The SAF is closed for applications for the 2022/23 academic year as of 5pm, Fri 28th April. 
    Applications in the system from first-time applicants are now being priortised and are being processed on a 'first documents completed, first paid' basis until the Fund is fully disbursed. Students with live applications in the system (i.e. who have received the email from saf@mu.ie to upload supporting documents) can continue to upload supporting documents until midnight Tues 23rd May. This is the final cut-off date for submission of documents.
    When the Fund is fully disbursed, no more awards from SAF can be made regardless of eligibility. 

    Please note: the Student Emergency Fund is open over the summer if you have an unforseen situation leading to costs. Please contact the Student Budgeting Advice service for information on this or for other advice about managing your finances.

    The information below is for general reference, although the Fund is now closed:

    • ​You can apply to the SAF Means Tested Fund if your family income is under €40,875 (or you are in receipt of certain levels of SUSI award) and you satisfy the SAF basic eligibility criteria.  This is the quickest way to access SAF support.  A meeting with the Student Budgeting Advisor (SBA) is not required but supporting documents are required. When you apply to this fund, you'll be emailed with a Documents Checklist and a secure upload link. You can apply once per academic year to this fund. Find the full eligibility criteria for the MT Fund below. 
    • If you are not eligible for the Means Tested Fund OR if you have been approved for the Means Tested Fund already this academic year but need more financial aid, check your eligibility for the SAF Exceptional Fund . You must satisfy the relevant income threshold and the SAF basic eligiblity criteria. Supporting documents are required AND, if you are applying to the Exceptional Fund for the first time, a meeting with the Student Budgeting Advisor (SBA) is also required. Follow the SAF Exceptional application steps, paying particular attention to the option at Step 2 about meeting the SBA at a drop-in clinic:  WEDNESDAY 26th April 10.30-12.30 or THURSDAY 27th April 2pm - 4pm  in Ruth Killeen's office in Student Services.
    • You can apply for the SAF Exceptional Fund more than once. If you have been approved for the SAF Exceptional Fund already this year, you can re-apply to it by sending an email to student.budget@mu.ie confirming that you have been awarded already from the SAF Exceptional Fund and giving a detailed update of your circumstances. The meeting with the SBA may be waived for second or subsequent applications but you will still need to upload supporting documents when prompted by email to do so.
    • ​​If you have any queries, contact the SAF team at saf@mu.ie. 
     

    The Student Assistance Fund (SAF)

    What are the basic eligibility requirements for SAF?

    Which SAF fund should I apply to?

    Apply to the SAF Means Tested Fund

    Apply to the SAF Exceptional Fund 

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the SAF

     

     

     

    What are the basic eligibility requirements for SAF?

    Who can apply to the Student Assistance Fund?

    You must be one of the following:

    • A full-time OR part-time undergraduate student at Maynooth University or St. Patrick's Pontifical University Maynooth, registered for a course of not less than one year’s duration that leads to a higher education award at Level 6 to 10 of the national framework of qualifications.
    • A post-graduate student at Maynooth University or St. Patrick's Pontifical University Maynooth registered for a course of not less than one year’s duration that leads to a higher education award at Level 6 to 10 of the national framework of qualifications. This includes students studying for a Professional Master of Education (Primary) or a Professional Master of Education (Secondary).
    • A repeating student from the above specified categories.
    • A student who is Irish, EU, EEA, Swiss or UK and who is eligible for free or reduced fees in line with the criteria for the Free Fees Initiative, may be considered for SAF subject to meeting the other eligibility criteria.
    • A student on a Springboard+ course, or on a blended/distance learning course of not less than one year’s duration, that leads to a higher education award at Level 6 to 10 of the national framework of qualifications. This year the Springboard+ courses at Maynooth University are the H. Dip. In Science (Software Development) and the H. Dip in Data Analytics.
    • A PhD student (PhD students in years 1-4 are eligible; PhD students in year 5 or higher will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
    • A student who entered Maynooth University through the HEAR entry route.
    • Students with a previous higher education qualification at the same NFQ level, or who, in the past, attended higher education without ultimately obtaining a qualification, will be considered on a case-by-case basis and subject to available funding, subject to meeting the other eligibility criteria.
    • Persons qualified for protection under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015 (including Ukrainian students who are currently registered as Higher Education Students, on approved courses or authorised transition arrangements in approved publicly funded institutions in Ireland). To qualify, the student must have been granted permission to reside in the State by the Minister for Justice pursuant to section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015).The student must be present, and residing at an address in the State, and attending, or intending to pursue, an approved course in the 2022-23 academic year.
    • Irish Nationals who were attending a Higher Education Institution in Ukraine during the 2021/2022 academic year; and have now returned to Ireland due to the conflict, are now residing at an address in the State and enrolled on an authorised transition programme during 2022/2023.
    • NOTE: as well as satisfying the above criteria, you must also satisfy the relevant family income threshold for either the SAF Means Tested Fund or the SAF Exceptional Fund, depending on which one you can apply to.

