SAF -Student Accommodation Bursary

For the 2024/25 academic year, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) has committed to financially supporting students from priority groups to help them source affordable accommodation

For the 2024/25 academic year, the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) will include additional and specific ringfenced funding which will be utilised to assist students from Irish Traveller and Roma backgrounds and those with experience of the care system with the cost of accommodation, when living independently while attending third level education.  The aim is to alleviate the cost of accommodation as a barrier to accessing and progressing through higher education. 

This is a pilot scheme for the 2024/25 academic year. 

Eligibility Criteria

Students will not be required to prove that they are socio-economically disadvantaged to be eligible for student accommodation assistance.  The purpose of this assistance is to address one of the wider challenges of accessing third level education for minority group students as set out in the National Access Plan (NAP)

To be eligible for student accommodation assistance:  Students must be a member of the following groups:

• Traveller Community
• Roma Community
• Have experience of the care system between the ages of 16 - 18 and are not eligible for an aftercare allowance.

Students must be living independently to attend third-level education - this includes students renting away from home during the academic year and also those students with leaders covering 12 months and beyond.

Students must not receive another accommodation support (e.g. HAP)

Students can reside in on or off-campus student-specific accommodation, private rental accommodation, house shares or "digs" accommodation.

In addition, students must also meet the eligibility criteria for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF)

Making an Application

To make an application apply here

For Students with experience in the care system between the ages of 16 - 18 years of age, the below document needs to be completed by a Social Worker, Care Worker or representative of TUSLA.

 Appendix 1 Student Accommodation Assistance Form for Care Experienced Students 

Closing Date for Applications 18th October 2024