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Courses
Courses
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University Life
University Life
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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
Since 1845, University of Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
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Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
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Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends
There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Accessibility & LanguageMeans Tested Fund
Who can apply?
Irish and EU Students with a gross family income less than €58,470 are encouraged to apply now so that their applications can be assessed in advance. This threshold is based on last year's arrangements and may change for the coming year. Funding levels will not be confirmed until November, and meeting the current threshold does not guarantee an award.
HEAR, Access School Leaver and Access Mature students should apply to the HEAR|Access Fund instead (see here).
To apply please ensure you have the following details:
- Your IBAN from an Irish bank account and Evidence of Your IBAN. See here for an example: Sample Evidence of IBAN - All Funds.pdf
- Your most recent SUSI letter pages which must show your name, address and the "Assessed Reckonable Income". In the case of repeat students your SUSI letter from the previous year will suffice. See here for an example: Sample-SUSI-Grant-Award-Letter.pdf
We assess your application on gross income. Please note this does not mean the Assessed Reckonable Income as per the SUSI Letter. Gross Income includes Assessed Reckonable Income plus any income disregards by SUSI. This means that all household income shown on the document you upload is taken into consideration.
Where do I apply?
The fund is now open for 2026/27. Please apply on the following link: Means Tested Fund 2026-27 – Fill in form
Key considerations in making your application:
- Students can only apply once per academic year to a fund.
- If you submit more than one application to a fund, only your latest application will be retained and assessed; earlier applications to that fund are probably over-written.
- By uploading incorrect or inaccurate documentation, your application will be rejected or delayed.
- EU (including UK) students may apply to the Emergency Hardship Fund plus one other fund if eligible and relevant.
Fund-Specific FAQ's:
How do I know if I am eligible to apply for the Means Tested Fund?
It is important to note that eligibility for support from the Means Tested Fund is based on a defined and appropriately documented income figure. The upper income limit for eligibility for the fund in 2025/2026 was €58,740 but whether we can fund students at the same level in 2026/27 is dependent on the funding we receive from the HEA and we are unlikely to know about this until November. Please also note that this fund has a limited budget and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, therefore once the funds have been exhausted the fund will close for the academic year. Early application is recommended.
What documentation do I need to submit with my Means Tested Fund application?
All applicants (Undergraduate and Postgraduate) should show their household income by submitting SUSI letters. Part-Time Postgraduate students are not eligible for SUSI so are welcome to submit a Statement of Liability from the previous year for all income earners in their household.
Will any SUSI letter suffice?
The SUSI letter or pages uploaded MUST show the household income (Assessed Reckonable Income) and the name of the recipient. Please note that we consider ALL income on this document as relevant for your Financial Aid application. Please see the following attachment for an example of what we are looking for: Sample-SUSI-Grant-Award-Letter.pdf
Where will I find that SUSI letter?
It should be on your initial offer letter from SUSI, on your SUSI portal under the 'My Letters' heading, or you can contact SUSI for another copy of the letter that shows the household income.
Whose income is being assessed?
We assess gross household income. This means that everyone in the household's income is considered. If you are a dependent student (i.e. you were under 23 on 1st January of the year that you started your course) then you will need to provide your parents' / guardians' incomes. If you are an independent student (i.e. you were over 23 on 1st January of the year that you started your course and you live away from home) then you will need to provide your income and your spouse's / partner's income, if applicable.
SUSI already assesses the relevant incomes so if you are in receipt of SUSI, you needn't worry about this and can just submit your SUSI documents.
Do I have to submit my SUSI documents or can I use different income documents instead?
If you are in receipt of SUSI, then yes, you must submit your SUSI documents. Students who are not eligible to apply for SUSI (e.g. part-time Postgraduate students) can submit a Statement of Liability for all income earners in the household instead.
What is a Statement of Liability (formerly P21) and where can I get it?
A Statement of Liability is a statement of total income, tax credit and tax paid for a particular tax year. You can find information on how to get your Statement of Liability at the following webpage: https://www.revenue.ie/en/jobs-and-pensions/end-of-year-process/statement-of-liability.aspx
Are there any residency requirements that I need to be aware of?
Students who are non-EU, including UK nationals, but who are eligible for free or reduced fees in line with the criteria for the Free Fees Initiative, may be considered for the Fund subject to meeting other relevant criteria.
I have refugee status. Can I still apply?
Once a student can produce a SUSI letter to support their documentation this confirms that they meet SUSI criteria and the SUSI criteria has significant overlap with the Means Tested Fund.
Where can I get help and advice about the Financial Aid Fund?
Students who require assistance are advised to contact the Financial Support Team on financialaid@universityofgalway.ie
Can I appeal the decision?
Yes. There are two grounds for appeal. They are:
- You believe there was an administrative error made in the assessment of your application i.e. you think a mistake was made when your application was being reviewed that led to you not being awarded funding.
- (for the Emergency Hardship Fund and International Emergency Funds only) You believe that insufficient weight was given to an aspect of your application i.e. that not all of your circumstances were taken into consideration when your application was being reviewed.
How do I know which fund to apply to?
If you're unsure which fund or funds you might be eligible for after reading the eligibility criteria on the website, please contact us on financialaid@universityofgalway.ie
None of these funds seem to apply to me, am I still eligible for funding?
We suggest that you read the eligibility criteria for each fund carefully. However if you are in financial difficulty and none of the funds above apply, you may still contact us to check your eligibility for alternative sources of funding or support.
I am having difficulty paying my fees, can I use this fund to help with them?
No, the Financial Aid Fund cannot help students with the cost of fees or loans from this fund. However, if you contact our Fees Office they may be able to arrange a payment instalment plan for you. You will find further information at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/student-fees
