Supports & Grants

The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) supports students with disabilities to access college.

The programme improves access to college by allocating a number of third level places on a reduced points basis. 

There are several support systems for students with disabilities who are undertaking courses at third level. Many third-level colleges have a disability or access service which is responsible for giving support and advice to students with disabilities.

The following conditions are considered as part of the scheme, it may not be exhaustive...

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - Includes Asperger's Syndrome. 

• Blind or Vision Impaired

• Deaf or Hard of Hearing

• Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder DCD)

• Dyslexia (Significant Literacy Difficulties)

• Dyscalculia (Significant Numeracy Difficulties)

• Mental Health Condition

• Neurological Condition (including brain injury and epilepsy)

• Physical disability

• Speech and Language Communication Disorder

• Significant Ongoing Illness

If you wish to apply for a college place under the DARE scheme you should apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). When you are filling in the CAO form online you must complete the part of the form to say that you have a disability or specific learning difficulty.

You will then be directed to the separate online Supplementary Information Form.
(You can request a paper version of the form from the CAO.)

The Supplementary Information Form has 3 parts:

• Section A asks for information on your disability and if you wish to be considered for DARE.

• Section B is an Educational Impact Statement, to be completed by your school. It provides information about your educational experience and assists the decision about the third-level supports you need. Speak with your Guidance teacher for help with this!

• Section C is Evidence of Disability which must be completed by the accepted medical consultant or specialist for your particular disability. It provides verification of your disability and helps the decision about the third-level supports that you need.

• AccessCollege.ie

• CitizensInformation.ie

• CAO.ie

The Higher Education Access Route (DARE) supports students from a socio-economically disadvantaged background.

The programme improves access to college by allocating a number of third level places on a reduced points basis. 

If you apply to HEAR and meet the application criteria, you may be offered a place even if you do not have enough Leaving Certificate points for your preferred course. Each participating college and university has a reserved number of places to offer eligible HEAR applicants at lower or reduced Leaving Certificate points. 

An example of a reduced points offer is that the Leaving Certificate points for a particular course is 366 points. An eligible HEAR applicant could be offered a place with a lower points score, e.g. 356 points.

If you get a place through HEAR, you will receive a variety of academic, personal and social supports while at college. College supports may include:

• An Orientation Programme to introduce you to university/college.

• Extra tuition if required, study skills and exam preparation.

• One-to-one meetings with student advisers.

• Social gatherings/mentoring.

• Extra financial assistance when available/ advice regarding grants and scholarships.

• Prioritisation of Applicants Eligible for both DARE & HEAR.

Please speak with your Guidance teacher if you think you may be eligible for HEAR. They understand the system well and will guide you along your application. Have a read of the criteria online, it can appear pretty complicated but we can help you understand it.

https://accesscollege.ie/hear/how-do-i-apply/eligibility-criteria/

If you wish to apply for a college place under the HEAR scheme you should apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). 

When you are filling in the online CAO form you must complete the part of the form to say you wish to apply for the HEAR scheme. You will then be directed to a separate HEAR application form. They will ask for supporting documentation and give you a deadline when it must be all submitted by. 

Again, speak with your Guidance teacher!

Here's a sample checklist for your application.

• AccessCollege.ie

• CitizensInformation.ie

• CAO.ie

The SUSI grant is a form of financial aid provided by the Irish government to help students cover the cost of higher education. It assists with two main areas: tuition fees, often called the "Fee Grant", and living expenses like rent and food, referred to as the "Maintenance Grant". To be eligible, you usually need to meet certain requirements, such as having a household income below a specific threshold. You can apply for the SUSI grant online if you think you might qualify.

If you are approved for the SUSI grant, you'll receive financial assistance in two ways:

1. Fee Grant: If eligible, this grant covers your tuition fees directly. It is paid to your college on your behalf, so you won't receive it in cash. The maximum amount covered varies depending on your course and circumstances.  

2. Maintenance Grant: This grant helps with your living costs and is paid directly into your bank account in installments throughout the academic year. The amount you receive depends on various factors, such as your household income, distance from college, and the number of dependents in your family. Generally, it's paid in 9 instalments from September to May.  

The exact amounts for both grants can vary based on individual situations, so it's best to refer to the SUSI website or your grant notification letter for specific figures. Remember, the Maintenance Grant is paid directly into your bank account, not in cash.  

While both the Fee Grant and Maintenance Grant are part of the SUSI grant scheme, eligibility criteria differ slightly for each. For instance, you might qualify for a Fee Grant to cover tuition fees but not meet the residency requirements for a Maintenance Grant.

Conversely, some students might have a household income too high for a Fee Grant but still low enough to receive some assistance with living costs through the Maintenance Grant.

• There are several factors that determine your eligibility for the SUSI grant, including your nationality or residency status, the course you're pursuing, your household income, and whether you've received grant aid in the past.

• To get a general idea of whether you might qualify, you can use the SUSI Eligibility Reckoner on their website. It's a quick and easy tool that provides an initial indication based on your circumstances. However, it's important to remember that this is just an estimate, and the final decision on your eligibility will be made after you submit a formal application and SUSI conducts a full assessment.

• https://www.susi.ie/eligibility-reckoner-app-irish

• Create a SUSI Account: If the reckoner indicates you may be eligible, you'll need to create an account on the SUSI student portal. This will be your gateway for submitting and managing your application.
  https://grantsonline.ie/gapprod/gap300.xsp
  
  

• Complete the Application Form: Log into your SUSI account and fill out the online application form. You'll need to provide information about yourself, your course, your household income, and other relevant details.

• Submit Supporting Documents: SUSI may request additional documents to verify the information you provided in your application. These could include proof of identity, proof of residency, income documents, and more.

• Await the Decision: Once your application and all supporting documents are submitted, SUSI will review your case and make a decision on your eligibility. You'll receive a notification of their decision through your SUSI account.