Student Assistance Fund
The Student Assistance Fund is a fund available to all students (the income threshold is in line with SUSI thresholds). All registered EU students (subject to EU status or have official Refugee Status), for 2024/25 academic year are entitled to apply for the fund – it is based on the household income of 2023.
Applications to the Student Assistance Fund can be made online at Student Assistance Application Form
Please be aware that only one application per student can be made for the Student Assistance Fund per academic year.
If you were awarded the Student Assistance Fund earlier this academic term and are still experiencing financial hardship, it is advised that you contact UCCs dedicated Budgetary Advisor on studentbudgetingadvice@ucc.ie
General guidelines and case studies are available on this website.
For further guidance, please see our information video
About the Student Assistance Fund (SAF)
The Student Assistance Fund provides financial assistance for full-time higher education students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college, if you are a part-time registered student for the academic year 2024/25 please visit our Financial Aid Part-Time Fund for further details.
The Student Assistance Fund is partly supported by the Irish Government and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020. The Student Assistance Fund provides a further source of funding for higher education students in addition to the SUSI Student Grant Scheme.
All registered EU students (subject to EU status or have official Refugee Status) for the 2024/25 academic year are entitled to apply to the fund – it is based on the applicant’s household income for the year 2023.
Combined household income thresholds are in line with SUSI thresholds, and if reckonable income exceeds €55,924 you may not be eligible for an award. Please also be aware being under this amount does not guarantee an award.
- Funds are limited and not all applicants may be eligible and/or may not be awarded funding.
- Students can only apply once per academic year and if successful, awards are a once-off payment.
- There is no official closing date for the Student Assistance Fund, but once all funds are dispersed the fund will close.
The Student Assistance Fund is a fund available to all students (the income threshold is in line with SUSI thresholds). All registered EU students (subject to EU status or have official Refugee Status), for the 2024/25 academic year are entitled to apply for the fund – it is based on the household income of 2023.
OPENING DATE AND TIME:
The Student Assistance Fund will open at:
12 Midday, Monday 16th September, 2024
Applications to the Student Assistance Fund can be made online at Student Assistance Application Form once the fund opens – application forms are not available prior to this time
Please be aware that only one application per student can be made for the Student Assistance Fund per academic year.
Application Process Explained
Applications are assessed on the basis of household income for the year 2023. Dependency on parental income will be determined by the age of the student as of the 1st of January of the year they commenced their studies.
The documents generally required to complete your application include:
- PAYE Employment - Statement of Liability for the year 2023
- Self Employed - Notice of Assessment/Self-Assessment letter 2023 and Form 11A
- Department of Social Protection payments - Statements for 2023 (1st January 2023 -31st December 2023)
- SUSI Award Letter(s)
SUSI FINANCIAL DOCUMENTATION: |
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1st Year |
2nd Year* |
3rd Year* |
4th Year* |
Upload your SUSI Award Letter for 2024/2025, dated 2024 all 3 pages |
Upload your 1st SUSI Award Letter (3 pages) dated 2023 AND your 2024/25 SUSI RENEWAL Letter(1 page) |
Upload your 1st SUSI Award Letter (3 pages) dated 2021 AND your 2024/25 SUSI RENEWAL Letter(1 page) |
Upload your 1st SUSI Award Letter (3 pages) AND your 2023/24 SUSI RENEWAL Letter(1 page) and any other SUSI reassessment letter that would have been completed during the duration of your degree (2-3 pages) |
Please note: As you progress through the application form, your household situation will be determined and the information you provide will guide you as to what financial documentation you need to provide to support your application. Different circumstances will have a bearing on the documentation you will be required to furnish in support of your application.