Fund for Students with Disabilities

The Fund for Students with Disabilities is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.

The Fund for Students with Disabilities allocates funding to further and higher education colleges for the provision of services and supports to full-time and part-time students with disabilities.

The Fund aims to ensure that students can participate fully in their academic programmes and are not disadvantaged by reason of a disability. Eligible students can receive assistance from the Fund from PLC level right up to doctoral level. You do not have to be in the first year of a course to be eligible to apply for the Fund*. Application for the first time can be made during any year of study on an approved course at further or higher education level.

A claim under the Fund is made on behalf of an eligible student by their college following an assessment of need. Applications cannot be made directly to the Fund by students. Colleges are also responsible for the management of the funding approved for eligible students. Students supported under the Fund for Students with Disabilities are not means-tested. A minimum age for application applies, however. Students with disabilities enrolled in access or foundation courses in higher education institutions or short courses are not eligible for consideration under the Fun.

For further information and details about the fund please visit the HEA website.