Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022
417. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the way each third level college in Ireland manages and disperses hardship funds, officially known as the Student Assistance Fund and to provide details under the following headings, application deadline, point of contact, requirements and criteria to apply for a grant. [38204/22]
View answerThe Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is allocated to Higher Education Institutions to assist participating students in both temporary and ongoing financial need, where students apply depending on their particular circumstances.
This fund is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). These funds are allocated to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) on academic year basis and each institution is responsible for dispersing the fund using the guidelines provided by the HEA.
I have included a link to the guidelines for the Student Assistance Fund which shows the eligibility criteria and the types of costs that may be funded through the Student Assistance Fund.
hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/student-assistance-fund/.
Students should contact their access office in the Institution they are attending. Funds can be applied for at any time during the academic year.
