The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is co-funded by the Irish Government and European Union under the European Social Fund Human Capital Investment Programme.
The purpose of the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is to assist further and higher education institutions in ensuring students with disabilities have the necessary assistance and equipment to enable them access, fully participate in and successfully complete their chosen course of study. The FSD is one of the main funding sources supporting participation by students with disabilities in approved further and higher education courses in Ireland. It also supports students from Ireland to study on approved courses in Northern Ireland, the UK and other EU countries.
Eligible students on an approved course can receive assistance from post-leaving certificate to doctoral level during any year of study. Full-time undergraduate courses must be not less than two years in duration. Part-time undergraduate courses must be not less than one year in duration. Postgraduate courses must be not less than one year in duration.
To be eligible for support under the FSD, a student on an approved course must:
- have a verifiable disability in one or more of the categories outlined
- meet the nationality and residency criteria outlined;
- be a participant on a full-time or part-time course; AND
- have a verified need for specific supports to enable attendance on their chosen course.
Please note a claim under the FSD is made on behalf of an eligible student by their college following an assessment of need. Applications cannot be made directly to the FSD by students.
Students are advised to apply for supports with the Disability Office as soon as possible so that supports available through the FSD can be accessed.
Further information on the FSD.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning.
Getting to University
There is no one route to third level. Some university students come straight from secondary level, others come to college later in life, some come from overseas and all pursue a variety of courses. The National Council for Special Education has published an Information Booklet on Post School Options for Adults and School Leavers with Disabilities and AHEAD have a range of information and resources on ways that students with disabilities can access college ahead.ie/accessingcollege.
School Leavers
Applicants with a disability applying for full-time undergraduate degrees at Maynooth University apply through the CAO. As part of your CAO application you are given the opportunity to let us know if you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty.
The CAO Handbook provides excellent information on completing your CAO application and the steps involved in disclosing a disability or specific learning difficulty.
You can also apply to DARE if you may not reach the points for your course because of the impact of your disability or specific learning difficulty.
Mature Students
Mature students who apply through the CAO can disclose a disability or specific learning difficulty as part of the CAO application. If you have been offered a place as a mature student and have not applied through the CAO you should contact the Disability Office to register with the service.
It’s a really positive thing to tell us about your disability as this is the first step to receiving a variety of academic supports that will help you reach your full potential while studying at Maynooth University.
For more information on applying to Maynooth University as a mature student please visit the Mature Student Office.
QQI/ FETAC Students
Students with FETAC qualifications who apply through the CAO can disclose a disability or specific learning difficulty as part of the CAO application.
It’s a really positive thing to tell us about your disability as this is the first step to receiving a variety of academic supports that will help you reach your full potential while studying at Maynooth University.
Part-time and International students are also encouraged to register with the Disability Office.
Top Tips for Students
- Make sure you know what documentation is required to register with the Disability Office.
- Check out Undergraduate Studies for advice on course choices and Open Days.
- Visit the campus and ask for a tour; discover the University’s student supports that are available.
- Think about the academic and personal skills you’ll need at college.
- Get in contact with the Disability Office as soon as you are offered your course.
- Put your name down for on campus accommodation if you are moving to Maynooth.
- Visit StudentFinance.ie to make sure you know your entitlements.
- Learn to use the Library website and add the Library Moodle space.
- Follow @MU_MAP on Twitter and get linked in with the office’s announcements, competitions & social activities.
- Read the Frequently Asked Questions that we get asked by students considering Maynooth.
- Look at the Maynooth University Campus Life pages and think about what Clubs and Societies you’d like to join.
Applications for the 2022-23 Maynooth University Undergraduate Scholarship for Students with Disabilities closed on Monday 20th March 2023.
This scholarship is for students in the first year of their undergraduate degree for the first time who have a significant disability and who show significant financial need. If successful, the amount awarded is subject to the available funds each year: for 2022/23 five scholarships of €1,400 will be awarded. The scholarship will be renewed for each year of the undergraduate degree subject to satisfactory academic progress.
The scholarship is open to students who meet the following criteria:
- You are a first-time 1st year.
- You are a full-time or part-time student on an undergraduate course at level 6 (Higher Certificate), Level 7 (Ordinary Bachelor Degree) or Level 8 (Honours Bachelor Degree) on the National Framework of Qualifications, which takes not less than 2 years to complete.
- You have a significant disability requiring a considerable level of support from the Maynooth University Access Programme (MAP). See below for more information.
- You are experiencing significant financial difficulty. See more information below.
- If you are an EU student studying in Ireland, you must satisfy residency requirements under the European Communities Regulations (Free Movement of Persons) 2006 and 2008:
A person who is a family member of a person who is a national of
- an EU Member State,
- a state which is a contracting state to the EEA Agreement,
- the Swiss Confederation, and
- has permission to remain in the State as a family member of such person under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 and 2008 and Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004,
is eligible to apply for the MU Disability Scholarship, provided they are resident in the State (Republic of Ireland) for three of the past five years on the date on which their first year of study commences.
