Applications are now OPEN. APPLY HERE
What is the 1916 Bursary?
The 1916 Bursary is a financial award to encourage the participation and success of students from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education.
The 1916 Bursary is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and aims to encourage participation and success by students who are most socio-economically disadvantaged and from groups most under-represented in higher education.
To be eligible for a 1916 Bursary, all applicants must meet, Financial, Priority Group and College Entry eligibility criteria.
Each participating college has a limited number of bursaries which are awarded to the eligible applicants that present the greatest need.
Who is the Bursary for?
First time entrants of an undergraduate programme,full or part time, with a household reckonable income of less than €26,200. Please note, this is equivalent to the SUSI Special Rate of grant which has 3 thresholds based on how many dependent children are in the household:
- Less than 4 = €26,200
- 4 to 7 = €28,715
- 8 or more = €31,128
The income threshold increases by €4,950 per additional person in college.
What are the criteria?
Financial + Priority Group + College Entry = Eligible for consideration.
What are the financial criteria?
Applicants must show that their household income meets the criteria for the SUSI Special Rate of Maintenance Grant in the year ending 31 December 2024. This financial criteria is required for you to be considered eligible for a 1916 Bursary. The SUSI Special Rate of Maintenance Grant has 3 thresholds based on how many dependent children are in the household. Less than 4 = €26,200; 4 to 7 = €28,715; 8 or more = €31,128. The income threshold increases by €4,950 per additional person in college.
You can show evidence of this by either;
Allowing SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to confirm that you were awarded the Special Rate of Maintenance grant
or
Providing evidence of your household income in 2024 that must include a Department of Social Protection (DSP) long term means-tested social welfare payment. If you have not applied to SUSI you are required to submit relevant financial documentation with your application.
If you wish to allow SUSI to confirm your eligibility, you will need to provide your SUSI reference number. Your SUSI reference number begins with a ‘W’ and is provided to you be SUSI when you start your SUSI application.
What are the priority groups?
The 1916 Bursary is for first time entrants to Higher Education who are from one or more of the following priority groups:
• Socio-economically disadvantaged communities
• Socio-economic groups that have low participation rates in higher education
• Students with a disability
• Students who are carers
• Students eligible for the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) Scheme.
• Further education and training award holders progressing to higher education
• Lone and/or teen parents in receipt of a long-term means-tested social welfare payment
• Members of the Irish Traveller Community
• Members of the Roma Community
• First time, mature student entrants and 2nd chance mature students
• Persons from ethnic minorities who are lawfully present in the State
What are the College Entry criteria?
Applicants must:
• Be a new entrant pursuing an undergraduate course and progressing to higher education for the first time or by advanced entry to year 2
• Have been a resident in the Irish State for three of the past five years
• Be studying an approved full-time or part-time undergraduate course, including students on Tertiary Education Programmes co-designed and delivered by an Education and Training Board (ETB) and a Higher Education Institution.
How do I apply?
Applicants must apply online via the 1916 Bursary Application Portal available on the 1916 Bursary website and on the Access websites of Participating HEIs
The online application has 7 sections:
-Privacy Notice and Consent to Share Personal Data
-Financial Criteria
-College Entry Criteria
-Priority Groups
-Additional Indicators
-ESF survey data
-Terms and Conditions/submission
• You will receive an automated email confirming your application has been received.
• You can apply from a PC/laptop or mobile device.
• If you wish to amend your saved application, you may do so on the application portal before submitting it and before the closing date: October 10th 2024 - late applications cannot be accepted
• Only one fully completed and submitted application per applicant will be assessed for a 1916 Bursary
Steps to making an application:
• Applications for a 1916 Bursary can only be made online via the 1916 Bursary Application Portal. Applicants are advised to read the Application Guidelines provided on the www.1916Bursary.ie website before making an application.
• You will receive an automated email confirming your application has been received.
You can apply from a PC/laptop or mobile device.
• If you wish to amend your saved application, you may do so on the application portal before submitting it and before the closing date: 5pm October 10th 2024
• Only one fully completed and submitted application per applicant will be assessed for a 1916 Bursary.
• Only information and supporting documentation provided on the online application will be used to consider your application.
• Submit clear, complete, required supporting documentation.
• Please do not upload password protected documents.
• Ensure all documents are scanned in a JPEG, PDF, or PNG format and files are no larger than 5mb in size before uploading
Application checklist:
• Applications can only be made online between September 5th to October 10th 2024
• To make an application you will need to have your CAO number, a home/residential address (with Eircode if possible), email address and supporting financial documentation.
• Complete the online application accurately.
• Only information and supporting documentation provided on the online application will be used to consider your application.
• Submit clear, complete, required supporting documentation.
• Ensure all documents are scanned in JPEG, PDF or PNG format before uploading – no larger than 5mb.
• When you have submitted your 1916 Bursary application you will receive a confirmation email addressed to the email you provide in your application.
• If you wish to amend your saved application, you may do so on the application portal before submitting it and before the closing date: 5pm October 10th 2024
Further support and information:
There are a number of supports available to assist you with completing your application:
• Check the Frequently Asked Questions webpage to see if your query is dealt with there
• There is also the 1916 Bursary Applicant Guidelines webpage – clearly explaining the application process step by step
• Please see the Application Explainer video for an overview of the entire application process
• There is clear guidance provided throughout the online application portal
• Each of the Participating Colleges have a contact email for applicants to follow up with before and during the application process
• The HEA PATH 2 Guidelines provide details of the rules governing the running of the 1916 Bursary