Financial Assistance @ LIT

Student Grant​​

The student grant is the main source of financial help available from the Irish State for students in full-time Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLCs) and full-time higher education undergraduate/postgraduate courses. For eligible students, the grant is there to help with the various costs of participating in further or higher education. Students on part-time courses, access or foundation courses (in higher education institutions) and short courses are not eligible to apply for a student grant.

Family and/or personal income is a key factor that will be assessed when you apply for a student grant but there are also some other conditions. If you think you are eligible for the student grant, you should apply for it as soon as possible. You do not have to wait until you receive an offer of a place or enroll in college. Only when your application has been completed in full and submitted to the grant-awarding authority can your eligibility be determined.

Full details on the Student Grant scheme 2011, including associated legislation, are available here.

Student Assistance Fund

The Student Assistance Fund is funded by the Irish Government and part funded by the European Social Fund under the Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013. Administered by the Access Service the Fund provides limited support for whole-time LIT students who are in severe financial difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances, or who are disadvantaged and require additional financial support to enable them in so far as is possible to participate fully in their studies while at the Institute.

Students who apply to the fund are assessed on an individual and confidential basis. Students will be required to produce financial information to support their application for assistance. The areas that could be considered for funding include rent, food, personal household bills, medical expenses etc. Funding is not available under this fund for the cost of tuition fees or registration fees. Funding is approved by the Student Funding Advisory Committee.

For more information click here.

Child-minding Subsidy

The Limerick Institute of Technology child-minding subsidy administered by the Access Service provides limited support for whole-time LIT students who are in financial difficulty with childcare costs and therefore require additional financial support to enable them in so far as is possible to participate fully in their studies while at the Institute.

Students who apply to the fund are assessed on an individual and confidential basis. Students will be required to produce financial information to support their application for assistance. Funding is approved by the Student Funding Advisory Committee.

For more information click here.

Fund for Students with Disabilities

The Fund for Students with Disabilities allocates funding to further and higher education colleges for the provision of services and supports to full-time students with disabilities. The Fund aims to ensure that students can participate fully in their academic programmes and are not disadvantaged by reason of a disability.

For more information click here.

www.studentfinance.ie

For all information on these funds and all funding available to students in higher education see www.studentfinance.ie. Studentfinance.ie is a user friendly comprehensive website that will help students and their families navigate through financial support systems.