    Who cannot apply to the SAF?

    • Incoming Erasmus students. Erasmus students are advised to contact their home university.
    • International students. Emergency funding may be possible in exceptional circumstances only. Incoming international students are advised to contact the International Office and/or the Student Budgeting Advice service.
    • Students who have completed an undergraduate degree Masters programme or PhD and are undertaking a second qualification at the same level. However, in exceptional circumstances students will be considered.
    • PhD students who are over 4 years with Maynooth University will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    • Students of Divinity at St. Patrick’s Pontifical University Maynooth should contact fees@spcm.ie.
     


     

    Which SAF fund should I apply to?

    There are 3 SAF Funds. The SAF Fund you may apply to depends on your course year, entry route, course level and any previous SAF funding received in this academic year:

    • The SAF HEAR / Access Fund : If you are eligible for the SAF HEAR/Access Fund you are contacted directly by the Maynooth University Access Programme (MAP) to confirm your eligibility for the SAF HEAR/Access Fund. Check for an email sent to you from saf@mu.ie on 26/10/22 or 27/10/22 or check the full criteria below. THIS FUND IS NOW CLOSED.
    • The SAF Means Tested Fund: this Fund is aimed at students with a family income under €40,875 in 2021 and who are not eligible for the SAF HEAR/Access Fund. Check the full criteria below before you apply for the SAF Means Tested Fund. If you are eligible for this Fund, you should apply to it before considering the SAF Exceptional Fund. You can apply to this Fund once per academic year. The award is now €600 (students who already received €400 are given a top-up of €200).When all funds are distributed no more awards will be made, regarless of eligibility.
    • The SAF Exceptional Fund: this Fund is aimed at students who are not eligible for the SAF Means Tested Fund or who have been previously funded in 2022/23 from any SAF fund, but who have additional pressing financial needs. When the Means Tested Fund is closed, students who would be eligible for it can apply instead to the SAF Exceptional Fund. Check the full critiera below for the SAF Exceptional Fund.
    • Contact the Student Assistance Fund team with any questions. Please note that funding is not guaranteed. Funds can only be disbursed where applications are correctly completed and while funding is available. When funds are fully disbursed, no more awards will be made regardless of eligibility.
     


     

    SAF HEAR/ACCESS FUND - THIS FUND IS NOW CLOSED.

    Students from groups which are underrepresented in higher education are prioritised for funding support. Your eligibility for this fund will be confirmed by email from the Student Assistance Fund team at Maynooth University Access Programme (MAP). You will only be eligible to apply to this Fund once in your academic career. There are strict deadlines for completing the application form which will be set out in the email. If you think you may have been eligible for this fund, check for an email sent to your official university email address from saf@mu.ie  on 26/10/22 - 27/10/22. 

