Financial Assistance Service
Grants and Scholarships
Higher Education Grant
Student wishing to apply for a Higher Education Grant should contact their Local Authority for details. The Finance Office is responsible for the distribution of the Higher Education Grants.
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.
