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Fee Waivers

Applications for the Open Learning Fee Waivers are now closed

We offer a number of Open Learning Fee Waivers opportunities each year to help support students in need of fee assistance. 

Each fee waiver covers the cost of up to six Open Learning modules for the academic year with a maximum of three per trimester. These fee waivers are funded by the Department of Education and Science, PATH fund and are offered in collaboration with UCD, NCAD, IADT and MIE.

The fee waiver is particularly aimed at students who wish to accumulate credits towards a recognized award and who are restricted by socio-economic factors, family responsibilities or health constraints and may, therefore, be excluded from full-time higher education.

OL Fee Waiver is aimed at students who wish to accumulate credits toward a recognized award and progress into higher education for first the time.

Applicants from low-income households are invited, and priority will be given to:

  • Socio-economic disadvantaged groups that have low participation in higher education (students would demonstrate this by either of the income options below).
  • First-time mature students (Students aged 23 years and over on year of entry to the HEI, with no previous undergraduate degree).
  • Students with a disability, particularly students with a physical/mobility impairment or students with a sensory disability, students who are deaf/hard of hearing, and students who are blind or visually impaired.
  • Members of the Irish Traveller Community
  • Lone parents with a means-tested Social Welfare payment
  • Ethnic minorities
  • Further Education award holder (students entering the undergraduate study with a QQI-FET award) 
  • Refugees and those with leave to remain

Applicants will be assessed based on:

  • Low household income (less than €50,840 a year) and/or receipt of means-tested Social Welfare
  • The rationale for seeking a Fee Waiver 
  • Motivation to study in higher education
  • Career plans  

For further information contact the PATH Open Learning Coordinator, Ciarán Leinster, on ciaran.leinster@ucd.ie. 

Open Learning Scholarship | Terms & Conditions

  1. This is a scholarship funded through HEA PATH, in partnership with UCD, IADT, NCAD,
    and MIE.
  2. Scholarships cannot be deferred.
  3. Students can apply for up to three modules in Autumn and Spring 2023/24
  4. Students can only take modules that are available through the Open Learning programme.
  5. The scholarship will be withdrawn if students face disciplinary proceedings within their
    institution.
  6. Successful candidates may be asked to take part in feedback sessions and publicity material
    to promote the Open Learning scholarship and programme.
  7. In the event of unforeseen circumstances or illness, the usual extenuating circumstances policy for each institution will apply.
  8. Applicants must have a legal entitlement to remain in Ireland to complete their proposed course of study. The onus rests with the applicant to satisfy the institution in this regard.
  9. Open Learning Scholars will be encouraged to act as role models within their institution and their local community.
  10. Personal and supporting information supplied by you in this application will be used by UCD's Access and Lifelong Learning Centre and the Certificate in Open Learning Assessment Board to assess your application for eligibility.
  11. If successful in receiving a scholarship, data will be kept for the duration of your studies, plus one year.

For further information or details regarding these Terms and Conditions please contact: all@ucd.ie

Would you like to appeal the outcome decision?

The Leinster Pillar I Cluster is committed to ensuring all applications are assessed fairly and accurately.

Appeals can be made by emailing all@ucd.ie. Appeals will be independently reviewed on the grounds that the information provided was considered, assessed and scored correctly. The information submitted in the online application and the supporting documentation received will be used in consideration of the appeal. It will not be possible to submit further documentation at the appeal stage. The closing date for Autumn 2023/24 appeals will be the published after the opening of Autumn applications. 

PATH: Programme for Access to Higher Education logo

Funded by the HEA's