bursaries and Scholarships
Bursaries and scholarships are financial awards for students which are awarded based on various criteria, usually reflecting the geographical location, and/or the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award. Scholarships and bursaries are not loans and no re-payment is required.
There are a wide range of scholarships available from different third level institutes around Ireland. You can search for scholarships here
The Higher Education Authority has also listed a wide range of bursaries and scholarships for third level students here
Below are some other examples, but please note that this is not an exhaustive list:
Uversity Scholarship
Uversity’s Scholarships provide multi-annual financial support as it aims to remove the financial barriers to pursue a Bachelor’s degree for the first time. Scholarships are not limited to specific subject areas and enable individuals 23 years or older to complete a Bachelor’s degree in one of the participating institutions in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Uversity’s Scholarships take account of each successful candidate’s circumstances to provide financial support for the entire period of study. Payments are made over the course of the degree programme and are subject to continued academic registration and progress.
For more information, see https://u-versity.eu
St Vincent de Paul
There is some help at local level for clients of St. Vincent de Paul through an assistance fund. Applicants can apply to the Education Officer in the Society, enclosing a letter outlining what they are studying and what factors are inhibiting their studies. Generally this fund is reserved for learners who have not been successful with other agencies.
The Credit Union – Loans and Grants/Bursaries
Credit Unions in Ireland offer both bursaries and loans for members for studying at all levels of further and higher education:
- Education Grants/Bursaries - Credit Unions provide a number of education grants or bursaries in their catchment areas for students studying at all levels of further and higher education. Some credit unions base the award on academic qualifications, while others run an open draw.
- Education Loans - Credit union education loans are often offered at a cheaper interest rate than other types of loans. Credit unions offer education loans to members, either for themselves or for a son or daughter who study a full-time course in higher education. Some credit unions may offer finance for other types of education and training.
For more information, contact your local credit union and you can read more here
Dublin Port Company Scholarships
The Dublin Port Company scholarships provide opportunities for individuals living in the Port area of Dublin to access education. Candidates include school leavers, mature students and individuals wishing to pursue third level foundation courses and repeat leaving certificate students.
SIPTU Education & Development Support Scheme
Workers who are Members of SIPTU can apply for financial support of up to €1,000 for each year of an educational course for a maximum of 4 years, relating to trade union issues, equality, industrial relations and the wider labour movement. Closing date for applications is usually in September annually.
