Mature Students: Financial Information
Returning to full time education can place a strain on your finances. There are many factors to be considered: rent, bills, food, travel, class materials and more. As a Mature Student, you may be entitled to financial assistance to help you pay for your fees, class materials and other expenses that you encounter during your time here in DIT.
What You Should Know:
Free Fees Initiative
The Free Fees Initiative entitles certain eligible students to have the tuition fees for their course paid by the government (but not the registration fee). Click the link below for information on DIT's Fee Policies and to see if you qualify for Free Fees.
Budgeting & Cost of Living
Budgeting is crucial. Click the link below for a guide to the cost of living in Dublin and advice on how to manage your finances.
Cost of Living Guide & How to Budget
Student Grants
Student Grants are administered by your local City/County VEC or Council and, if you're eligible, may pay your fees (including registration fee) and help you out with maintenance payments also. Click the link below for more information on the kinds of grants available, what they will and won't pay for and our comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions pages - they will help you to determine whether you're eligible to apply for a grant and will answer any other questions you might have.
Back To Education Allowance: Full-Time Students
The Back To Education Allowance can be paid to those who have been in receipt of social welfare payments and wish to return to full time education. Typically a claimant would have to be in receipt of social welfare payments for 12 consecutive months or more prior to returning to college, but there can be exceptions to this rule, usually in cases involving statutory redundancy. Click the link below for more information.
Back To Education Allowance: Frequently Asked Questions
Back To Education for Part-Time Students
It is possible for Mature Students who are unemployed to attend part-time programmes at DIT and retain their Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) or Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) and associated secondary benefits such as Rent Allowance. Click the link below for more information.
Back To Education for Part-Time Students
DIT Student Assistance Fund
The DIT Student Assistance Fund is financed by the Higher Education Authority and the EU. This fund may provide limited support for whole-time DIT students who are in severe financial difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances or who are disadvantaged and require additional financial support to enable them to fully benefit from their third-level studies. The fund includes Rent Assistance, Financial Assistance, Childcare, Travel, Medical, Dental and an Emergency Fund. To learn more and to download application forms, click the link below.
Tax Relief on Tuition Fees
If you do not qualify for the Free Fees Initiative (see DIT's Fees Policy) or a Student Grant (see Student Grants), then you may be liable to pay the full Tuition Fees for your programme of study. Tuition Fees do not include the registration fee, which for full time programmes in 2009/10 is expected to be €1,500. You may be eligible to claim Tax Relief on tuition fees at the standard personal rate of 20%. Click the below link for more information.
Contact Us:
Our Mature Student Support Officer is here to help you with any queries you may have regarding financial assistance and will be happy to answer any questions you have. If you need a hand filling out forms or determining your eligibility, contact Bob O Mhurcu at ms.info@dit.ie or (01) 402 7658.
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