Finance Office - Fees

Higher Education Grant

Student wishing to apply for a Higher Education Grant should contact their Local Authority for details. The Registry Office is responsible for the distribution of the Higher Education Grants.

HEA have launched a new information website www.studentfinance.ie It contains information on the range of financial support programmes available in further and higher education.

Change of Family Income

A student whose family income has changed can apply to be considered for a grant (or an increased level of grant) at any stage in his/her programme. The basis for such an application can be the current family situation rather than income in the last financial year.

Illness

The Higher Education Grant is not normally paid during a repeat year. However, if it can be shown that illness was the reason for repeating, the Local Authority may agree to pay the grant during the repeat year.

Mature Students

To apply for the Mature Student Grant, the student must be at least 23 years of age on January 1 of the year of entry to full-time third-level education. For the grant, the income of the mature student is assessed (plus spouse if applicable) - unless the mature student is considered to be dependent on their parents and in that case the income of the parents is also assessed. The Local Authority should be contacted for further information.

Transfer Students

While transfer students can continue or commence a Higher Education Grant or VEC Scholarship on transferring to one of our degree programmes, the first year at DCU is unfunded. This happens if a diploma-holder transfers into second year, or a certificate-holder into first year. The University is not normally able to make good this deficiency by means of the Remission of Fees Scheme of the Financial Assistance Service.

Postgraduate Students

These students can continue their Higher Education Grant or apply for one if they satisfy the means test and have not completed another postgraduate course.

Distribution of Cheques

Grant and scholarship cheques are distributed by the Registry Office during the office hours specified. Students must produce a valid student card before cheques can be released.

Maintenance Cheques

Maintenance cheques are generally received in three instalments, usually October, January and April. The names of Local Authorities and Vocational Education Committees from whom maintenance cheques have been received will be e-mailed on a daily basis. Students are advised to check their e-mail regularly.

Some Vocational Education Committees will be paying maintenance monies by credit transfer to the student's bank account. Those students to whom this arrangement applies will be advised directly by their respective Committees.

It is the responsibility of students to collect maintenance cheques from the Registry Office. Cheques not collected will be returned to Local Authorities and Vocational Education Committees, which may result in the grant being discontinued.

Local Authority/Vocational Education Committee Grants

First year undergraduate and postgraduate students in receipt of grants from Local Authorities or Vocational Education Committees, and continuing students receiving a grant for the first time, are required to produce official notification at registration

INTRA and SOCRATES Programmes

Students entitled to receive maintenance cheques and who are participating in these programmes can request, in writing only, that the Registry Office post out maintenance cheques to their listed home address.