The special rate of maintenance grant, or top-up grant, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds has been raised by 22.5 per cent to €5,970. The annual income threshold for the top-up grant is up seven per cent to €16,748.
Each university and institute of technology has its own hardship fund for students who run into financial difficulty at college. This might entail an interest -free loan or a grant. Talk to your student adviser.
The Student Assistance Fund, originally set up by the EU, and now under the aegis of the National Access Office, makes grants aid available to students according to need.
The fund is administered differently depending on where you're studying, so talk to your welfare officer or student adviser about applying.
The Back To Education Allowance for unemployed people, people with disabilities and lone parents is available through the college Access Office or the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
Millennium Partnership funding is available through Department of Education and Science Area Development Managers.