Student Advisers

Comhairleoirí na Mac Léinn

Financial Assistance

Please note that the Student Assistance Fund will not be running during the first semester. You will be notified as soon as possible if it will be running in the second semester.

Whereas every student is expected to have budgeted appropriately and sufficiently before embarking on any course of study, UCD recognises that monetary problems can arise for a number of reasons. Many students (and their parents) find it difficult to make ends meet due to ongoing low income and/or other financial commitments. Similarly, financial worries may be the result of unforeseen events like a family bereavement, accident, or illness. For others there is the added consideration of child care costs which significantly impacts on their finances while studying.

To allow for these circumstances, UCD three opportunities for students to apply for financial assistance. If you are unsure whether or not you are eligible for any financial assistance please contact your Student Adviser who will be happy to explain things for you and help you with your application. Also, please click on the following links for further information on these funds.

Student Assistance Fund (SAF)This fund is a means-tested and intended to help those finding it difficult to make ends meet as a result of ongoing low income.
Student Welfare Fund (SWF) The purpose of this discretionary fund is to offer financial assistance to students who encounter unexpected difficulties during their time of study in UCD
UCD Student Childcare Assistance Fund

These schemes are funded largely by European Social Funds through the National Development Plan. All of the schemes are subject to availability of funding.
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Student Assistance Fund (SAF)

Please note that the Student Assistance Fund will not be running during the first semester. You will be notified as soon as possible if it will be running in the second semester.

This fund is means-tested and is intended to help those finding it difficult to make ends meet as a result of ongoing low income. It is funded by the Department of Education and Science with assistance from the European Social Fund under the National Development Plan 2007-2013. The fund is administered by UCD’s Student Welfare and Assistance Committee.

The Student Assistance Fund is open to students who are currently registered for a UCD programme of at least one year’s duration, and which leads to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification.
Applications for the Student Assistance Fund will be available in early October 2011 and will be able to be accessed via your SIS account. You will need hard copy proof of income for 2010 (P21, Social Welfare Statement or a notice of assessment) and receipts. Please begin to gather this information now as procurement of income documentation from Revenue can take some time.

Applicants should note that due to an increase in eligible applications, the funding to each successful student applicant will be limited, and has reduced over the last few years. To maintain a minimum amount of funding to successful applicants, the income threshold for eligibility may be below previous years. Applicants with income above €37,000 were deemed ineligible last year.
- SAF guidelines (PDF)
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Student Welfare Fund

The purpose of this discretionary fund is to offer financial assistance to students who encounter unexpected difficulties during their time of study in UCD. The scope of the fund also encompasses those students who cannot, for various reasons, be financially assisted through the normal channels of assistance. The Student Welfare Fund Committee meets on a regular basis throughout the academic year. Students can, therefore, apply at anytime within the academic calendar.
SWF Application form (DOC)
SWF Guidelines (PDF)

UCD Student Childcare Assistance Fund

The University recognises that some students with family responsibilities may face difficulties with childcare costs. In response to this, it has put in place a childcare subsidy scheme to assist those parents most in need of financial assistance, both those with children in the UCD crèche and those in off-campus childcare. All expenditure through this fund is subject to strict eligibility guidelines and there is no guarantee that any student will receive a subsidy.

To apply, students must complete a UCD Student Childcare Assistance Application Form and submit it, together with a letter outlining their circumstances, to the Childcare Subsidy Committee. Full details of both parents’ contribution to the maintenance of the child must be made. Successful applicants will have to submit monthly crèche/ childminder invoices.

For further information, please contact your Student Adviser, Chaplain or the Students’ Union Welfare Officer.