VEC Maintenance Grants

The Department of Education and Science provides a means-tested maintenance grants scheme for students attending full-time Further Education courses. Information on eligibility, income limits and application details is available from the College Admissions Office. If you have further queries contact your local VEC. Grant applications should be made to your local VEC.

Maintenance Grants – Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if I am eligible:

Age: You must be at least 17 years of age by the 1st January or before commencing the course. Post Leaving Cert students should be at least 16 years of age on commencement of the course.
Residence: You should apply to the relevant awarding body for the area in which your parents/guardians were living last October - except for independent mature candidates (23 years or over not living with parents) who should apply to where they were ordinarily resident from October 1st of the year prior to going to College.
Nationality: Candidates must hold EU nationality or have official refugee status or have been granted leave to remain in the state for humanitarian or other specified reasons.
Academic Requirements: Candidates must be attending a full time course in an approved institution. Candidates must not have previously received a maintenance grant for the same or higher level of study.
Means: To qualify for a grant you must satisfy a means test - your income must be below a certain level.

2. When and how do I apply?

Applications forms are usually available in July every year. Phone your local VEC or Co. Council (see 'Where to Apply?') or call into the Youth Information Centre.
You must fill out the application form with the relevant documentation and send it back to you local VEC or Co. Council (as appropriate) before the deadline (generally 31st August).
The relevant authority may however accept an application which is not received on time.