We hope to provide a first step towards a comprehensive online resource for student parents
Covering most issues and FAQ that current and prospective students with children might face:
The College seeks to promote an inclusive environment for students and welcomes student parents.
Here you will find information on the range of resources available in College.
Academic Matters
Childcare
Financial Support
Support services
Student parent project
Useful links
For more information on the College’s Equality Policy see http://www.tcd.ie/about/policies/equality-policy.php .
If you have concerns about the impact of your pregnancy or caring responsibilities on your academic performance you can discuss this with your Tutor or the Postgraduate Advisory Service.
See College regulations in relation to pregnancy and maternity and paternity leave in the College Calendar
For undergraduate students: College Calendar Part I (General Regulations, Academic Progress, section 63) http://www.tcd.ie/calendar/assets/pdf/archive/2012-2013/tcd-calendar-h-regulations.pdf
For postgraduate students : College Calendar Part II (General Regulations, section 1.19, maternity, paternity and adoptive leave) http://www.tcd.ie/calendar/assets/pdf/archive/2012-2013/calendar-part2-1213.pdf
There is a day nursery on campus for staff and students with subsidized rates. The Nursery caters for children aged 3 months to 4.5 years. Places are limited so you need to apply early and there might be a waiting list. For more information:
http://www.tcd.ie/about/services/daynursery/
UG Student Hardship fund
Undergraduate Students can apply for financial support once they are registered students through the Senior Tutor’s office: http://www.tcd.ie/Senior_Tutor/tutors/financial-assistance/.
You can obtain further information on the Student Assistance Fund from the Student Support Officer located in the Senior Tutor’s Office, your College Tutor or on the Senior Tutor’s Office website (http://www.tcd.ie/senior_tutor).
TAP/HEAR students
Financial assistance and support is offered through the Trinity Access Programme. Further information available on their website: http://www.tcd.ie/Trinity_Access/current/financial.php
There are other forms of financial support available through the college under the links above which apply to undergraduate students in particular circumstances or studying for certain degrees.
The application forms become available at the beginning of the academic year and needs to be signed by your personal Tutor. You can download these forms from the Senior Tutor’s Office website http://www.tcd.ie/senior_tutor/forms
You will need to provide supporting documentation such as: 3 months most recent bank statements, welfare payments, P60’s, payslips, and proof of bills. The application form outlines all supporting documentation required and these forms cannot be accepted without being fully completed.
Postgraduate Students
Postgraduate Students can apply for financial assistance through the Graduate Studies Office located in the Arts Building. Other funding opportunties are detailed on the following link for postgraduate students https://www.tcd.ie/Graduate_Studies/currentstudents/funding/index.php (check with Graduate Studies Office/Gillian Roddie regarding this)
SU Welfare officer:
There is the option to apply for help with childcare costs for parents in financial difficulties through the Student Union Welfare officer at the beginning of the Academic Year. The childcare (crèche, minder, etc.) must be registered and the support is limited to one academic year.
Here is the link to the SU welfare website with the contact details of the welfare officer-
http://welfare.tcdsu.org/
The student union can also give out short term loans and you will find additional information about the SU and college support services on the website.
St. Vincent De Paul:
It might also be worth considering contacting your local Parish group of Vincent de Paul to get some support with bills or books. They usually don’t provide monthly support with childcare.
http://www.svp.ie/Home.aspx
Tutorial Service
Each undergraduate student at Trinity is assigned a personal tutor on entry to College. Tutors are members of the academic staff who are specifically appointed and trained to provide personal and academic support, in addition to their normal academic duties. It is a confidential service supported and co-ordinated by the Senior Tutor's Office which is located on the ground floor in House 27. Your tutor details will be available on the My TCD Portal within a week of you accepting your place. Further information on the tutorial service is available on our website www.tcd.ie/Senior_Tutor/
Postgraduate Advisory Service (PAS)
The Postgraduate Advisory Service is a unique and confidential service available to all registered postgraduate students in Trinity College. It offers a comprehensive range of academic, pastoral and professional supports dedicated to enhancing your student experience. Further information here http://www.tcd.ie/Senior_Tutor/postgraduate/
Student parent group
The Student Parent Group (SPG) is a self-supporting group for any student (male or female) who is already a parent or may be about to become one. The group meets once a week in lecture term for an hour at lunch-time, normally on a Wednesday. It is very informal and friendly and is intended to bring student parents together in order that they may share their experiences and lend support to one another. A light lunch consisting of sandwiches, tea or coffee and biscuits is provided by the Senior Tutor's Office in House 27. For information contact Gillian Roddie (Pgsupp@tcd.ie) or Helen Richardson (helen.richardson@tcd.ie).
Student Counselling:
If you are struggling with anything and need someone to talk, consider the student counselling service- it is free, situated off campus and has a welcoming and calming atmosphere. They keep a space for an emergency appointment every day.
Please see their website for more information and how to book an appointment:
http://www.tcd.ie/Student_Counselling/
Peer to Peer support:
Student 2 student is a peer support programme where you can sign up to and trained student will help and support you with specific issues you might have during time in college. There are matures student supporters and other parents among them.
You can also sign up to volunteer as a peer supporter yourself. Please follow the link for more information:
http://student2student.tcd.ie/
SU Welfare Officer
http://welfare.tcdsu.org/
GSU Vice-President
http://www.tcdgsu.ie/
We are student parents working for student parents and are in the process of setting up a society for student parents and all people, students and staff, who support us.We are planning family friendly events, working on policy issues related to student parents in college and want to provide a space for student parents to mingle and network and to make us and our families more visible and included in college life.No matter what age your children are, if you are a biological or a bonus parent, if you live full time with your children or not, if you are just looking for information, or if you would like to get actively involved, we would like to hear from you.
Please contact Nicole on jaguschn@tcd.ie or ask to join our Facebook group TCD student parents:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/354502184592775/
Higher Education grants, etc.:
http://www.studentfinance.ie/
BTEA, Child Benefit, One Parent Family Payment, Carers allowance, etc.:
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/
ECCE scheme (free early childcare scheme for 3- 4 year olds), childcare options, subventions for community childcare, etc.:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/
http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=120
Official childcare directory Dublin City Council:
http://www.dublin.ie/childcare/home.htm
Online resource for parents and teachers Schooldays.ie
http://www.schooldays.ie/articles/school-calendar-2012-2013
Helplines and support agencies:
http://www.childline.ie/
http://www.parentline.ie/
http://www.onefamily.ie/
http://www.oneparent.ie/
http://www.barnardos.ie/
http://www.womensaid.ie/