If you have any questions about college supports for refugees and people seeking protection in Ireland, you can chat online to a trained Youth Information Officer or leave us a message and we can get back to you.
The Irish Refugee Council have very useful information on accessing and funding available for Further Education and Higher Education: Click Here
More information on SUSI and Other financial supports for college students.
Information Hub for young refugee or international protection applicant
- Are you a young refugee or in international protection?
- Looking for help with access to education, employment?
- Need help figuring things out?
This resource will guide you in answering questions a young person in international protection may have on a variety of themes, such as education, accommodation, employment, and more.
University of Sanctuary Ireland (UoSI) Scholarships
University of Sanctuary Ireland is an Irish initiative to encourage and celebrate the good practice of universities, colleges and other education institutes in welcoming refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants into their university communities and fostering a culture of welcome and inclusion for all those seeking sanctuary.
Available if you have been in Ireland for less than 3 years
Supports offered:
Sanctuary scholarships (covering tuition and sometimes living expenses)
Bridging and foundation courses
Student mentoring and integration support
List of the Universities / Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) that offer Sanctuary Scholarships.
International Protection Student Scheme (for FE/HE Students) 2026/2027 – more information
provides financial grants for students
- who have been continuously resident in the State for a continuous period of 3 years or more
- is a protection applicant or a person at leave to remain stage for a continuous period of 3 years or more as at the day before the date of commencement of the course
- and who has not had a deportation order issued against them.
Additional eligibility criteria:
To apply, a student must be pursuing one of the approved course types for the 2026/2027 academic year:
- a post leaving certificate (PLC) course
- an undergraduate course
- a postgraduate course
Your income will need to be under certain limits to receive a grant. This may or may not include your parents’ income.
SUSI Grant (Student Universal Support Ireland)
open to people with status who have been living in Ireland for 3 years (or more). You must be progressing in your Education and meet income and other requirements
Covers tuition fees and provides maintenance grants depending on income
Bursaries/ Scholarships for young people in International Protection:
Most University/ Colleges have bursaries/ scholarships available for International Protection Applicants e.g. TUD More info….
ODI’s State Street Education Scholarship: Applications are now open to students enrolled in or hoping to apply for third level courses for the 2026-2027 academic year, for both full and part time courses (with start dates anytime in this period). Scholarships of up to €1000 each will be awarded to applicants who meet all the following criteria and are successful in the application process. More info….
Back to Education Allowance/ VTOS
- a range of courses designed to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people in receipt of certain social welfare payments
- You can get the fee part (not the maintenance) of the SUSI grant and the Back to Education Allowance together.
More information
Access Programmes / Foundation Courses
Many universities offer foundation or access programmes for students from disadvantaged or underrepresented groups, including protection applicants.
These can lead into full-time undergraduate courses.
Examples:
Trinity Access Programme (TAP) – Trinity College Dublin
If you have any questions about college supports for refugees and people seeking protection in Ireland, you can chat online to a trained Youth Information Officer or leave us a message and we can get back to you.