    The following target group students are eligible to apply for the SAF HEAR/Access fund and will get the following awards:

    • HEAR entry students in 1st year of an undergraduate course who have attended Launchpad orientation for access students (€1,000, paid as €500 in Semester 1 and €500 in Semester 2).
    • Turn to Teaching entry students progressing to 1st year of an undergraduate or PME course who have attended Launchpad orientation for access students (€1,000, paid as €500 in Semester 1 and €500 in Semester 2).
    • Repeating students in the above categories with exceptional circumstances for repeating (€500 paid in Semester 1).
    • For 2022/23 only: HEAR entry students in 3rd year or 4th year of an undergraduate course (for the first time) who had more than 4 HEAR indicators and who attended Launchpad orientation on entry to university (€500 paid in Semester 1). 

    Eligible for this fund? All HEAR and progressed Turn To Teaching entry students will be contacted by the Student Assistance Fund team in October to inform them of their eligibility status for the SAF HEAR/Access Fund. If you are confirmed to be eligible for this Fund, you will be invited to complete a short application form. If not eligible for this fund you will be given information on other funds. Check for the email issued from saf@mu.ie on 26/10/22 - 27/10/22. 
     
    What happens after I apply to the SAF HEAR/ACCESS FUND and how much will I get if approved?

    1. MAP will confirm your eligibility and will invite you to complete a short application form by a strict deadline. Repeating 1st year HEAR students will be required to take a call/meet online with a MAP Advisor to determine their eligibility. This process will bve initiated by an email from the SAF team. 
    2. When your eligibility and registration is confirmed, your application will be progressed to the Student Assistance Fund committee for approval, and you will be notified of when the payment will reach your account.
    3. There are set awards for this Fund: students eligible for the payment of €1,000 will receive €500 in Semester 1 (mid Nov) and €500 in Semester 2 (mid Feb); students eligible for the payment of €500 will be paid in Semester 1 (mid Nov).
    4. You can contact saf@mu.ie or your MAP Advisor if you are having difficulty completing the application form. If you do not submit your application within the deadlines or do not contact the Student Assistance Fund team about your application, you will receive a reminder email after 2 weeks. If you do not progress your application, it will be closed after 4 weeks.

    Additional information relevant to SAF HEAR/ACCESS FUND applicants:

    • Already applied to this fund this year/already been paid from this fund this year, but now need more financial aid? You are not eligible for the SAF Means Tested Fund this year. Check your eligibility for the SAF Exceptional Fund. You can apply to the SAF Means Tested Fund in a year that you are not eligible for the SAF HEAR/Access Fund.
    • ​​Already been paid from this fund in a previous academic career, but now need more financial aid? Check your eligibility for the SAF Means Tested Fund and/or the SAF Exceptional Fund.
    • Need more or other advice/guidance? You can avail of the Student Budgeting Advice Service for advice on finances, welfare, SUSI and funding guidance. You can also contact the Student Assistance Fund team at saf@mu.ie .
    • Received the email confirming you as eligible for the HEAR/Access Fund but haven’t applied yet/ can’t find the email? Contact saf@mu.ie.
    • Haven’t received an email from the Student Assistance Fund team yet but think you might be eligible for this Fund? If you think you might be eligible (e.g. you were a late HEAR entrant to university/got an offer after Round 2/were a deferral from last year) but have not received an email by late October, check your spam/junk folder in your official @mumail.ie inbox for the email, then contact saf@mu.ie. 

     

     


     

    SAF MEANS TESTED FUND -  The SAF is closed for applications for the 2022/23 academic year as of 5pm, Fri 28th April. Students who have live applications in the system (i.e. who have received the email from saf@mu.ie to upload supporting documents) can continue to upload supporting documents after 28th April. Applications from first-time applicants are now being priortised and are being procApplications in the system will generally be processed on a 'first documents completed, first paid' basis until the Fund is fully disbursed. When the Fund is fully disbursed, no more awards from SAF can be made regardless of eligibility.  

