Student Accommodation Assistance - Frequently Asked Questions for Students
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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Last updated on
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
For the 2024/2025 academic year, funding is being provided to assist students from Traveller and Roma backgrounds and those with experience of the care system with the cost of accommodation, when living independently while attending third level education.
The aim of the Student Accommodation Assistance is to alleviate the cost of accommodation as a barrier to accessing higher education.
Below is a list of all participating Higher Education Institutions.
To be eligible for the Student Accommodation Assistance students must be a member of one or more of the following groups:
Eligible students must be registered on full-time or part-time courses leading to a higher education award (National Framework of Qualifications level 6-10) in Irish universities, institutes of technology and other approved colleges as outlined above.
This funding is available for all types of accommodation, including but not limited to:
No, students must not be in receipt of another accommodation support e.g., Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to be eligible for the student accommodation assistance.
Yes, you can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Mature students with experience of the care system between the ages of 16-18 must show that they did not receive aftercare payments.
Yes, you can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Yes, you can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Yes, you can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria.
No, International/non-EU fee paying students are not eligible for this assistance.
Check with the access office or student support office in your college. It is important to apply as soon as you can. The closing date for applications is the 18th of October 2024.
Applications are made through the access office in your college.
Your lease agreement should be provided, which must include your rental fees per month.
For those who do not have a lease agreement, proof of rent payments should be provided for example by producing a bank statement showing these payments or producing a receipt of rent payment.
Your college can provide you with a form that you can bring to your local aftercare drop-in service clinic or to your local social worker to complete. This form can also be downloaded.
Student Accommodation Assistance Form for Care Experienced Students
The form must be signed and stamped by a social worker, care worker or representative of TUSLA.
A list of drop-in service clinics can be found here .
The Student Accommodation Assistance is administered on a strictly confidential basis by your college. Any information you provide as part of your application is protected under the data protection regulations of your college.
No, funding will depend on levels of demand. It is important to understand that it is your responsibility to pay any rental commitments in line with your lease agreement.
All applications will be processed by the access office in your college. You will be notified in December if you have been unsuccessful/successful in your application.
You will be emailed to your student email account. If your application has been approved this email will state, the amount of your payment and the date that payment will be made.
Support up to a maximum of €6,000 per student for the 2024/2025 academic year. Amounts will vary depending on the cost of the student’s accommodation.
For example,
The funding will be paid into your bank account in two separate instalments. One payment will be made before the end of 2024 and the second will be paid in your second semester in 2025.
Before payments are made administrators will ensure that the student is attending their course on a regular basis.
It is important to understand that it is your responsibility to pay any rental commitments in line with your lease agreement. The Student Accommodation Assistance will not be paid in advance.
No, this is not guaranteed. This funding has only been agreed for the 2024/25 academic year.