Student Budgeting
It is important that you get a clear plan around your student budget: your income and expenditure. Writing out a weekly/monthly/semester budget can help. It is important to be honest and to review your spending as you go. Running out of your budget and financial difficulties can cause stress that will negatively impact your studies and student life. Here are some links that have good information:
How to create a budget – spunout
Financing your Studies | University of Limerick (ul.ie)
Student Finance | Funding, Governance and Performance | Higher Education Authority (hea.ie)
Financial Aid
Financial Aid Fund | UL Undergraduate Courses The Financial Aid Fund is where you can apply for an interest free loan or a bursary if you are a registered UL student. This scheme is designed to help students who experience short-term financial problems. If the student qualifies for assistance, they will receive an interest free loan or a bursary that is capped at €600. If a loan is approved- the loan is repayable in full prior to graduation in payments manageable to the student. The Financial Aid Committee considers applications each week.
How you apply
If you want to apply for financial aid the most important thing to know is that undergraduate students apply to the Student Information and Support Coordinators (SISC) in UL Student Life and postgraduate students apply to the student president in the Postgraduate Students Union. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students can also apply via the UL Chaplain.
Undergraduate students can contact SISC by booking an appointment -follow the links here Support & Services | UL Student Life to book in with one of the Student Information and Support Coordinators in UL Student Life.
You can also contact the UL Chaplain John Campion via email john.campion@ul.ie or text 086-2632458. Chaplaincy Service | University of Limerick (ul.ie)
Booking an appointment is the quickest way to apply for financial aid and you also have space to ask any questions you might have. You also get the benefit of any other support or advice you need.
Postgraduate students can contact the student president in the postgraduate students union and book a chat About Us – ULPSU
You can also contact the UL Chaplain John Campion via email john.campion@ul.ie or text 086-2632458. Chaplaincy Service | University of Limerick (ul.ie)
Booking an appointment is the quickest way to apply and you also have space to ask the post graduate student union president or John the Chaplain any questions you might have. You also get the benefit of any other support or advice you need.
When you make contact, you will be given a Financial Aid application form. You must fill out this form and return it, along with a bank statement showing the last 3 months transactions. Applications are reviewed every week. The information is kept confidential. We know it can be hard to reach out for help when things are tough- but the services are there -so make sure to book in for a chat to talk through the options.
Student Assistance Fund
The Student Assistance Fund (called SAF) is an EU fund administered through the HEA by local colleges. The SAF provides financial support to full or part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. The SAF is means tested and uses thresholds similar to SUSI. Who is not eligible for SAF:
Students who link into a semester
Students on courses that do not lead to an undergraduate/postgraduate qualification, such as Foundation or Access courses
International students are not eligible for the Student Assistance Fund and are advised to contact the International Office if in need of financial support
Non University of Limerick Erasmus students are not eligible for the Student Assistance Fund and are advised to contact their own institution if in need of financial support
Click to link to apply for the SAF- remember there are deadlines for getting your application in and the link only works at certain times during the semester- Check here for more information Student Assistance Fund | University of Limerick (ul.ie)
Childcare Bursary
UL Student Life are committed to supporting student parents to the best of our ability. Student parents who are experiencing financial difficulty can apply for a Childcare Bursary to support them with their childcare costs. For those student parents who qualify for the bursary, 20%-50% of their childcare costs, for the 15 week semester may be covered by the bursary.
How to apply: You can contact The Student Information and Support Coordinators (SISC) in UL Student Life by booking an appointment -follow the links here Support & Services | UL Student Life.
You can also contact the UL Chaplain John Campion via email john.campion@ul.ie or text 086-2632458. Chaplaincy Service | University of Limerick (ul.ie)
Booking an appointment is the quickest way to apply for childcare bursary and you also have space to ask any questions you might have. You also get the benefit of any other support or advice you need.
