Douglas Olsen
In Ireland, mature students—those over 23 years of age—have a number of financial support options available to them. While all students in Ireland are required to pay fees, mature students may qualify for a student grant or help with fees through a university access programme. Mature students can apply for funding from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), which provides financial support to students studying full-time and part-time courses in publicly-funded institutions in Ireland. Depending on the student's circumstances, they may also qualify for the Free Fees Initiative, which covers tuition fees for undergraduate students, or the Student Grant Scheme, which can cover all or part of the student contribution. Additionally, mature students may be eligible for other grants or funds, such as the Student Assistance Fund, the Uversity scholarship, or the Student Support Fund.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of a mature student | Anyone over 23 years of age |
| Full-time courses | Limited number of places reserved for mature students |
| Part-time courses | Competition for places with other mature students |
| Fees | Vary depending on the course |
| Fee contribution | Available through the Student Grant Scheme |
| Free Fees Initiative | Tuition fees paid by the Department of Further and Higher Education |
| Student Contribution | Annual charge for student services and examinations |
| Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) | Funding for students in publicly funded institutions |
| Student Assistance Fund | Financial support for students in financial difficulty |
| Uversity | Awards scholarships to adult learners aged 23 and over |
| Student Support Fund | Means-tested fund for students with low income |
| Back to Education Allowance | Available for students who have been receiving social welfare payments |
| Student Grant Scheme | Need-based grant for students who do not qualify for a maintenance grant |
| Part-Time Fees Scheme | Funding for students on specified part-time undergraduate courses |
| Tax relief | Available for tuition fees in private institutions |
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What You'll Learn
Free Fees Initiative
The Free Fees Initiative is a scheme in Ireland that covers the tuition fees of eligible students in publicly-funded colleges. Students who qualify for the Free Fees Initiative are still required to pay an annual charge, known as the student contribution, to cover the cost of student services and examinations. For the 2024/25 academic year, this contribution is €3,000 per year. Students may apply to SUSI for a grant to cover this contribution or their tuition fees.
To be eligible for the Free Fees Initiative, students must meet certain nationality and residency criteria. They must be a national of an EU, EEA, UK, or Swiss Confederation country, or have been naturalised as such during their course of study (meeting the residency requirements). Students with official refugee status in Ireland are also eligible, as are their family members, granted permission by the Minister for Justice and Equality to reside in the country.
In addition to the above criteria, students must also meet one of the following requirements regarding their time spent in education in Ireland:
- They must have attended primary or post-primary school in Ireland for at least 5 years.
- They must have lived in an EEA member state, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting their course.
The Free Fees Initiative does not apply to courses in private colleges, nor does it cover part-time or postgraduate programmes. Undergraduate students are generally automatically assessed for eligibility for the Free Fees Initiative. However, it is important to note that each college has different application requirements, and students should contact the Admissions Office or Mature Students Officer for specific information.
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Student Grant Scheme
The Student Grant Scheme (SUSI) is the main financial support scheme for students studying full-time courses in Ireland and abroad. Maintenance grants help students with their living costs, while fee grants cover tuition fees for students who do not qualify for the Free Fees Scheme. Fee grants can also pay the student contribution and the cost of essential field trips. If you qualify for the maintenance grant, you also get the fee grant.
To be eligible for a student grant, you must meet certain criteria. If the Eligibility Indicator suggests that you might be eligible, you can then begin your application. First, register an account in the SUSI student portal and then complete the application form and submit it to SUSI for assessment.
If you are getting the Back to Education Allowance, you are not eligible for the maintenance component of the student grant. However, you may get an exemption from college fees or the student contribution, so you should complete a student grant application. If you are eligible for both, you should check which you would be better off applying for.
If you are enrolling in a postgraduate course, you may get financial support under the Student Grant Scheme. This can help with the cost of tuition fees for approved postgraduate courses in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
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Part-time fees
Part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students in Ireland, including mature students, typically pay tuition fees. These fees are often calculated per module or credit and can vary depending on the institution and the specific course. While part-time students may have
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Back to Education Allowance
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) scheme supports people who are unemployed, receiving a One-Parent Family Payment, or have a disability, to attend approved second- or third-level education courses. To qualify for BTEA, you must meet certain criteria, including being out of the formal education system for at least 2 years and receiving specific social welfare payments for a required period. You can download and fill in the BTEA application form (BTE1) or obtain a copy from your local Intreo centre. Your qualifying payment determines where you should send your application form.
If you are receiving the Back to Education Allowance, you cannot simultaneously get the maintenance component of a student grant. However, you may still be eligible for a fee grant to cover the student contribution. Therefore, it is recommended to complete a student grant application form to be assessed for a fee grant. The fee grant can be used to pay the student contribution, field trip expenses, and tuition fees.
If you are eligible for both BTEA and the Student Grant, you should evaluate which option would be more financially beneficial for your circumstances. Additionally, if you are enrolled in a postgraduate course, you may qualify for financial support under the Student Grant Scheme, which can assist with tuition fees for approved postgraduate courses in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Furthermore, if you are on a Post-Leaving Certificate course and receiving a VTOS allowance, you are not eligible for the maintenance portion of the student grant. Nevertheless, you may be exempt from college fees or the student contribution.
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Student Support Fund
Mature students in Ireland are required to pay tuition fees, and the cost of returning to education as a mature student can be a significant financial burden. The Student Support Fund (SSF) is a vital financial aid scheme that helps alleviate these costs and supports students in their pursuit of higher education.
The SSF is a fund established by the Irish government to provide financial assistance to students facing economic hardship, including mature students. It aims to ensure that financial difficulties do not become a barrier to accessing and completing third-level education. The fund is designed to help with the costs of attending college, including tuition fees, accommodation, and other living expenses.
Mature students can apply for the SSF through their college or university. The application process typically involves submitting an application form, providing evidence of financial need, and sometimes an interview. Each institution has a dedicated team to support students through this process and ensure they receive the necessary guidance and assistance.
The SSF provides a means-tested grant to eligible mature students, offering a substantial contribution towards their college costs. The grant amount varies depending on the student's financial circumstances, the cost of their course, and their living expenses. In addition to the grant, the fund may also provide access to other supports, such as reduced-cost or free services, and assistance with accessing other financial support schemes.
The SSF is an essential resource for mature students in Ireland, helping to make higher education more accessible and financially manageable. By providing financial support, the fund empowers mature students to pursue their educational goals, gain new qualifications, and improve their career prospects without being hindered by economic obstacles. This fund plays a crucial role in promoting lifelong learning and enabling individuals of all ages to invest in their future through education.
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Frequently asked questions
Mature students in Ireland are required to pay fees, but there are several grants, funds, and scholarships available to help with the costs.
Mature students can apply for the Student Grant Scheme, the Student Assistance Fund, and the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant. There is also the Uversity scholarship, which offers €5,000 for those without dependent children and €7,000 for those with dependent children.
The fees for mature students in Ireland vary depending on the type of course, institution, and individual circumstances. The maximum student contribution for the academic year 2024-2025 was €2,000, and for the academic year 2025-2026, it is €3,000.
To apply as a mature student in Ireland, you can visit the Qualifax website to learn about entry requirements for full-time undergraduate courses. You can also contact the college directly to inquire about their specific application requirements for mature students.
