FAQs 2021/22

I am a Postgraduate Student and was not awarded the 1916 Bursary Fund previously, can I apply for it now?

No. The 1916 Bursary Fund is only open to first time, new entrants pursuing an undergraduate course and progressing to higher education for the first time in the 2023-2024 academic year.

I am already in college. Can I apply for the 1916 Bursary Fund?

1. The 1916 Bursary Fund is only open to first time, new entrants pursuing an undergraduate course and progressing to higher education for the first time in the 2023-2024 academic year.
2. keep within the rules and regulations of your institution.

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 serious ill health which was certified at the time, pregnancy, bereavement in the immediate family.

When will I be told the outcome of my application?

It expected that applicants will be informed of the outcome within six weeks of the online application closing date.

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

Yes the 1916 Bursary is committed to ensuring the all applications are assessed fairly, accurately and according to the PATH 2 1916 Bursary Fund guidelines. All appeals will be considered by an Independent Appeals Panel. 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.

How do I make an appeal?

An appeal can be made by unsuccessful applicants via an online appeals form only. The link to the online appeal form will be communicated to all unsuccessful applicants in the application outcome email. The information submitted and the supporting documentation uploaded to the online application will be used in the consideration of the appeal. No additional information or supporting documentation can be submitted with the appeal. The decision of the Independent Appeals Panel is final. The outcome of the appeal will be communicated to all appellants within one week of the appeals closing date.

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.

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

No students are not permitted to hold a 1916 Bursary (Tier 1, 2 or 3) in conjunction with any other bursary, scholarship or award, irrespective of value.

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

No students are not permitted to hold a 1916 Bursary (Tier 1, 2 or 3) in conjunction with any other bursary, scholarship or award, irrespective of value.

I wish to study abroad as part of my programme, can I avail of additional financial support to facilitate this if I have been awarded the 1916 Bursary Fund?

Where relevant, a bursary recipient is permitted to avail of any additional financial supports available to them where they are benefitting from the opportunity to study abroad as part of their course e.g. Erasmus+.

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 about the Student Assistance Fund and other financial supports that may be available.   

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:

• agree to any assessment set out by your institution for your course.
• engage and co-operate with the department managing the 1916 Bursary Fund in your institution.
• awardees 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 are in place with participating South Cluster Higher Education Institutions, CAO and SUSI subject to data protection considerations.

How do I get more information?

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

The PATH 2 1916 Bursary Fund Implementation Guidelines 2023/2024 are available at

https://hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/1916-bursary-fund/