Financial Assistance
If you are experiencing financial difficulties there are some supports within College that you can apply for. The Senior Tutor's Office looks after the Financial Assistance for undergraduate students.
Student Assistance Fund
The Student Assistance fund is a combination of the following funds: European Social Fund (ESF), College Hardship Fund and various smaller funds which benefactors have contributed to. There is one form to apply for Student Assistance, so if you apply for and receive some support, the money can come from the sources mentioned above. You only need to fill out one application as you do not apply for the funds separately.
Who is Entitled to Financial Help?
Anyone can apply. The fund is however means tested. You will need to provide such things as bank statements, P60s etc or social welfare statements. A full list of required supporting documentation is contained in the Student Assistance Form (SAF).
Where do I get a form?
The form is available on the Senior Tutor Webpages. When you download the form you should then make an appointment with the Student Support Officer to briefly run through the application with you. The Student Support Officer, Helen Richardson, is based in House 27, in the Senior Tutor’s Office (STO).
How Much Should I Expect to Receive?
Amounts given to students vary depending on income and outgoings (such as rent/mortgage or childcare) as this is the fairest way to distribute the fund. Amounts range in the hundreds, from €250 upwards. If you apply early in term 1, you may be able to receive a payment in term one and in the second term. If you apply late in the term, closer to Christmas or in the New Year, you may only be entitled to one payment. The reason for this is that the funds are limited and we are unable to backdate any payments.
Other Funding I can Apply for.
Keep an eye on the Senior Tutor webpages for details of other bursaries or funds you can apply for. The details of some of these funds are in the College Calendar under Financial Assistance. For example, there is a small fund named after Jackie Akerele, which gives out small awards (typically €200-€400) to help students who are paying for childcare. There are also a few other bursaries which you can apply for. Most of the application deadlines are at the end of January each year, so bear this in mind. Again, if you look at the STO webpages or check with the staff in the STO, they will be able to advise you if you are eligible to apply for any funds.
Sports Waiver
Sports centre fees (€77 in 2012/13) may be waived in cases where the student’s sole income is through social welfare payments or where there is financial hardship. Application forms are available from the STO.
Trinity Trust
Trinity Trust provides support annually for compulsory and non-compulsory field trips in particular for Geology, Geography, Botany and Zoology: (c) assistance to needy students to meet expenses for compulsory field courses or for periods spent abroad which are required or deemed highly desirable by the head of school of department concerned; (Calendar T1-2 – further information from trip co-ordinator) Trinity Trust Field Trip forms with the required signatures and supporting documentation should be submitted to: Student Support Officer, Senior Tutor's Office, House 27.
Call or Drop In
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, it is important to apply for financial assistance. While aid is not guaranteed, it is possible that you may be entitled to some funding which could help with a large utility bill or travel ticket. By dropping in to the STO, you may also be able to get some more advice as to your eligibility for further funding or bursaries.
Receipts
You will be expected to provide receipts for all funding you receive. Please check out our receipt guidelines.
Contact Details
Senior Tutor’s Office Ph: (01) 896 2551/1095
E-mail address dedicated to undergraduate support enquiries: ugsupp@tcd.ie
For some more information about the above funding, please click here.
A very useful website is available for general information on financial support for further and higher education at http://www.studentfinance.ie/
If you are a postgraduate student you should contact the Graduate Studies Office to enquire about financial assistance. They are located in the Academic Registry.
If you are a TAP/HEAR student you must apply through the TAP Office for financial assistance.
Qualifying criteria for financial assistance are approved annually by the Board of the College. The Financial Assistance Committee reserves the right to reduce the approved awards, should pressure on the funds require this course of action.
All applications are treated in confidence, and are considered anonymously by the Financial Assistance Committee.
One application is made on the basis of which the Financial Assistance Committee approves the disbursal of awards from the most appropriate fund or combination of funds.
Application forms with the required signatures and supporting documentation should be submitted to:
The Senior Tutor's Office,
House 27,
Trinity College,
Dubin 2