The brains, (ahem!) behind scholarships is to encourage those with ability to pursue and develop their talents. Here are a few schemes that are in existence for this very purpose:

Subject based scholarships

1) National Building Agency Foley Scholarship for Architecture; this provides students from socially and economically disadvantaged areas with an opportunity to study Architecture in college. There are two scholarships available awarded each year; worth approximately €6,400 each. Visit www.riai.ie

2) Science Foundation Ireland/Dell Scholarship-Young Women in Engineering; this is aimed at encouraging more young women into a designated four year engineering programme. It involves an annual award of €2,000; see www.sfi.ie for more details on this.

Area based scholarships/grants

1) Credit Union Member Scholarships; many credit unions in Ireland provide educational grants in their areas. These pertain to students studying at all levels of education. (www.creditunion.ie) 

2) Diageo Liberties and Coombe Scholarships; Diageo (company which owns Guinness) fund scholarships for Dublin 8 area for students who need financing. See www.diageo.ie 

3) Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) Scholarship; available for full time students who are living in the Docklands area. It’s intended to assist with books, materials and academic costs. €1,300 is given to degree courses and €650 is designated to diploma/certificate students. Go to www.dublindocklands.ie for more on this.

4) Reid Entrance Exhibition; there are five scholarships awarded by Trinity College for students in financial difficulty who are not eligible for HEG scheme. Applicants must be natives of Kerry; the funding is made on the basis of Leaving Cert results. Successful applicants will receive their evening meal free of charge, a laptop and €6,000 per year. Visit www.tcd.ie for more information.

General scholarships/grants

1) Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust; this is designed to create opportunities for students facing obstacles. The scheme aims to provide for those who have difficulties in various areas; be they financial or as a result of a serious illness. The scholarships are available for any third level education and are renewable annually. It is not awarded by an application process; eligible students must be nominated by a suitable body; see www.bankofireland.com for more details.

2) Donagh O’Malley Scholarship Scheme; intended for top performers in the Leaving Cert from socially disadvantaged areas; these are determined on a regional basis. The regions targeted are: Dublin City and County, the rest of Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster. There is an annual award of €6,500 given to each recipient. The sum is made in addition to the normal student and top-up grants. Visit www.education.ie to find out more.

3) NUI Equal Education Opportunities Scheme; €2,000 is given to each NUI to support students in need of financial support. Awards are made based on the recommendations of the universities. (www.nui.ie)

4) SIPTU Education Scholarships for Members; SIPTU gives five scholarships, based on Leaving Certificate results, to the sons and daughters of its members. To be eligible the parents of the student need to be members a minimum of five years. Approximately €3,175 is awarded to each student. Go to www.siptu.ie for further information.

5) Society of St. Vincent de Pail Education Grants; available to those from disadvantaged areas; usually clients of the society. It aims to assist in the process of primary, secondary and third level education. It helps with childcare, registration fees, etc. It is not, however, for tuition fees themselves; or for postgraduate studies or private education. Learn more from the website www.svp.ie.

Scholarships assisting students with disabilities

1) NUI Award Scheme for Students with Disabilities; this awards an amount up to €635 to new undergraduate entrants. Eligible candidates must be registering for the first year of a primary degree in an NUI. Email rosario.ryan@nuim.ie 
for more information.

2) Department of Education Special Fund for Students with Disabilities; provides for students with special needs. It’s administered by the Higher Education Grants (HEG); applicants should contact the Disability Officer of the college in September/October each year.

3) DCU run a scholarship scheme which supports disabled students who wish to combine their academic course with their sporting interests. There is a limited number available; those eligible must have secured a place at DCU through CAO as a Leaving Cert student or as a mature applicant. The award aims to cover training, travel and coaching expenses and involves free access to the DCU sports complex. Contact deirdre.moloney@dcu.ie before the 1st of April and yvonneoconnor@dcu.ie afterwards.

Individual colleges have in the past awarded scholarships to disabled students. The appropriate Disability Officer should be contacted to seek further information.