September, 2002
Financial Incentives
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| Higher Education Grants Scheme, for degree courses in Irish Universities, administered by Cork Corporation 021-966222 |
| Vocational Education Committees' [VEC] Scholarship Scheme, for degree courses in the Institutes of Technology and EU Colleges of higher education and universities, administered by the City of Cork VEC 021-273377] |
| European Social Fund-Aided [ESF] Third Level Courses Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees, for certificate and diploma courses in the Institutes of Technology, administered by the City of Cork VEC 021-273377] |
| European Social Fund-Aided [ESF] Maintenance Grants Scheme, for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate Courses.plc |
| Tax relief for Students at Private Third Level Colleges. |
| Tax relief on fees for Part-time study and distance education. |
| Tax relief on fees for full-time study in other E.U. member states. |
| Special Fund for students with Disabilities. |
| The British Council. Lower Mount Street.Dublin 2 Telephone 01.676 4088 for information on studying in the United Kingdom. |
Under this initiative, the Exchequer meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending approved third level courses.Maintenance grants are obtainable.
What students are eligible? Eligible students are third level students who:
(a) are first-time undergraduates, and
(b) are E.U. nationals and have been ordinarily resident in an E.U. Member State for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course.
What third level courses are approved?
Courses approved under the Free Fees Initiative are full-time undergraduate courses, other than E.S.F. aided courses in the Institutes of Technology.
The courses must be of a minimum of two years duration.
Note: The existing regulations for E.S.F aided courses will continue to apply.
What fee is payable?
The tuition fee payable does not include the charge payable by students to the colleges towards the cost of registration, examination and student services.
When are free fees not payable? Tuition fees are not payable for students who:
(a) are repeating a year, having failed their end of year examinations or as a result of changing courses.
[Note: This exclusion may be waived where a student has to repeat a year due to certified serious illness. In such a case, the college will request documentary evidence that the student's failure was as a direct result of his/her illness], or
(b) are undertaking a second undergraduate course.
[Note: Students who hold a National Certificate or Diploma and are progressing to degree courses may be eligible]
Financial Educational Incentives for those at Work
| part time study | Fees: | Tax relief, paid on fees. |
| Course: | Part-time study, including evening courses at Third Level. | |
| Duration: | A Minimum of two years. | |
| Colleges: | Publicly funded third level institutions and private colleges
satisfying stands as set don by the Minister of Education. |
