Financial assistance

Funding by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan (NDP), with assistance from the European Social Fund (ESF), the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is aimed at tackling educational disadvantage by providing financial support to those who require it and enabling them to fully participate in their third-level education.

In RCSI, the SAF is operated by Student Services and is open to full-time EU students with special consideration for Undergraduate students with financial difficulties.

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must fulfil the following criteria:

• Be fully registered with RCSI
• Be registered in a course that has a duration in excess of one year

Potential expenses which may be covered by the fund include:

• Books
• Class materials
• Rent
• Heating/Lighting bills
• Food
• Travel of an urgent nature
• Medical expenses – i.e doctor or dental visits
• Family breakdown
• Bereavement
• Accidents
• Certain family obligations, particularly in relation to childcare

Potential expenses which are not covered by the fund include:

• Tuition fees
• Registration fees
• Electives – either at home or abroad
• Replacement laptops
• Bursaries
• REACH grants
• Loans
• Funding relating to the provision of access courses/foundation courses
• Funding for students participating on access courses/foundation courses

Please note:

• Applicants may be called for interview in support of their submission.
• Applicants who are unsuccessful have the right of appeal.
• All funds are allocated by the SFAC.
• All applications are assessed on an individual basis and are totally confidential.
• While it is fair to say that all students could benefit from additional financial support, the SAF is limited and allocations can only be made to those considered most in need.
• Funding granted in a specified academic period does not guarantee funding for subsequent years.

The Student Hardship Fund (SHF) aims to assist Non-EU students who may be experiencing unforeseen hardship which could jeopardise their ability to continue their studies. While the fund is open to all Non-EU students, special consideration is given to Undergraduate students with financial difficulties.

The SHF is funded through the Alumni Annual Giving Programme.

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must fulfil the following criteria:

• Be fully registered with RCSI
• Be registered in a course that has a duration in excess of one year
• Circumstances must be unanticipated, unexpected or extraordinary
• Proof of financial hardship must be supplied/supported
• Students must be in good standing with the University

Potential expenses which may be covered by the fund include:

• Emergency accommodation (short-term)
• Travel of an urgent nature
• Emergency medical expenses
• Family breakdown
• Bereavement
• Accidents
• Certain family obligations

Potential expenses which are not covered by the fund include:

• Tuition fees
• Registration fees
• Electives – either at home or abroad
• Replacement laptops
• Personal, student or education loans
• Personal/family tax liability

How to apply

To apply, students must complete the SHF application form and attach supporting documentation. The completed application should be returned to the RCSI Student Services office.

The Student Financial Assistance Committee (SFAC) will then examine each case and make recommendations. These recommendations will be communicated to the applicant in writing.

Please note:

• Applicants may be called for interview in support of their submission.
• Applicants who are unsuccessful have the right of appeal.
• All funds are allocated by the SFAC.
• All applications are assessed on an individual basis and are totally confidential.
• While it is fair to say that all students could benefit from additional financial support, the SAF is limited and allocations can only be made to those considered most in need.
• Funding granted in a specified academic period does not guarantee funding for subsequent years.

Funding by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan (NDP), with assistance from the European Social Fund (ESF), the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) provides assistance to students with disabilities. Grants are provided for students who have serious sensory, physical, learning and/or communicative disabilities.

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must fulfil the following criteria:

• Be fully registered with RCSI
• Be registered with the RCSI Learning access and facilitation service (LAFS)

Potential expenses which may be covered by the fund include:

• Sign language interpreters
• Notetakers
• Personal assistants
• Additional tuition
• Targeted transport
• Computer software
• Computer equipment
• Furniture/fittings

How to apply

To apply, students must complete the SAF application form and attach supporting documentation. The completed application should be returned to the RCSI Student Services office.

The Student Financial Assistance Committee (SFAC) will then examine each case and make recommendations. These recommendations will be communicated to the applicant in writing.

To apply, students must first register with the RCSI Learning Access and Facilitation Service (LAFS) and provide proof of disability.

Full details of how to register are available from RCSI's Centre for Mastery: Personal, Professional and Academic Success (CoMPPAS) office or on Moodle.

Please note

Incoming students should register with LAFS as soon as possible after Orientation Day as it may take some time to access these grants from the HEA/Office for Equity of Access.

RCSI operates a ‘Reasonable Accommodation Policy’ in relation to access and disability.