Please note that the closing date for applications has been extended to the 30th November 2011.

Due to the volume of applications received for Higher Education Grants, it is not possible to return original documents until all applications have been assessed.

Remember - early application means prompt grant payment! 

To avoid delays in processing your application and payment of your grant please take extra care on the following points:

• Make sure that you are submitting your application to the appropriate Local Authority.  If you live in Dublin you may be in the Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council or Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council administrative area, if so, you should submit you application to that authority.
• Please complete all relevant sections of your application legibly, accurately and in full.
• Please take care to include all required supporting documentation (originals and one copy) with reference to the checklist on Pg. 16 of the Application Form

Dublin City Council processes Higher Education Grant applications in accordance with the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968 to 1992 and the current Department of Education and Science Higher Education Grants Scheme.   Grants are payable to candidates who were ordinarily resident in the Dublin City Council administrative area on 1st October of the previous year.

Click here for the Higher Education Grants Scheme 2011. This is the relevant Scheme for the 2011/2012 academic year.

The Scheme applies to students undertaking a full-time approved courses in an approved institution at the following levels.

• Honours Bachelor Degree (Level 8)
• Higher or Post Graduate Diploma (Level 8)
• Masters Degree (Level 9)
• Doctoral Degree (Level 10)

Students undertaking Post Leaving Certificate, Higher Certificate or Ordinary Bachelor Degree courses (Levels 5-7) should apply to the City of Dublin VEC

Private colleges or part-time courses do not come within the scope of the Higher Education Grants Scheme.

• Eligibility of Candidates
• Value of Grants
• Reckonable Income Limits
• How to Apply for a Grant – Step by Step
• Contact Us

Note:  If a candidate's failure to provide full and complete information is the result of a deliberate material omission or inaccuracy, the candidate shall be liable to prosecution, loss of grant and repayment, with interest, of any portion of a grant already received 

Eligibility of Candidates

A candidate must fulfil conditions under the following headings to be deemed eligible for a grant:

• Residence
• Age
• Academic attainments
• Means
• Nationality

Value of Grants

Full and part maintenance grants are payable at either adjacent or non-adjacent rates.  These grants will be paid in three instalments during the academic year.

The rates applicable for the 2010/2011 academic year are as follows

Please refer to Clause 5 of the Higher Education Grants Scheme 2010 for full details on types and value of grants.

Reckonable Income Limits 

Reckonable income limits for the ordinary rates of grant are as follows:

Please note that 2011/2012 grant applications will be assessed on the basis of income received in the 2010 tax year.

How to Apply for a Grant – Step by Step

1. Please read the following documents carefully and thoroughly 
1. Higher Education Grants Scheme 2011
2. Student Support Regulations 2011
3. Student Support Act 2011
2.  When you are satisfied that you are eligible for a grant, download and print the Application Form and Form FA1 (Course details)
3. Complete the form in full and attach all required supporting documentation (Originals and one copy). Please include a stamped addressed envelope so we can return your original documents to you.  The copy will be retained by us. 
4. Submit the completed hard copy application form together with supporting documentation (originals and one copy) to: Dublin City Council, Higher Education Grants Section, Block 4, Floor 0, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.