Supporting Documentation
All relevant supporting documentation must be uploaded as part of your online application. It is advisable to get the documents you need first and only begin your online application once your documents are saved as digital files. These can be in the following formats: JPEG, PDF or PNG and to a file size maximum of 5mb.
If you have to wait for documents to be sent to you, you can begin your application online and upload the documents at a later time but still before the closing date.
Please note: The opening and closing dates will be confirmed soon for 2024/25. Incomplete or late documentation will not be accepted and will render applications ineligible.
For any paper documents, you will need to create scanned electronic copies of them to upload online. Please note, you can only upload one digital file per question. If you have two or more documents to upload per question you need to create a single digital file first. There are a number of ways to create a scanned electronic copy of your document/s:
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Use your smartphone camera:
-Scan your paper documents using the free app OfficeLens (Android / iPhone) combined with your camera. You can also follow these 8 steps using the Notes app on your iPhone.
- If using the camera alone to take photos, ensure the screenshots are of good quality and all information is visible.
- Save your electronic documentation onto your pc/laptop/USB key/phone.
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Use a printer/scanner at your college:
- At a printer, swipe your Student ID card and set the document that you wish to scan face up on the top tray of the printer and click Scan on the printer’s screen.
- Your scanned document will be emailed to you as an attachment to your college email address.
- Save your electronic documentation onto your pc/laptop/USB key/phone.
- It is not advisable to use the print facility to remotely print confidential documents.
Supporting documents for Income
| Income | Supporting Document | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Department Social Protection (DSP) payment | Full DSP statement of payments for 2023 | You can request a DSP statement for 2023 through mywelfare.ie or from your local community welfare office/Intreo Office |
| Self-employed income | Notice of Assessment / Self-Assessment Letter for the year 2023 | You can request a Notice of Assessment / Self-Assessment for 2023 from the relevant person’s account at www.revenue.ie |
| Income from Employment (PAYE) | Statement of Liability 2023. Note: An end of year employment summary pdf is not a statement of liability. . | A Status of Liability (formerly called End of year statement – P21) for 2023 can be requested from the relevant person(s) revenue account at www.revenue.ieA Status of Liability/End of year statement is a 2-sided document, please include a pdf copy of both the front and back page. |
| Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) | Letter from an Educational Training Board (ETB) or Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) College where you attended confirming the total amount earned in 2023. | The letter must be on headed paper, signed and dated by an official in the ETB or PLC you attended in 2023. |
| TUS/CE/RSS Schemes | Statement of Liability (formally called End of year statement – P21) for the year ended 31 December 2023 | A Status of Liability for 2023 can be requested from the relevant person(s) revenue account at www.revenue.ieA Status of Liability/End of year statement is a 2-sided document, please include a pdf copy of both the front and back page. |
| Self-Employed and Farmers | A copy of Notice of Assessment/Self-Assessment Letter Chapter 4 or 5 for the year ended 31 December 2023 | You can request a Notice of Assessment / Self-Assessment for 2023 from the relevant person’s account at www.revenue.ie |
| Non-Irish Income/Welfare Payments Official | Documentation from the country to show the total income received for year ending 31 December 2023 |
Supporting documents for Priority Groups
| Applicant | Supporting Documentation |
|---|---|
| Applicants with a disability | If you were deemed eligible for the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) then with your consent, your disability information will be verified directly with the CAO and you are not required to submit supporting documentation regarding your disability. This also applies if you have ‘carried forward’ your DARE eligibility from 2023 provided you include your 2024 CAO number in your Bursary application.
|
| Applicants who are migrants, refugees or from ethnic minorities who are lawfully present in the State | Official letter from the Department of Justice and Equality confirming the specific ‘right and permission to remain’ or naturalisation of applicant and/or parent/dependant.
Copy of the applicant’s Irish Residence Permit (IRP) that details your Visa stamp details. For more info please see: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/inis/Pages/irish-residence-permit |
| Applicants who are a Lone Parent or Teen Parent | You will be asked to submit one of the following:
- Evidence of being in receipt of a long-term DSP One Parent Family payment in 2023 - Evidence of being in receipt of a long-term DSP One Parent Transitional payment in 2023 - Letter from DSP stating that the applicant is currently or was formally on a One Parent Family payment and met the criteria of a lone parent - (in the case of a teen parent only) Evidence of being in receipt of a Child Benefit payment in 2024 or earlier |
| Irish Traveller | If you self-declare that you are a member of the Traveller Community, you are not required to provide supporting documentation as part of the online application; however you may be asked to provide further information later. |
| Roma Applicants | If you self-declare that you are a member of the Roma Community, you are not required to provide supporting documentation of this as part of the online application however, you may be asked to provide further information later. |
| First Time Mature Student Applicants | You are not required to provide supporting documentation that you are a First Time Mature Student, this will be verified by your higher education institution. |
| Second Chance Mature Student Applicants | You are not required to provide supporting documentation that you are a Second Chance Mature Student, this will be verified by your higher education institution who will confirm that you are you returning to higher education having:
|
| QQI or Further Education award holders | You will be asked to provide supporting documentation that you are a QQI or Further Education award holder. This includes QQI award holders up to and including an advanced certificate at level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications and also awards made by former awarding bodies such as FETAC and NCVA. Please note, an award at level 6 or higher issued by a Higher Education Institution is not acceptable because the 1916 Bursary is only available to first time entrants to Higher Education. For additional information on further education and training awards, including how to obtain a record of your award (if you cannot find yours), please visit: https://www.qqi.ie/what-we-do/qqi-awards/replacement-certificates-learner |
| Applicants Living in a socio-economically disadvantaged community | You are not required to provide supporting documentation that you are living in a disadvantaged area as part of the online application. This will be verified by an external geo-coding company using your Eircode and address provided in the online application. |
Additional Circumstances
Applicants can also provide details of additional information that will make it easier to determine your level of need. If you tick ‘yes’ to any of these questions you will be asked to provide additional documentation (with 2 exceptions detailed below). If none of these questions apply to you and you indicate ‘no’ to all of these questions, you will still be able to complete an application for a 1916 Bursary.
| Applicant | Supporting Documentation |
|---|---|
| Is or was in the care of the State / TUSLA | Letter from TUSLA or official associated agency confirming the dates the applicant was in the care of State. |
| Applicant who is/was previously Homeless | Letter from the Health Service Executive (HSE), Homeless Support Service/Agency confirming the applicant is or was previously homeless. |
| Applicant was living in or is transitioning out of Direct Provision* |
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| Applicant with experience with criminal justice system or with a criminal record | You are not required to provide supporting documentation of this as part of the online application, however you may be asked to provide further information later. Please note: As the impact of a criminal record is felt for many years after an individual has completed their court ordered sanction, there is no time limit on how recent these convictions were. |
| Applicant who is a survivor of domestic violence | You are not required to provide supporting documentation of this as part of the online application, however you may be asked to provide further information later. |
| Applicants who attended DEIS second level school(s) for 5 years | Letter from second level school(s) confirming the dates and timeline that the applicant attended the DEIS school. |
*Please Note: Students who are currently living in direct provision are not eligible for support under the 1916 Bursary Fund; the only exception is in respect of those residents who have been granted either refugee status, subsidiary protection status or leave to remain, and who are currently transitioning out of direct provision.
Additional Information
For more information, visit the following links:
Are you ready to apply for the bursary?
What is the 1916 Bursary?
The 1916 Bursary is a financial award to encourage the participation and success of students from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education.
Can I apply?
To be eligible for a 1916 Bursary, all applicants must meet, Financial, Priority Group and College Entry eligibility criteria.