Financial Support & Scholarships

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.

Student Assistance Fund

The Curve helps students from low income families and those who traditionally have not progressed to third level study or those from areas of high unemployment to access higher education.

This help includes financial aid such as the Student Assistance Fund. This limited fund provides financial support to students experiencing short or long-term financial difficulties while attending higher education.

The Student Assistance Fund is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.  The Student Assistance Fund in ATU Donegal is overseen by the SAF committee  comprising the Access Officer, the Chaplain, the SU Welfare Officer and the SAF Administrator .  ;

For further information click here

Laptop Loan Scheme 2023/24

ATU Donegal is delighted to be in a position to help our students by lending laptops in the coming academic year.

As part of the package of COVID supports for higher and further education institutions, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has allocated funding to support disadvantaged students in the higher education sector in accessing ICT devices.

However, due to the limited number of laptops, we will be operating on a first come, first served basis. The Online Application Form is available here

Note that students in receipt of the SUSI Grant/Social Welfare payments or students in need of support who can provide the Statement of Liability/P21 form will be prioritised.

Scholarships

ATU offers a wide range of scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Scholarships allow our students to focus on achieving excellence in their field while also allowing them to build valuable relationships and enhance their career prospects.

Click here for ATU-wide scholarships

In addition to the ATU-wide scholarships available to students at any ATU campus, we offer additional scholarships to students at our ATU Donegal campuses:

1. The DCIL Independent Living Scholarship
2. Pushing Boundaries Scholarship (Postgraduate)

The DCIL Independent Living Scholarship

Donegal Centre for Independant Living has introduced this scholarship as part of a project to support students with a disability by means of a financial bursary. The budget for this project is currently € 750.00 per annum per Student, awarded each year over the span of their chosen course. The Scholarship is to enable the student to achieve greater independence and empowerment through participation in college life and to enhance their confidence to live independently.

Click here for the Independent Living Scholarship Terms & Conditions
Click here for the Independent Living Scholarship Application form

Pushing Boundaries Scholarships

This scholarship initiative is specifically aimed at applicants interested in applying for Full-time Taught Postgraduate Masters.   The Pushing Boundaries Scholarship is a fees scholarship and is designed for those students who are in receipt of no other form of financial assistance to study from a grant awarding body. The Pushing Boundaries scholarship is only available to EU Students. Click here for eligibility criteria and application procedureshere.