Student grants that can help pay for university without a loan
Going to university in Ireland can be expensive. Very expensive. In fact, Ireland has the second highest tuition fees in Europe
Students in Irish universities can now rack up loans for tuition fees and living costs totalling up massive costs.
The good news is that most undergraduate students will not need to pay these fees under the Free Fees initiative.
There are however other fees, such as Student Contribution.
The history of university tuition fees in Ireland
Going to university can be expensive for anyone going; with rising rents, cost of living and affording to study for years being factors.
In Ireland, university tuition fees for undergraduates were abolished in 1996.
This was to improve the chances of low socio-economic status (SES) students progressing to university.
However, there has been conversation in recent years that this did not achieve the objective it set out to do. There has been criticism that this reform did not have that effect.
The current cost of studying at university
Fees can vary greatly depending on the course and university you attend.
For example, Trinity College Dublin outlines its fees for different courses, which can vary widely.
The price of fees can also change because of your nationality.
Tuition fees at universities in Ireland are dependent on if you are an EU or international student. Irish and EU students pay lower fees compared to other international students.
All overseas students from outside the EU have to pay non-EU tuition fees, which depending on the type of course you have taken – foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate – can range from €5,500 to €55,000.
How does the Free Fees Initiative work?
Students who meet the certain eligibility criteria for the Free Fees Initiative may be able to benefit from it.
However, those who are eligible for the Free Fees Initiative are required to pay a student contribution charge of €3,000 per year (2023/24 academic year).
Tuition fees may be paid in respect of the full-time students who have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss State/United Kingdom for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to their third-level course and who meet the criteria of the scheme. Eligibility under the scheme is determined at date of entry to the course.
The courses must, other than exceptionally, be of a minimum of two years duration and the courses must be followed in one of the eligible institutions.
The eligible institutions include universities, institutes of technology and some colleges.
What is the student contribution?
Student contribution is also known as a registration fee and it covers student services and examinations.
It is not unusual and most colleges charge an annual student contribution, formerly called the student services charge.
The maximum rate of the student contribution for the academic year 2023-2024 is €3,000.The Student Contribution will be abolished for all incomes under €55,924 from September 2024.
How you can pay for university
Financial help for students with university fees and living costs is available in the form of loans and grants.
How much student financial support is on offer depends on your university, course, age, nationality or residency status, household income and if you have taken a higher education course before.
Student Grant Scheme
You can get support from the Student Grant Scheme while at university. There are certain criteria you must meet, though.
There are two elements to the student grant – a maintenance grant and a fee grant. A maintenance grant is a contribution towards your living costs. A fee grant can cover:
- All or part of your tuition fees
- All or part of the student contribution
- Costs of essential field trips
- If you have qualified for a maintenance grant, you will generally qualify for a fee grant.
If you do not qualify for a maintenance grant, but your family’s reckonable income is below certain limits, you may qualify for a partial fee grant. This means that you will either be exempt from 50% of the student contribution, or exempt from 50% of any tuition fees and all of the student contribution.
Student Assistance Fund
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is another option available for students.
It 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 the following costs:
- Books and class materials
- Rent, heating and lighting bills
- Food
- Essential travel
- Childcare costs for students that are parents
- Medical costs
- Family difficulties, for example bereavement
Fund for Students with Disabilities
Provided you meet the correct criteria, you may also be able to access the Fund for Students with Disabilities.
To be eligible for support under the FSD, a student on an approved course must:
- have a verifiable disability in one or more of the categories outlined
- meet the nationality and residency criteria outlined
- be a participant on a full-time, or part-time (Republic of Ireland only), course; AND
- have a verified need for specific supports to enable participation on their chosen course.
1916 Bursary Fund
The 1916 Bursary Fund is also available, but again is something you must meet the criteria for and apply for.
It is available for first time entrants of an undergraduate programme, who are in full or part-time, with a household reckonable income of less than €25,000.
Back to Education Allowance
If you are unemployed, parenting alone or have a disability and are getting certain payments from the department, you may take part in a second-or third-level education course in Ireland or Northern Ireland and get a Back to Education Allowance.
You must be at least 21 years of age to get Back to Education Allowance (24 years of age if applying for a postgraduate course).
If attending a second-level course, you must have been on one of the below for 3 months or more.
If you are receiving One-Parent Family Payment you must be aged at least 18 years.
Student loans
It is also possible for you to apply to get a student loan in Ireland. There is no government-owned student loan scheme like in the UK, but you can apply for student loans through private financial institutions like banks and credit unions.
Fundraising ideas for university
Not eligible for student finance or in need of a higher loan than you’ve been granted? Consider one of these fundraising ideas to get financial help with university fees and living costs and pay for university without a student loan.
1. Find a sponsor
If you dream of working for a specific company, especially one you have interned at before, approach them about the possibility of sponsorship. If you can persuade them that your university degree would make you a skilled employee, they may agree to help fund your tuition if you commit to returning to work for them after graduating.
2. Send tailored letters to charities
Some charities give out educational grants every year. You’ll need to research their respective criteria to see if you’re eligible. If you are, send a tailored letter demonstrating why you are the ideal candidate, how their money would help and how you plan to give back after graduating.
3. Sell your skills
If possible, give something back in return for donations that links to the skill you wish to develop at university. For example, arts students could consider selling artworks or music students could offer to cover a favourite song. The higher the donation, the better the reward. Post pictures and videos demonstrating your talents to help attract attention to your plight. Please note you cannot exchange rewards for donations on GoFundMe.
4. Put on a fundraising event
There is a huge range of fundraising events to choose from, from themed parties and auctions to quiz nights, raffles, sponsored danceathons, jumble sales, community concerts and more. Consider recruiting local businesses to help in exchange for promotion, and asking friends and family to volunteer their services. If organising an event sounds daunting, consider teaming up with a friend in a similar situation and splitting the proceeds.
5. Crowdfund for university tuition
If you have a convincing and engaging story to tell, then crowdfunding on GoFundMe could be the best route to take. As well as a blog full of fundraising ideas we have plenty of examples of people who have done the same.
For example Faye, who raised thousands as part of a fundraiser to get to Oxford University. Violet also created a fundraiser while she was in education to pay for accommodation and tuition fees.
Start your university fundraiser today
Sometimes you need to fundraise in as fast and faff-free a way as possible. That’s where GoFundMe comes in.
It couldn’t be easier to set up a campaign, share the link on your social media platforms and start racking up donations from supporters. Unlike many other fundraising platforms, there are no hidden fees with GoFundMe.
Our experts are on hand to offer help seven days a week, and you can use our mobile app to check in on your fundraising progress on the move.