Eligibility Criteria
HEAR applicants must meet a range of financial, social and cultural criteria to be considered for a reduced points place and extra college support. Here is a list of all the HEAR indicators:
Income: Your family income falls on or below the HEAR Income Limit for the year 2024.
Medical/GP Visit Card: Your family has a Medical Card/GP Visit Card that was in date on
December 31st 2025.
Means Tested Social Welfare: Your family received a means-tested payment from the
Department of Social Protection for at least 26 weeks in 2024.
DEIS School Attendance: You completed five years in a second level school that takes part
in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) scheme run by the Department of
Education and Youth.
Area Profile: You live in an area where there is concentrated disadvantage – in other words
an area where, for example, there is high unemployment and poverty and where only a
small proportion of adults have attained third level education. Applicants who experienced
homelessness during their post-primary education and are registered on the Pathway
Accommodation and Support System (PASS) will meet the Area Profile criteria.
HEAR Priority Groups: Applicants who wish to be considered under one or more of the
following categories:
• Care-Experienced
• Member of the Traveller Community
• Member of the Roma Community
• Young Parent
• HEAR and DARE Eligible Applicant.
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I didn't get the points for Trinity, but getting HEAR meant that I got a place in my dream course on reduced points. It also meant that I had additional support throughout my time in Trinity. I had a TAP advisor to go to if I was unsure of things, additional social events where I could meet other HEAR students like myself, and access to additional grants and bursaries. Applying for HEAR was the best thing I ever did.
TCD