Applying for Trinity Accommodation

Continuing disabled students should complete the Online Accommodation Application Form and the Special Consideration Application Form in February of the year of application and review the criteria used by Trinity as outlined below.

The following criteria applies for disabled applicants when prioritising applications for accommodation:

The nature and impact of disability: As stated by the applicant and documented with appropriate evidence. Priority will be given to applicants with the most significant needs based on mobility, balance, stamina, and strength.

Proximity: Where the impact of the disability is such that the student will experience significant and prolonged difficulty with walking even short distances to the university or might experience significant fatigue due to the impact of a significant disability. An example of when this might be appropriate may include a student with significant visual impairment or a student with a significant physical or mobility difficulty

Accessible Accommodation: Where the impact of the disability is such that the student requires accessible accommodation. An example of when this might be appropriate may include a student who is a wheelchair user and requires accommodation that is adapted to the needs of an individual with a physical disability or a student with a sensory disability.

Based on the criteria above, the Disability Service will review all applications given to them by the Accommodation Office and will make recommendations to the Accommodations Office. As part of your application, you must indicate that you have applied for reasonable accommodation with the Disability Service and provide consent for the Disability Service to review and support your application. In turn, based on the availability of rooms in Trinity accommodation and the priority given to applications, the Accommodations Office will inform applicants of any room offers.

Further information and advice on student accommodation can be aviled of through the TCDSU Accommodation Advisory Service.

Disabled students applying as new entrants, can have their applications considered under the Special Consideration process due to the impact of their disability. When applying for Trinity accommodation disabled new entrants should complete the Online Accommodation Application Form as well as the Special Consideration Application Form.

Completed Special Consideration Application Forms should be sent by email to both the Disability Service at askds@tcd.ie and the Accommodation Office at resacc@tcd.ie.

More information on the Special Consideration process is available on the Residents Information webpage on the Student Accommodation website. Typically, first years live in Trinity Hall.

In Trinity Hall, there are 7 wheelchair-enabled rooms on the ground floor. There are other accessible rooms in Trinity Hall, however, these rooms are located on floors other than the ground floor and would not be considered fully wheelchair accessible. 

On the Trintiy campus, there are 36 accessible rooms. The level of accessibility of these rooms varies given the age of some of the buildings in which they are located and some may not be fully wheelchair accessible. Rooms in Goldsmith Hall and Printing House Square are accessible by lift. Rooms in older buildings are located at ground level or via a ramp at entrance level. 

Disabled students who have been offered a room in Trinity Accommodation (on campus or Trinity Hall) will be invited to apply for a means-tested Bursary.

Trinity Development and Alumni support the Disabled Student Accommodation Bursary each year by donating money to support disabled students in financial need with their accommodation costs.

The purpose of this bursary is to support disabled students with the cost of student accommodation who meet eligibility criteria below.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. You must have accepted an offer of campus accommodation via the Special Consideration Form A (disabled students).
2. You must be in financial need.

Information Session:

If you have any questions about the Accommodation Bursary application process, an information session will run in February during the accommodation application period annually. The date, time and link will be sent to students in our weekly email and a recording of the session will be made available on our YouTube channel.

What Students Have Said About the Bursary:

Student 1

“The accommodation bursary will take massive pressure off my family and I for the coming year…as my disability is affected by standing and sitting for long periods of time, having to work part-time after a day of lectures, labs and studying would leave me extremely exhausted. Receiving the accommodation bursary will relieve the pressure of having to find a part time job, allowing me to keep on top of my studies and also look after myself and my health. Receiving the accommodation bursary will allow me to enjoy another year in TCD, stress-free.” 

Student 2

“The accommodation bursary has been very beneficial for me and my family in financing my student accommodation. Before being aware of this system, my parents and I were in a very lost and confused position on how I would go about continuing my education in Trinity college, because the price of accommodation is very inflated, and we did not have sufficient savings and resources to cover them. It was always a lifelong aspiration for me to attend college here and thanks to the accommodation bursary it has been a dream come true.” 

Student 3

“The Accommodation Bursary will alleviate a significant number of challenges for me and ease the pressure and demands on my strength, energy levels and mental fatigue. Being on campus where I will have access to study resources will help me not fall behind on my workload. I will also be in a central location of town with ease of access to my hospital and doctors’ check-ups, giving me further time to study and engage with the requirements of my course. Being on campus will mean that I can additionally have the option to participate with the social activities on campus and will massively improve my confidence, motivation, and sense of connection. For the first time ever – I can’t wait for summer to be over so I can get back to college!” 

Supporting Documentation Guidelines:

Please read Scenario A and Scenario B below to understand what supporting documentation we need from you.

Scenario A

If you were living with your parents/guardians outside of term time in 2022 (this refers to the place in which you lived when you were not in School/College during the academic year 22/23)

And were in receipt of a SUSI grant in 2022/23, please submit the following:

1. Bank statements for the last 3 months for all accounts in your name e.g. Current account/savings account/Revolut/Credit Union etc.
2. Your SUSI letter from 2022/23 including the reckonable income assessment page.

Or were not in receipt of a SUSI grant in 2022/23, please submit the following:

1. Bank statements for the last 3 months for all accounts in your name e.g. Current account/savings account/Revolut/Credit Union etc.
2. Your 2022 Statement of Liability if you were employed in 2022 (all pages).
3. Your 2022 Social Welfare Balancing Statement if you were unemployed in 2022 (all pages).
4. Your 2022 Notice of Self Assessment if you were self-employed for 2022 (all pages).

AND

1. Your parents/guardians' 2022 Statement of Liability if they were employed in 2022 (all pages).
2. Your parents/guardians' 2022 Social Welfare Balancing Statement if they were unemployed in 2022 (all pages).
3. Your parents/guardians' 2022 Notice of Self Assessment if they were self-employed in 2022 (all pages).

Scenario B

If you were financially independent in 2022 (over the age of 23 and living independently from your parents/guardians)

And were in receipt of a SUSI grant in 2022/23, please submit the following:

1. Bank statements for the last 3 months for all accounts in your name e.g. Current account/savings account/Revolut/Credit Union etc.
2. Your SUSI letter from 2022/23 including the reckonable income assessment page.

Or, were not in receipt of a SUSI grant in 2022/23, please submit the following:

1. Bank statements in your name for the last 3 months for all accounts in your name e.g. Current account/savings account/Revolut/Credit Union etc.
2. Your 2022 Statement of Liability if you were employed in 2022 (all pages).
3. Your 2022 Social Welfare Balancing Statement if you were unemployed in 2022 (all pages).
4. Your 2022 Notice of Self Assessment if you were self-employed for 2022 (all pages).
5. A recent utility bill in your name.
6. Proof of lease/mortgage in your name.

If you had a spouse/partner living with you in 2022, please submit the above documents plus the following:

1. Your spouses/partner's 2022 Statement of Liability if they were employed in 2022 (all pages).
2. Your spouse/partner's 2022 Social Welfare Balancing Statement if they were unemployed in 2022 (all pages).
3. Your spouse/partner's 2022 Notice of Self Assessment if they were self-employed in 2022 (all pages).

Supporting Documentation Samples:

The below sample documents will help you understand what it is you need to submit for your application.

You can download these documents from your online Revenue account.