Applicants who have already secured funding from other significant Scholarship funds such as the 1916 Bursary will not be considered for the MU Disability Scholarship. This does not include funding support from the Student Assistance Fund, Student Emergency Fund or Short Term Loan.
International students (non-EU) are not eligible.
Occasional students are not eligible.
Students on a course which takes less than 2 years are not eligible.
What does 'significant disability requiring a considerable level of support' mean?
A significant level of support means that you are registered with the Maynooth Access Programme (MAP), have had a Needs Assessment conducted by a MAP Advisor and that one or more of the following supports has been provided to you to assist with your participation and retention in college:
- a Personal Assistant (PA)
- a Notetaker
- an Irish Sign Language (ISL) Interpreter
- a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP)
- a Student Central referral
- transport to and from college paid by MAP
- a recommendation for campus accommodation arranged by MAP
- flexibility on attendance at college due to impact of a disability, arranged by MAP.
Please note: You do not need to provide any documents on disability as your Needs Assessment records on file with MAP will be accessed to confirm your eligibility under this part of the criteria. For more information on registering with MAP see How to apply for disability supports.
What does 'significant financial difficulty' mean?
This simply means that you are finding it hard to cover your additional costs while at college and that it is significantly affecting your participation in your study and/or your retention in college. You will be required to provide supporting financial documents – usually this will only be proof of your family household income. If you apply to the Scholarship, you can use the Supporting Documents Checklist to help you determine which document to provide and you will be supplied with a secure link to upload your confidential documents. Do not email your supporting documents.
How to apply for the MU Undergraduate Disability Scholarship?
Step 1: Complete the MU Undergraduate Scholarship for Students with Disabilities 2022/23 Application Form. When you complete the application form, you will be given instructions on how to complete Steps 2 and 3. You should complete the application form well in advance of the closing date of 5pm on 20th March 2023 as you will need several weeks to complete Steps 2 and 3.
Step 2: Gather and scan your supporting documents. You can refer to the Supporting Documents Checklist to assist you. Allow at least 2-3 weeks to gather your supporting documents.
Step 3: Upload your scanned financial documents. You will be provided with a secure Documents Upload link when you apply to the Scholarship. You should upload your documents well in advance of the application closing date to allow time for follow-up if additional documents/information are required. You can use the same link to upload your documents in several stages. Your application is not complete until full and correct documents are uploaded.
How will your application be assessed?
Your application will be reviewed and assessed based on the eligibility criteria set out above, on impact of disability and on financial circumstances. You must meet all elements of the criteria.
- Eligibility criteria - 1st year, undergraduate etc, as set out above. This will be assessed by MAP. If you do not meet the basic eligibility criteria, your application will not be progressed.
- Disability criteria - your disability Needs Assessment information, which you provided when you registered with MAP, will be used to assess if you have a significant disability as outlined in the Scholarship criteria. You don't have to provide any further documents on disability.
- Financial criteria - The decision on financial hardship will be determined by the Student Budgeting Advisor (SBA) based on the information you provide in the application form and your supporting documents. In some cases, you may be asked to provide additional documents (e.g. the student's bank statements) and/or to have an online/phone consultation with the SBA. You will be notified if this is the case.
- Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of available scholarships, the Needs Assessment/disabilty information will be reviewed by MAP to prioritise those applicants where the impact of disability is most significant.
- Applicants who already have secured funding from other significant Scholarship funds such as the 1916 Bursary will not be considered for the MU Disability Scholarship.
Confidentiality of your data:
- All information provided as part of your application to the Maynooth University Undergraduate Scholarship for Students with Disabilities will be treated confidentially.
- Data collected will be used for the purposes of processing your application to the Scholarship and may be used for recommending you for other funding options, and for research purposes.
- This personal data may include special category data, including sensitive data such as socio-economic status, where you choose to share that data.
- Documents you provide are used for the purposes of your application for the MU Undergraduate Scholarship for Students with Disabilities and for any other funding application that you may be recommended to, as a result of this application; You are provided with a secure link to upload your confidential documents online.
- Where your information is used for research, the data will be rendered anonymously and cannot identify you.
- Your information may be shared with relevant offices in the University for the purposes of processing your application, for forwarding you for other funding supports and for research purposes.
- With your express consent, your information can be shared with third parties for the purposes of improving your financial situation.
- Maynooth University, St. Patrick’s College Maynooth records and your needs assessment records may be accessed and used in order to support your application for this Scholarship or any application for funding support which might arise out of my application and/or the information I have provided here.
- The information provided for the application will be held securely by Maynooth University in line with Maynooth University data retention periods.
- Data protection rules are strictly observed in line with the Maynooth University Data Protection Policy.
- The MU Data Protection Office handles any data protection concerns: dataprotection@mu.ie, 017086184.