    The information below is for reference, although the Fund is now closed:

    If you are experiencing financial difficulties, you can apply for the SAF Means Tested Fund once in each academic year and on approval, you receive a set award - this has been increased in April to €600 (students who received the award of €400 are given a top-up of €200). This amount has been set in light of  changes to SUSI announced in budget 2023 which mean that students in receipt of a maintenance grant should receive an additional SUSI payment in December. You can only apply to the Means Tested Fund once per academic year.  Awards may be prioritised based on membership of National Access Plan target groups. When all funds are disbursed, no more awards will be made regardless of eligibility. 

    Who can apply to the SAF Means Tested Fund?
    The following criteria determine your eligibility to apply for the SAF Means Tested Fund. If you are not eligible for this Fund, check your eligibilty for the SAF HEAR Access/Fund or the SAF Exceptional Fund.

    1. You fulfil the SAF basic eligibility requirements set out above, covering residency status in Ireland, level of course, duration of course etc.  Please check the basic eligibility requirements.
    2. Your family income was under €40,875 in 2021
    3. You are not eligible this year for the SAF HEAR/Access Fund
    4. You are not in receipt of a Bursary or Scholarship worth €2,000 per year or more.
    5. You do not have a previous qualification at the same or higher level as the course you are currently studying for e.g. you are studying for a Level 8 Hons undergraduate degree and you do not have a previous degree at Level 8 or higher.
    6. You are not a Ph.D student in year 5 or higher.
    7. You have not been approved for the SAF Means Tested Fund already this year: you can only apply once to the SAF Means Tested Fund per academic year.

    If you cannot answer Yes to pt. 1 above, you cannot apply for any stream of funding from the Student Assistance Fund. If you cannot answer Yes to any of the points at 2-6 above, you are not eligible for the SAF Means Tested Fund but check if you are eligible for the SAF Exceptional Fund.

    If your application to the SAF Means Tested Fund is approved, you will receive €600 as of April 2023 (students who received €400 are given a top-up of €200).
    You must provide evidence that your family income is under the Means Tested income threshold of €40,875. You will be prompted later in the application stage to upload your supporting documents via a secure upload link:

    • Students who are not in receipt of SUSI can do this by providing evidence that their gross family income was under €40,875 in 2021. See the SAF Means Tested Supporting Documents Checklist.
    • Students who are in receipt of SUSI can show that they are under the SAF Means Tested Fund income threshold  of €40,875 if they are in receipt of one of the levels of SUSI award in the table below. The original 3 page SUSI award letter will be required (1st years can get this in the MyLetters section of their online SUSI account; continuing students can get this by emailing support@susi.ie). See table:

    Levels of SUSI Award which mean your family income is under the SAF Means Tested income threshold of €40,875:

    Find all 3 pages of your SUSI letter in the correspondence section of your online SUSI account. Your SUSI letter may be password protected - you will need to upload a copy without a password or upload your password via the secure link you will be provided with.

    Undergrad SUSI Award 2022/233 showing Gross Income <€40,875 in 2021 Postgrad SUSI Award 2022/23 showing Gross Income <€40,875 in 2021
    Special Rate Adjacent including Student Contribution paid:
    €2575 per year paid as €286 per month    		 Postgrad Special Rate Adjacent:
    €2575 per year paid as €286 per month
    Special Rate Non-Adjacent including Student Contribution paid:
    €6115 per year paid as €679 per month    		 Postgrad Special Rate Non-Adjacent including Student Contribution paid:
    €6115 per year paid as €679 per month
    Band 1 (Full Maintenance) Adjacent including Student Contribution paid –
    €1415 per year paid as €157 per month    		 Postgraduate Fee Contribution (€3,500 pre-budget 2022/€4,500 post budget 2022) AND household income is under €40,875 in 2021
    (Note: to get this award from SUSI the household income can be higher than €40,875)
    Band 1 (Full Maintenance) Non-Adjacent including Student Contribution paid:
    €3225 per year paid as €358 per month    		  

    If you are on a different level of SUSI award to the awards on this table, your family income is not under the threshold for the SAF Means Tested Fund. See Additional information relevant to SAF Means Tested Fund applicants below. Find all 3 pages of your SUSI letter in the correspondence section of your online SUSI account.

