Student Assistance Fund - Emergency Fund

Student Assistance Emergency Fund 2023/24

Applications for the SAF Emergency Fund remain open throughout the academic year

The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). The SAF is allocated to higher education institutions (HEIs).  SAF is designed to support students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds with ongoing needs for financial support.  SAF also supports All Students in need of emergency financial assistance.  Unfortunately the level of funding that we have received for the academic year 2022/2023 has been greatly reduced on previous years.  Students not in one of the socio-economically disadvantaged categories outlined in the National Access Plan are eligible to apply but may be invited to meet with a member of the committee in order to progress their application or requested to supply supporting documentation.

To apply you must complete the MIE SAF Emergency Fund Application Form which can be found at the following webpage www.mie.ie/en/student_life/student_support_service/student_assistance_fund/ 

Applications will open for Semester 2 in February.  

Student Assistance Fund (SAF)

Principles

The Student Assistance Fund provides financial assistant for students who are experiencing financial difficulty during their studies. The fund is available to full and part-time (minimum 30 ECTS required per annum) registered students in Marino Institute of Education. 

Financial assistance is available for the following categories:

• books and class materials
• rent and other utility bills
• food
• essential travel
• childcare costs
• medical costs

The above list is not exhaustive, however it is important that the nature of the expenditure for which assistance is being provided is clearly identified.

The Student Assistance fund does not cover the cost of

• tuition fees
• registration fees
• student loan repayments or any costs borne by the Institute
• The fund will be distributed as follows:

HEAR Grant - the amount awarded each year varies as it depends on the total amount of the SAF fund allocated to MIE.  The HEAR grant is paid in 2 instalments (50% paid in November and 50% paid in February)

General fund – Applications will open in November and February (if you receive funds in November you are still eligible to apply again in February)

Small emergency fund – Paid throughout the academic year (these funds are set aside for students who find themselves in need of emergency financial support at any point of the academic year)

Funds will be distributed fairly with a set amounts awarded based on the size of the fund and the amount of applications we receive.  Each category of applicant i.e. HEAR, 1916 Bursary recipient, SUSI grant code etc will have set amount awarded to them under the categories listed below.  These amounts will be determined by the amount of applications received.

Application forms become available in Semester 1 and Semester 2 of each academic year. 

The Student Assistance Fund Committee 

The SAF committee will consist of

1. Assistant Registrar (Chair, non-voting)
2. The Access Officer
3. A representative from the Finance team
4. Student Union Welfare Officer
5. A member of the Academic staff

The committee will review the Student Assistance Fund policy and procedures at the end of semester two in each academic year. 

The Student Assistance Fund is designed to provide a source of financial support in addition to a SUSI grant. 

To read more about the MIE Hardship Support Policy please go to the following webpage https://www.mie.ie/en/about_us/quality_assurance/policies_procedures/student_hardship_support_policy.pdf