Students with disabilities may be eligible for financial support through Ireland’s Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD), which helps cover the cost of certain supports required to participate in further and higher education.
The fund is available to eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students and can provide support in a number of areas, depending on an individual student’s verified needs.
Support available through the FSD can include:
The specific supports provided will depend on the student's disability, individual circumstances and assessed requirements for participating in their course.
To qualify for support through the FSD, students must meet the relevant eligibility requirements. These include having a disability that falls within one or more of the qualifying categories and being enrolled as either a full-time or part-time student.
Applicants must also have been resident in Ireland for three of the previous five years before their approved course begins. In addition, they must have a verified need for specific supports to enable them to attend and participate in their course.
Students do not apply directly to the Fund for Students with Disabilities. Instead, their college applies for funding on their behalf.
Students who believe they may need support should therefore contact their college's disability or access office. They will generally need to register with the relevant service and provide medical or other appropriate evidence confirming their disability.
The disability or access office can then assess the student's support requirements and guide them through the process of accessing appropriate assistance.
Access to appropriate supports can make a significant difference to students as they begin or continue their studies. For prospective postgraduate students with disabilities, it is worth finding out what supports are available before starting a programme and contacting the relevant college service as early as possible.
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