    What happens after I apply to  the SAF MEANS TESTED Fund?

    1. You will receive a confirmation email to your official university address.

    2. Your application will then be verified for eligibility, and you will be sent an email asking you to upload any required documents using a secure upload link– see the SAF Means Tested Supporting Documents Checklist. Do not email your confidential documents. 

    3. If your documents are correct, your application will be progressed to the Student Assistance Fund committee for approval, and you will be notified of the outcome.

    4. If your documents are not correct, you will be contacted by email and advised on what to do next.

    5. There is a set award of €600 as of April 2023 (students who received €400 award are given a top-up of €200) if approved for the SAF Means Tested Fund. This amount has been set in light of  changes to SUSI announced in budget 2023 which mean that students in receipt of a maintenance grant should receive an additional SUSI payment in December. 

    6. You can contact saf@mu.ie if you are having difficulty getting the required supporting documents. If you do not upload complete and correct documents or do not contact the Student Assistance Fund team about your application, you will receive a reminder email after 2 weeks. If you do not complete your application, it will be closed after 4 weeks. This does not prevent you applying to the SAF again.

    Additional information relevant to SAF Means Tested Fund applicants:

    • In receipt of SUSI but have a different level of award than in the table above?  This means that you are above the income threshold for the SAF Means Tested Fund. If you are eligible for the SAF HEAR/Access Fund, you should complete your application when prompted. You can also check your eligibility for the SAF Exceptional Fund.
    •  
    • ​In receipt of SUSI and within the income limit for the SAF Means Tested Fund but you are in receipt of a Scholarhsip or Bursary worth €2,000 per year or more (e.g. 1916 Bursary, Kickstart, Túsla Education & Training Bursary, Uversity Scholarship)? Check your eligibility for the SAF Exceptional Fund.

    • Eligible for the SAF HEAR /Access Fund this year? You should complete your application for the SAF HEAR/Access Fund when prompted. You can also check your eligibility for the SAF Exceptional Fund.

    • How often can I apply to the SAF Means Tested Fund?  You can only apply once in each academic year to the Means Tested Fund. Check your eligibility for the SAF Exceptional Fund.

    • Need more advice/guidance about your finances? You can avail of the Student Budgeting Advice Service for advice on finances, welfare, SUSI and funding guidance.

    • Have applied but have not received a confirmation email from the Student Assistance Fund team? Check your spam/junk folder in your official @mumail.ie inbox for the email, then contact saf@mu.ie. 

     

     


     

    SAF EXCEPTIONAL FUND - The SAF is closed for applications for the 2022/23 academic year as of 5pm, Fri 28th April. Students who have live applications in the system (i.e. who have received the email from saf@mu.ie to upload supporting documents) can continue to upload supporting documents after 28th April. Applications from first-time applicants are now being priortised and are being processed on a 'first documents completed, first paid' basis until the Fund is fully disbursed. When the Fund is fully disbursed, no more awards from SAF can be made regardless of eligibility.  

    The information below is for reference only, although the Fund is now closed:

    If you are experiencing financial difficulties, you can apply for the SAF Exceptional Fund. You can apply more than once in each academic year to this Fund, provided funds are still available.  To make a first application, follow the steps below under Making an application to the SAF Exceptional Fund. Students who have already been funded from the SAF Exceptional Fund in this academic year can initiate a re-application by emailing student.budget@mu.ie, confirming that you have already been approved for funding from the SAF Exceptional Fund in this academic year, stating that you wish to re-apply and giving as detailed as possible an update of your circumstances.

    Who can apply to the SAF Exceptional Fund?
    The following criteria determine your eligibility to apply for the SAF Exceptional Fund. You must:

    If your application to the SAF Exceptional Fund is approved, there is no set award, the amount is based on the available funding and on your individual circumstances as assessed by the Student Budgeting Advisor and the review of your supporting documents. When funds are fully disbursed, no more awards can be made, regardless of eligibility. Awards may be prioritised based on membership of National Access Plan target groups. .

