What is the value of a 1916 Bursary?

Each student who is awarded the 1916 Bursary will receive a bursary to the amount of €5,000 for each year of their undergraduate programme of study. The bursary will be paid each year of the course up to a maximum of four years for full-time students and six years for part-time students as long as the recipient complies with the bursary guidelines and progresses to the next academic year of their course.

 

How many Bursaries will be awarded in the South Cluster SOAR Project?

The South Cluster SOAR Project have a total of 35 bursaries available to award, 7 bursaries for each of the five institutions.

 

I am a Postgraduate Student. Can I apply for the 1916 Bursary Fund?

No. The 1916 Bursary Fund is only open to first time, new entrant pursuing an undergraduate course and progressing to higher education for the first time in the 2019-2020 academic year.

 

I am a continuing student. Can I apply for the 1916 Bursary Fund?

1. The 1916 Bursary Fund is only open to first time, new entrant pursuing an undergraduate course and progressing to higher education for the first time in the 2019-2020 academic year.
2. Applicants must first meet socio-economic disadvantage criteria, that is the household / family reckonable income is less than €24,000 in 2018 and can provide evidence of such by demonstrating:

 

I am a part-time student.  Can I apply for the 1916 Bursary Fund?

Yes, but only if you are pursuing an approved part time undergraduate course leading to a major higher education and training award at Level 6 (Higher Certificate), Level 7 (Ordinary Bachelor Degree), Level 8 (Honours Bachelor Degree) on the national framework of qualifications or equivalent awards that take not less than two years to complete in one of the SOAR Project South Cluster Higher Education Institutions.

 

 

I am repeating first year. Can I apply?

Applications from those currently repeating Year 1 of their undergraduate programme will only be considered in cases where evidence is supplied that a significant life event was the reason for poor performance in the last academic year. Examples of such life events include major ill health which was certified at the time, pregnancy, bereavement in the immediate family.

 

How is my application assessed?

Your application will be assessed on the basis of information provided on the online application (part I) and (part II) and the supporting documentation uploaded to application (part II).

 

Applicant is eligible for the Special Rate level of SUSI grant

and/or

in receipt of a Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) means-tested social welfare payment

1. Applicant must be from at least one of the following target groups:
2. a national of a Member State, a state which is a contracting state to the EEA agreement or the Swiss Confederation,
3. or person whose current immigration status or leave to remain under the Department of Justice and Equality, is one of the following:
4. Refugee (including programme refugees);
5. Subsidiary Protection;
6. Permission to remain as the family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 and 2008 and EU Directive 2004/38/EC (EU Treaty Rights provisions);
7. Permission to remain because of marriage/civil partnership with an Irish national or as dependent child of such person;
8. Humanitarian leave to remain granted before the Immigration Act 1999 came into effect; Permission to remain following a decision not to deport under Sections 3 of the Immigration Act 1999; or
9. Permission to remain as a dependent child of a person who has acquired Irish Citizenship by naturalisation, residing in the State.

• Socio-economic groups that have low participation rates in higher education
• Students with a disability, particularly students with a physical/mobility impairment, students are who deaf/hard of hearing and students who are blind or have a visual impairment.
• Lone parents in receipt of a means tested social welfare payment
• Irish Travellers
• First time, mature student entrants
• Students entering on the basis of a QQI Further Education award
• Persons from Ethnic Minorities who are lawfully present in the State and are:

For further clarification, please see Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011 and regulation 5 of the Student Support Regulations 2018, SI 101 of 2018.

Other indicators of socio-economic disadvantage that will be considered:

• Live in a disadvantaged, very disadvantaged or extremely disadvantaged area according to the Pobal Area Deprivation Index based on 2016 Census of Ireland data.
• Attended at a DEIS second level school for a minimum of 5 years.
• Are / were in the Care of the State / TUSLA.

Applicants that meet financial criteria and multiple target group criteria will then be considered for the 1916 Bursary Fund on the basis of this information together with information provided in the personal statement and references submitted. 

Please note all applicants must:

• be a new entrant, pursuing an undergraduate course and progressing to higher education for the first time in the 2019-2020 academic year.
• have been resident in the Irish State for three of the past five years on the date on which the first year of study commences.
• be studying an approved full time or part time undergraduate course leading to a major higher education and training award at Level 6 (Higher Certificate), Level 7 (Ordinary Bachelor Degree), Level 8 (Honours Bachelor Degree) on the national framework of qualifications or equivalent awards that take not less than two years to complete in one of the SOAR Project South Cluster Higher Education Institutions.

 

Will the 1916 Bursary Fund affect my SUSI Grant?

Students will be entitled to hold the 1916 Bursary and the student grant simultaneously, where they meet the eligibility conditions of the student grant scheme. The 1916 Bursary will be an income disregard for the purposes of ‘reckonable income’ in the student grant scheme.

 

Can I hold the 1916 Bursary Fund if I have been awarded other Scholarships?

Applicants cannot hold the 1916 Bursary and other scholarships. 

 

Will the Bursary affect my Social Welfare payment?

No – the 1916 Bursary Fund does not affect your means tested or other payments from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

 

Can I keep my Rent Allowance and Medical Card with the 1916 Bursary Fund?

The Bursary should not be counted as income when you are being assessed for any means tested payments.

 

Can I avail of the supports of the Fund for Students with Disabilities if I get the 1916 Bursary Fund?

Yes you can apply. Each Higher Education Institution will assess applications for the Fund for Students with Disabilities using their own processes.

 

Are there any other financial supports available in college?

Yes.  Each Higher Education Institution has a Student Assistance Fund to support qualifying students experiencing financial hardship. Please contact the Access Service of the college to find out more.  Please contact www.ucc.ie/en/saf  to find out more.   

 

If my application is unsuccessful, can I make an appeal?

Yes the South Cluster SOAR Project committed to ensuring the all applications are assessed fairly, accurately and according to the Department of Education and Skills guidelines.

The grounds for appeal are:

That you believe there was an “administrative error in assessment” i.e. that you think a mistake was made when your application was being reviewed that led to you not being awarded the Bursary.

All appeals will be considered by an Appeals Panel.

 

How do I make an appeal?

Information on the South Cluster SOAR Project will be published later.

 

If I am awarded the 1916 Bursary Fund, how will I be paid?

You will be paid by electronic payment to your bank account.

 

What is expected of me if I am awarded a 1916 Bursary Fund?

1916 Bursary Fund Recipients are expected to:

• keep within the rules and regulations of your institution.

• agree to any assessment set out by your institution for your course.
• agree to the department managing the 1916 Bursary Fund confirming that you have
• meet with a Student Advisor in your institution at least twice per year.

Recipients may be asked to attend or be part of events organised by the institution to increase awareness of the 1916 Bursary Fund.

 

If I am awarded the 1916 Bursary Fund, can I repeat a year of study?

The 1916 Bursary Fund cannot be paid for a repeat year unless the institution agrees that there were “exceptional circumstances” i.e. medical or personal reasons why you could not complete the year. You would be expected to provide written evidence of your illness or personal situation from a professional outside your family group. You would also be expected to work with the student supports within your institution during your difficulty and at a minimum have advised someone in your college that you have an issue ongoing.

 

Data Sharing

Data sharing arrangements will be in place between the participating South Cluster Higher Education Institutions, subject to data protection considerations.

 

How do I get more information?

Please email info@soarforaccess.ie if you have any questions regarding the 1916 Bursary Fund.