1916 Bursary Fund

At a glance

  • Value:  €5,000
  • You must be applying for the first time to an undergraduate programme to be eligible for this scholarship
  • Questions about this scholarship can be directed to 1916BursaryQueries@soarforaccess.ie

The 1916 Bursary is now open for applications, closing date is Thursday 25th January 2024 at 5pm.

Please see www.1916bursary.ie for details.

 The 1916 Bursary Fund was first established by the Department of Education and Skills in 2017.The purpose of the 1916 Bursary Fund is to encourage participation and success by students who are most socio-economically disadvantaged and who are from groups most under-represented in higher education. Bursaries are awarded through regional clusters of higher education institutions.

1916 Bursary Fund: South Cluster SOAR Project

The South Cluster is comprised of the following higher education institutions:

  • SETU- South East Technological University,
  • Munster Technological University,
  • University College Cork .

The 1916 Bursary Fund is administerd by the South Cluster’s SOAR Project on behalf of the four institutions. The SOAR Project is an inter-institutional Access initiative funded under the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) 3 Fund.

What Bursaries are available?

There are three different types of bursaries – Tier 1, 2 and 3.

Tier 1 Bursaries: Awardees will receive €5,000 per year for the normal duration of an undergraduate programme and up to a maximum of six years for a part-time programme. The bursary will also be paid as the awardee progresses to postgraduate study.

Tier 2 Bursaries: Awardees will receive €2,000 per year for the normal duration of an undergraduate programme and up to a maximum of six years for a part-time programme. The bursary will also be paid as the awardee progresses to postgraduate study.

Tier 3 Bursaries: Awardees will receive a once-off bursary of €1,500 for the 2023/24 academic year only.

Who can apply for a 1916 Bursary? (Eligibility Criteria)

Applicants must meet financial, college entry and target group criteria in order to be deemed eligible for consideration for a bursary.

 Financial Criteria

  • Applicants must demonstrate that they would 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) long-term means-tested social welfare payment.

AND

College Entry Criteria:

  • Applicants must be first-time new entrants to higher education for undergraduate study or 
  • “Second-chance” socio-economically 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.
  • Applicants must also have been resident in the State (Republic of Ireland) for three of the past five years on the date on which their first year of study commences.
  • Applicants must be pursuing an approved full-time or approved part-time undergraduate course in one of the approved institutions in the regional clusters of HEIs.

AND

Target Group Criteria:

  • Students from communities, groups or areas that are socio-economically disadvantaged or that have low levels of participation in higher education;
  • Students who qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant under the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI) and/or in receipt of a Department of Social Protection (DSP)payment are also considered to be socio-economically disadvantaged.
  • Socio-economically disadvantaged mature students (23 or older on 1 January of their year of entry to higher education- and having never previously accessed higher education) ;
  • Students with a disability;
  • Members of Irish Traveller community;
  • Members of Roma community;
  • Students who are carers (confirmed by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) as holding a long-term means-tested carer’s allowance).
  • Further education and training award holders progressing to higher education;
  • 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 from ethnic minorities who are lawfully present in the State 

 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.
  • Student who is paying non-EU fees

*Excluding those who satisfy Second Chance study status as indicated in the 'Who can apply'section and guidelines.

What is the application Deadline?

The 1916 Bursary is now open for applications, closing date is Thursday 25th January 2024 at 5pm.

All students are advised to first refer to information provided on this website regarding the application process and eligibility criteria.

How is my application assessed?

Your application will be assessed on the basis of information provided on the online application and the supporting documentation uploaded with the application. Applicants must meet the college entry, financial and target group eligibility criteria set out in the 1916 Bursary Fund Guidelines in order to be considered for the bursary. The following additional indicators of socio-economic disadvantage will also be considered:

  • Attended at a DEIS second level school for a minimum of 5 years.
  • Is or was in the Care of the State / TUSLA.
  • Is or was previously homeless.
  • Is or was previously living in supported accommodation.
  • Was previously living in Direct Provision or currently transitioning out of Direct Provision.

 It is expected that the number of applications will exceed the number of bursaries available. The SOAR Project will prioritise those deemed in greatest need; who are socio-economically disadvantaged and can provide evidence of membership of the target group(s); the institutions will give due regard to ensuring that the benefit of the bursaries is maximised.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate the significance and impact of the socio-economic disadvantage and barriers experienced. In accordance with the guidelines 20% of all Tier 1 bursaries must be awarded to lone parents.

Queries

Please refer to www.1916Bursary.ie  and/ or https://www.soarforaccess.ie/1916-bursary-fund/ for further information on the 1916 Bursary 2023/24.

For queries please email - 1916BursaryQueries@soarforaccess.ie 

 

 

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