    SAF Exceptional Fund Thresholds

    You must provide evidence that your gross family income in 2021 was under one of the following thresholds:
     

    Number of Dependents
    in the family home:    		 MU SAF Exceptional income limits
    (SUSI upper limits +17.5%)
    0-3 Dependents in the family home €64,907
    4-7 dependents in the family home €71,199
    8 or more dependents in the family home €77,197
    If there are additional person/s in college in your household you should add this amount per additional person to the relevant income threshold to get the actual income threshold you have to be under e.g. you have 2 siblings in college, add €11,632 to the relevant threshold. €5,816

    Note: where there has been a change of circumstances in the family income since 2021 which impacts your ability to meet the income threshold, speak to the Student Budgeting Advisor about this at your consultation.
     

    Providing Evidence of Family Income
    Students on SUSI:

    Provide their SUSI award letter for 2022/23. (Note: If you are in receipt of a SUSI award, check the ‘reckonable income’ on page 3. This is the gross family income for 2021. Find all 3 pages of your SUSI letter in the correspondence section of your online SUSI account.

    Students who are not on SUSI:

    Students who are not on SUSI must provide evidence that the gross family income was under the relevant SAF Exceptional threshold in 2021. See the SAF Exceptional Fund Supporting Documents Checklist.

     

    Making an application to the SAF EXCEPTIONAL FUND

    The Fund is now closed. The information below is for general reference, although the fund is closed:

    Steps to make an application:

    1. Students who have been approved for funding from the SAF Exceptional Fund already in this academic year, can initiate a re-application by emailing student.budget@mu.ie confirming that  you have already been awarded funding from the SAF Exceptional Fund in  this academic year and giving as detailed an update of your circumstances as possible. In this way, the SBA meeting may be waived for second or subsequent applications but you will still need to upload supporting documents when you are prompted by email to do so.
    2. Students who have not been approved for funding already must Complete a budget form for the Student Budgeting Advisor (SBA) [This Fund is now closed].   
    3. Next, meet the SBA. When you complete Step 1 you receive a confirmation email to your official university email address with a link to the SBA calendar: you can either SELECT A SPECIFIC TIME ON THE SBA's CALENDAR  OR  ATTEND THE SBA DROP-IN CLINIC  in the Student Services building on WED 26th APRIL 10.30am-12.30pm or THURS 27th APRIL 2pm - 4pm . 
    4. The SBA will email you with the link to the SAF Exceptional Fund application form (and may recommend you for other funding options also), so keep an eye on your @mumail.ie email address for emails from student.budget@mu.ie. 
    5. Upload supporting documents when prompted. Your application to the SAF Exceptional Fund will next be verified for eligibility, and you will be asked to upload supporting documents via a secure online link. You will be provided with the SAF Exceptional Fund Supporting Documents Checklist. Look out for emails from saf@mu.ie.  Do not email confidential supporting documents.
    6. If your documents are not correct, you will be emailed for more information. Look out for emails from saf@mu.ie.
    7. If your documents are correct, you'll get an outcome email. There is no set award from SAF Exceptional Fund. The SBA will make a recommendation of an amount based on the individual's circumstances and the SAF committee will make the final decision based on all the information submitted in the application process inlcuding the meeting, the supporting documents etc.
    8. You can contact saf@mu.ie at any point if you are having difficulty with providing the required supporting documents. If you do not upload complete and correct supporting documents or do not contact the Student Assistance Fund team about your application, you will receive a reminder email after 2 weeks. If you do not complete your application, it will be closed after 4 weeks. This does not prevent you applying to the fund again.
    9. When all funds are disbursed no more awards can be made regardless of eligiblity. 

     

     

     

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the SAF

    Review the SAF FAQ's to find more information about your eligibility, making an application, the outcome and appeals.

    For more information on the SAF, you can view the SAF Guidelines Flyer and the Higher Education Authority's SAF page on studentfinance.ie.

     

    Government of Ireland and HEA logos

          
    The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.