€110k boost announced for Dundalk IT student hardship fund

Dundalk Institute of Technology has been awarded €110,788 to assist students with the cost of living. The announcement was made today by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Simon Harris.

The once off funding will be provided through the Student Assistance Fund, which assists students with books and class materials, rent, childcare, transport among other things. It is part of a €4.3 million package the Higher Education Authority (HEA) will distribute to the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country in early 2023.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said: "The Student Assistance Fund is an invaluable resource for third level students who are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

"The fund is there to assist with additional costs they may face over the coming months. It is completely confidential and accessible through the Access Offices in publically funded higher education colleges."

In addition, Minister Harris also confirmed students receiving the once off Tier 3 - 1916 Path 2 bursary will have their bursary increased by €500 for the 2022/2023 academic year.

The objective of the 1916 Bursary Fund, provided under strand 2 of PATH, is to support students who are most socio-economically disadvantaged and who are from communities significantly underrepresented in the student body participate and succeed in higher education.

Target groups include those students from socio-economically disadvantaged communities who have low levels of participation in higher education, students who are members of the Traveller and Roma communities, students with a disability, mature students and further education award holders.