I am a Postgraduate Student and was not awarded the 1916 Bursary Fund previously, can I apply for it now? No. The 1916 Bursary Fund is only open to first time, new entrants pursuing an undergraduate course and progressing to higher education for the first time in the 2024-2025 academic year.

I am already in college. Can I apply for the 1916 Bursary Fund? No. The 1916 Bursary Fund is only open to first time, new entrants pursuing an undergraduate course and progressing to higher education for the first time in the 2024-2025 academic year.

I am a part-time student. Can I apply for the 1916 Bursary Fund? Yes, but only if you are pursuing an approved part time undergraduate course leading to a major higher education and training award at Level 6 (Higher Certificate), Level 7 (Ordinary Bachelor Degree), Level 8 (Honours Bachelor Degree) on the national framework of qualifications or equivalent awards that take not less than two years to complete in one of the SOAR Project South Cluster Higher Education Institutions.

I am repeating first year. Can I apply? No. The 1916 Bursary is only open to Undergraduate Students who are first time new entrants.

When will I be told the outcome of my application? It expected that applicants will be informed of the outcome  eight weeks after the application closing date.

If my application is unsuccessful, can I make an appeal? Yes. The South Cluster SOAR Project is committed to ensuring that all applications are assessed fairly, accurately and according to the PATH 2 1916 Bursary Fund guidelines. All appeals will be considered by an Independent Appeals Panel. The grounds for appeal are: That you believe there was an “administrative error in assessment” i.e. that you think a mistake was made when your application was being reviewed that led to you not being awarded the Bursary.

How do I make an appeal? An appeal can be made by via an online appeals portal only. The information submitted and the supporting documentation uploaded to the online application will be used in the consideration of the appeal. No additional information or supporting documentation can be submitted with the appeal. The decision of the Independent Appeals Panel is final. The outcome of the appeal will be communicated to all appellants within one week of the appeals closing date.

Will the 1916 Bursary Fund affect my SUSI Grant? No. The payment from the 1916 Bursary is not counted as income by SUSI. Where relevant students are permitted to hold a 1916 Bursary in combination with the SUSI grant. The 1916 Bursary will be considered as an income disregard for the purposes of ‘reckonable income’ in the student grant scheme.

Will the Bursary affect my Social Welfare payment? No – the 1916 Bursary Fund does not affect your means-tested or other payments from the Department of Social Protection.

Can I keep my Rent Allowance and Medical Card with the 1916 Bursary Fund? The Bursary should not be counted as income when you are being assessed for any means-tested payments.

Can I hold the 1916 Bursary Fund if I have been awarded other Scholarships? Tier 1 and Tier 2 recipients of a 1916 Bursary are not permitted to hold any other bursary, scholarship, or award, irrespective of value. However, Tier 3 bursary holders may hold another bursary, scholarship, or award of not more than €1,500 in the same academic year.

I wish to study abroad as part of my programme, can I avail of additional financial support to facilitate this if I have been awarded the 1916 Bursary Fund? Where relevant, a bursary recipient is permitted to avail of any additional financial supports available to them where they are benefitting from the opportunity to study abroad as part of their course e.g. Erasmus+.

Can I avail of the supports of the Fund for Students with Disabilities if I have been awarded the 1916 Bursary Fund? Yes. The ESF Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) provides funding directly to higher and further education institutions to provide supports and services to ensure that eligible learners with disabilities can participate on an equal basis with their peers (www.studentfinance.ie). Individual HEI’s make applications to the fund on behalf of eligible students following an assessment of needs. Students cannot make applications directly to the fund.

Can I participate in the Tusla NTRIS Employment Support Scheme for Traveller and Roma Communities if I have been awarded the 1916 Bursary Fund? Yes.

Can I avail of financial supports through Dormant Accounts Funding/ PATH 5 that supports members of the Irish Traveller and Roma community in higher education if I have been awarded the 1916 Bursary Fund? Yes.

Are there any other financial supports available in college? Yes. Each Higher Education Institution has a Student Assistance Fund to support qualifying students experiencing financial hardship. Please contact the Access Service of the college to find out more about the Student Assistance Fund and other financial supports that may be available.

If I am awarded the 1916 Bursary Fund, how will I be paid? You will be paid by electronic payment to your bank account.

What is expected of me if I am awarded a 1916 Bursary Fund? 1916 Bursary Fund Recipients are expected to: – adhere to the rules and regulations of your institution – agree to any assessment set out by your institution for your course – engage and co-operate with the department managing the 1916 Bursary Fund in your institution – awardees may be asked to attend or be part of events organised by the institution to increase awareness of the 1916 Bursary Fund – Tier 1 and Tier 2 awardees will be required to provide additional information to satisfy European Social Fund requirements.

If I am awarded the 1916 Bursary Fund, can I repeat a year of study? The 1916 Bursary Fund cannot be paid for a repeat year unless the institution agrees that there were “exceptional circumstances” i.e. medical or personal reasons why you could not complete the year. You would be expected to provide written evidence of your illness or personal situation from a professional outside your family group. You would also be expected to work with the student supports within your institution during your difficulty and at a minimum have advised someone in your college that you have an issue ongoing.

Data Sharing Data sharing arrangements are in place with participating South Cluster Higher Education Institutions, CAO and SUSI subject to data protection considerations.

What is an approved postgraduate programme? A full-time or part-time postgraduate programme leading to a major higher education and training award at Level 8 (Higher Diploma), Level 9 (Postgraduate Diploma), Level 9 (Masters) or Level 10 (Doctorate) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or equivalent award that: • takes not less than one year to complete, and • on the successful completion of which a student is awarded a major higher education and training award, leading to an award of Level 8 (Higher Diploma) or above on the NFQ, which is a recognised qualification pursuant to the NFQ, and • is provided by a higher education institution approved for the PATH 2 1916 Bursary Fund. The 1916 Bursary is subject to an overall cap of four years for postgraduate studies.

What is the value of the Bursary? The postgraduate bursary will be in the amount of €5,000 per annum for both full-time and part-time students that were awarded a Tier 1 (€5,000 per annum) bursary at undergraduate level.

I wish to pursue a postgraduate programme in the same college where I completed my undergraduate programme, what will I do? You must formally notify the Access Service of your intention to progress to postgraduate study.