For the 2024/25 academic year, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) has committed to financially supporting students from priority groups to help them source affordable accommodation. 

The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) will include additional ringfenced funding to assist Irish Traveller, Roma and Care Experienced Students with the cost of their accommodation, when living independently while attending third level education. The aim is to alleviate the cost of accommodation as a barrier to accessing and progressing through higher education. 

Please note that this is a pilot scheme for the 2024/25 academic year.

Eligibility Criteria

The purpose of this assistance is to address one of the wider challenges of accessing third level education for minority group students as set out in the National Access Plan (NAP)

To be eligible for student accommodation assistance:  Students must be a member of the following groups:

• Traveller Community
• Roma Community
• Have experience of the care system between the ages of 16 - 18 and are not eligible for an aftercare allowance.

Additional criteria: 

• Students must be living independently to attend third level education - this includes students renting away from home during the academic year and also those students with leaders covering 12 months and beyond.
• Students must not receive another accommodation support (e.g. HAP)
• Students can reside in student-specific accommodation, private rental accommodation, house shares or "digs" accommodation.
• Students must also meet the eligibility criteria for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF)

Making an Application

For queries on how to make an application to be considered for this fund, please email student.assistancecork@mtu.ie