Student Grants and Financial Assistance
This page provides information on the various financial supports available to students studying at ATU Donegal.
Student Grant –Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI)
The student grant is the main source of financial help available from the Irish State for students in full-time higher education courses. Decisions on grants are made wholly by SUSI, ATU Donegal has no input into grant decisions. Note, it is important that you familiarise yourself with the cutoff dates for grant applications. For further information and how to apply click here.
You are required to apply for a renewal of your Grant each year. When you are applying to get your grant renewed you will be requested by grant authorities to provide evidence that you are eligible to re-register on your programme.
International Protection Student Scheme
The International Protection Student Scheme (for Further and Higher Education Students) 2022-2023 provides financial grants for students who are in the protection system or at the leave to remain (but not deportation order) stage.
Applications for funding support are assessed by SUSI, under specific eligibility criteria in accordance with the International Protection Student Scheme (for FE/HE Students) 2022 for students who are in the Protection System or at the leave to remain (but not deportation order) stage.
These criteria include that applicants must:
- be pursuing an approved course type at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
- have a combined period of 3 years or more in the protection process or leave to remain (but not at deportation order) stage as at the day before the start of your approved course of study. (The 3 years must be met on this date and cannot be met during the academic year for eligibility in that particular year).
- meet the definition of protection applicant or person at leave to remain (but not deportation order) stage.
Application guidance notes can be obtained by clicking here, while the application form is available here.
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
If you are unemployed, parenting alone or have a disability and are getting certain payments from the Department of Social Protection, you may take part in a second or third level education course and get a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). Further information on BTEA can be found here.
It is important to note that you cannot get the BTEA and the maintenance component of a student grant together.