Laptop/ICT Device Loan Scheme

As part of the package of support for higher and further education institutions, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has allocated funding to support disadvantaged students in the higher education sector in accessing ICT (Information and Communications Technology) devices. 

Under this scheme, eligible students may receive a laptop (1st year School of Nursing students who are eligible for the LLS will receive the required device for their programme), on a long-term loan, to assist with their studies. 

This service is delivered by a team of staff from Access UCC services (Student Financial Supports & Advice, PLUS Programme, Mature Students Office, Disability Support Service) and the Students' Union. 

Eligibility: 

To be eligible for a laptop students must be: 

• registered as a full or part-time student in 2024-2025 
• and be from a low-income household, with an annual reckonable income not exceeding €50,840 Gross. 

Eligibility will be on a need basis, prioritised as appropriate by UCC. Priority will be given to new entrants to UCC, undertaking the first year of their programme. In all cases, UCC must be satisfied that a student who receives a device under this grant has demonstrated a verifiable need e.g., they are from one of the target groups listed below, and they or their family do not have the means to purchase such a device themselves. 

Ineligible Students:  

• Non-EU fee-paying students, Erasmus and Study Abroad students visiting UCC are not eligible to apply to this scheme.  
• Students who are not taking a programme which leads to a full award (e.g., single modules) are not eligible. 

Target Groups 

Allocation of devices will be based on the target groups identified in the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2019: 

• Students disadvantaged by socio-economic barriers 
• First-time mature students 
• Students with disabilities  
• Students who hold further education qualifications 
• Students who are members of the Traveller and Roma communities. 
• Students who are lone parents 
• Students who are members of ethnic minorities 

Note 

There may be more applicants than devices and there is no guarantee that a student will be successful, even if they meet the criteria. All applicants must provide evidence of socio-economic disadvantage. 

Application Procedure  

To apply students will need to fulfil one of the options below: 

• Provide a full and complete copy of the SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) award letter for the current academic year, showing that they are eligible for a 100% Contribution Fee (Reckonable income must be under (€50,840) OR 
• Confirm that they are a current HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) student in UCC OR 
• Confirm that they received funding from the UCC Student Assistance Fund in 2024/25 OR 
• Evidence that they received a means-tested DSP (Department of Social Protection) payment by providing a full Department Social Protection (DSP) statement of payments for their household for the year ending 2023. 

If a student does not meet any of the categories above, they should apply for the Student Assistance Fund in the first instance, https://www.ucc.ie/en/sfsa/saf/   

Terms & Conditions of the Scheme: 

• It is anticipated that successful applicants will be issued a device for the duration of their academic programme.  
• The device will remain the property of University College Cork.  
• Students who discontinue their studies for a prolonged period for any reason, e.g., leave of absence, full withdrawal etc., are obliged to return the device prior to doing so.  
• Each student is responsible for their device and must commit to following the UCC IT Acceptable Usage Policy 
• A full list of terms and conditions is detailed in our online application form linked below 

Contact: 

 For any queries, please contact the dedicated Laptop Loan Scheme email at : Laptoploanscheme@ucc.ie  

Making an application

To make an application please click here