The Student Assistance Fund is a limited fund that provides financial support to students experiencing short or long-term financial difficulties while attending higher education. 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.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible, you must be currently registered on a full-time or part-time higher education award of one year’s duration or more that leads to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. Applications are means tested. The following students are not eligible
- Incoming ERASMUS students
- Students with a previous higher education qualification at the same NFQ level or who are undertaking a second programme at the same level. However, in extreme circumstances such students may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- International/non-EU fee paying students
When will the SAF open for the academic year 2023/24?
The Student Assistance Fund will open on 18 September 2023 for an initial 8-week period. Depending on available funds a further round of applications will be accepted from 15 January 2024.
Forms will be assessed in the order that complete documentation is uploaded. Funds may be depleted before closing date, so eligibility does not guarantee funding.
What costs are eligible under the fund guidelines?
- books and other class materials
- rent, heating, lighting bills and other utility bills e.g. data plans
- food
- essential travel
- childcare costs
- medical costs
- family difficulties e.g. bereavement
What costs are ineligible under the Fund?
Funding is not generally available to assist students with the costs of tuition fees, registration fees, student loans or any costs that are borne by the Higher Education Institute.
How do I apply?
If you think that you may qualify for the Student Assistance Fund, please click here to apply.
What happens after you apply?
When you save or submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email to your ATU Donegal email account. You must respond to this email with the required supporting documentation.
Your application will be reviewed by ATU Donegal Student Assistance Fund staff to validate your eligibility.
If deemed eligible for funding, based on criteria decided upon by the SAF Committee, the money will be deposited in the bank account you specify and you will receive an email confirming this from the SAF Administrator.
Applicants who are ineligible will also receive an advisory email.
What supporting documentation do I need?
The Student Assistance Fund in ATU Donegal is assessed on Household Income. This refers to:
- Parental/Guardian Income in relation to students who are under 23 years of age on 1st January of year of entry to ATU Donegal, OR.
- Household income for all members of the household including the student where the student is Mature (23 years of age or over on 1st January of year of entry to ATU Donegal)
The only types of Proof of Income for 2023 which are accepted are:
- SUSI Reckonable Income issued in 2023
- Statement of Liability (formerly P21) for 2022 and/or
- Notice of Assessment for 2022 if self-employed/farmer and/or
- Statement from Social Welfare (including FIS) indicating ALL entitlements for 2022
In addition, you are required to submit a bank statement showing proof of IBAN. Where applicable, students may also be required to provide additional documentation such as proof of registration of family member in 3rd Level Education
We protect your data
Under GDPR your personal data collected as part of the application process may be processed for the purposes of coordinating, monitoring and evaluating the operation of the Fund and to comply with European Union requirements.
This personal data may include personally sensitive data where you choose to share that data and your data may be shared with third parties for monitoring and reporting on co-financed activities.
Further Information
For further information contact Brian McGonagle, Access Officer by e-mail brian.mcgonagle@atu.ie or call +353 (0)74 918 6170
or Mairead O’Kane, SAF Administrator by email
saf.donegal@atu.ie or call +353 (0)74 918 6662