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Student Accommodation Assistance
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) is committed to addressing supply of affordable student accommodation for priority group students, in line with policy commitments set out in the National Access Plan 2022 - 2028 (NAP) . The NAP aims to support inclusion and diversity in the student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable progress. It recognises the needs of vulnerable learners, the most marginalised and those with special and additional needs. The plan targets and supports students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, including those who have experience of the care system, students with disabilities and students from the Irish Traveller and Roma communities.
In November 2023, DFHERIS was awarded Dormant Accounts Funding to pilot a scheme to increase access and alleviate the cost of accommodation as a barrier to higher education for the Traveller and Roma students, as well as those with experience of the care system.
For the 2024/2025 academic year, the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) will include an additional and specific ringfenced allocation 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 is to alleviate the cost of accommodation as a barrier to accessing and progressing through higher education.
To be eligible for the Student Accommodation Assistance:
Students must be a member of one or more of the following groups:
Students must be living independently for the purpose of attending third level education; this includes students renting away from home during the academic year and also those students with leases covering 12 months and beyond.
Students must not be in receipt of another accommodation support e.g., HAP.
Students can reside in on-campus or off-campus student specific accommodation, private rental accommodation, house shares or ‘digs’ accommodation.
Both full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who meet the above specified criteria are eligible for the student accommodation assistance.
Students should apply directly with the access office or student support office in their college. The closing date for applications is the 18th of October 2024.
The assistance awarded will be the total cost of the student’s rent, up to a maximum of €6,000 per academic year. A student must provide proof of their rental costs regardless of if the student resides in private rental, digs, student specific accommodation on and off-campus.
A helpful guide with frequently asked questions can be found here .