1916 Bursary Fund

The 1916 Bursary is for first-time entrants to higher education who are from one or more of the following priority groups: 

• Students from communities, groups or areas that are socioeconomically disadvantaged or have low levels of participation in higher education, including those who have experienced homelessness, the care system, survivors of domestic violence, and those who have experience of the criminal justice system.
• Students who qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant under the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI) and/or are in receipt of a Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment are also considered to be socio-economically disadvantaged.
• Socioeconomically disadvantaged mature students (23 or older on 1 January of their year of entry to higher education – and having never previously accessed higher education);
• Second-chance socioeconomically disadvantaged mature students. Such students may be considered for a bursary where they have:
  • previously attended but not completed a course
  • had a three-year break in studies since leaving the course, and
  • are returning to attend an approved course.
• Students with a disability
• Members of the Irish Traveller Community
• Members of the Roma Community
• Further education and training award holders progressing to higher education
• Students who are carers (confirmed by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) as holding a long-term means-tested carer’s allowance)
• Lone parents or teen parents (confirmed by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) as holding a long-term means-tested social welfare payment)
  • At least 20% of Tier 1 bursaries will be targeted at lone parents
• Students who are migrants, refugees or who are from ethnic minorities who are lawfully present in the State.

What does “SocioEconomically Disadvantaged” mean for the 1916 Bursary Fund?

Applicants must show that their household income meets the criteria for the SUSI Special Rate of Maintenance Grant in the year ending 31 December 2024. The SUSI Special Rate of Maintenance Grant has three thresholds based on the number of dependent children in the household.

Less than 4 = €27,400; 4 to 7 = €€30,030; 8 or more = €32,555. The income threshold increases by €4,950 per additional person in college. 

Students on Back to Education Allowance or other DSP social welfare payments can hold a 1916 Bursary without impacting their Back to Education Allowance entitlement or other social welfare payment.

Who can apply for a 1916 Bursary? 

• Students in Year 1 of an undergraduate programme in this academic year (2025/26)
• Students who entered through advanced entry into the second year of their programme.
• Students who are experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage and are from one or more of the socioeconomic groups that have low participation in higher education, as listed above.
• Students must provide evidence of socioeconomic disadvantage regardless of the target group.
• Students must be able to demonstrate that they would qualify for the highest level of SUSI grant. Applicants must be able to provide evidence that shows they are experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.
• Students must be applying for a full-time or part-time undergraduate course in a publicly funded institution that:

(a) Takes not less than two years to complete,

And

(b) On the successful completion of which a student is awarded a major higher education and training award at level 6 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications.

• There is no restriction on the programme of study.

Who cannot apply for a 1916 Bursary? 

• Students who are not first-time entrants to higher education
• Students who have already received a qualification at the same level
• Students on a full-time or part-time undergraduate course in a publicly funded institution that takes less than two years to complete, or on the successful completion of which a student is awarded a major higher education and training award at level 5 or below on the National Framework of Qualifications
• Students whose reckonable income is assessed as over the maximum income limit
• Postgraduate students
• Students in years other than the first year

What do I need to do before I start my application form?

Please make sure you have all documents required before you begin your application.

1. You must agree to the data sharing policy in order to proceed with the application        
2. Locate your CAO number.
3. Locate your student email address
4. Provide your phone number.
5. Find your Eircode.  
6. Locate the documents required to support the information provided in your application form. Save these to your device as you will need to upload them to complete your application.
7. You must have your PPS number.  It is very important that you insert the correct number.
8. If you have applied to SUSI you will need the W number or your application number. 

Please have all documents ready to upload with your application.         

Applications are made online via the 1916 Bursary Application Portal from 4 September to 10 October 2025 at 5 pm. Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and prepare their documentation in advance.

For more information, visit the national 1916 Bursary web page.

For queries or further information, email 1916bursary@dcu.ie or contact the Access Office.

Please note: The entire assessment process takes at least two months. You will be notified in due course.

If you are a Tier 1 or Tier 2 1916 Bursary scholarship student and you're progressing to a postgraduate programme in the 2025/26 academic year, please email 1916bursary@dcu.ie to find out about continuing your bursary.

If you are a final year Tier 1 or Tier 2 1916 Bursary scholarship student and you plan to apply for a postgraduate programme in 2026, either in DCU or another institution, please email 1916bursary@dcu.ie with any questions you have.

For any queries related to your 1916 Bursary payment, please email 1916bursary@dcu.ie.