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Bursary for Young People with Care Experience

Up to €5,000 towards the tuition fees on a further education or training course, paid straight to the college rather than to you.

Last checked October 2026

What it is

For anyone 18 or over who spent at least 6 months in care in the Republic of Ireland before their 18th birthday. It pays up to €5,000 towards TUITION FEES for further education or training, a new course or one you are already on. You must be either not eligible for or not getting a SUSI fee grant and you need to be able to show that. The 2026 window ran from 31 August to 5pm on Friday 2 October and has closed. Tusla does not consider anything received before or after those dates or anything incomplete. Ask your Aftercare Worker or Tusla Support Worker, they have to sign it off.

Who can get it

You are aged 18 or over.
You spent at least 6 months in care in the Republic of Ireland before your 18th birthday, under Section 4, 17 or 18 of the Childcare Act 1991.
You are looking for help with tuition fees, either for a new course or one you are already on.
You are not eligible for or not getting a SUSI fee grant and you can show evidence of that.
Your Aftercare Worker or Tusla Support Worker will confirm your care history, and your college will give you a letter confirming your place.

Good to know

It is fees only. Applications cannot be made for course equipment, ICT equipment, driving lessons or accommodation costs.
The money never comes to you. Tusla pays the college or training centre directly, on a valid invoice, and it will not reimburse fees you have already paid yourself. So apply before you pay.
The 2026 window ran from 31 August to 5pm on Friday 2 October and has closed. Tusla states that applications received before or after those dates will not be considered. Incomplete ones are not considered either. Tusla says applicants will be told the outcome by 9 October 2026.
The amount is not automatic. A Tusla Education Champions panel decides each award, and it weighs the size of the fund against how many valid applications come in, so you may get less than you asked for.
This is a different thing from the Aftercare Allowance, a weekly allowance for living costs while you are in education or accredited training. Your aftercare worker can tell you whether you may qualify for it as well.

How to apply

Applications go through Tusla. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.

Go to the official page →

Checked against the official source on 7 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.

Questions people ask

How much can I get?

Up to €5,000 towards tuition fees. The exact amount is decided by Tusla's Education Champions panel, which takes into account how many valid applications it receives so the fund is shared out fairly. You may be awarded less than you apply for.

I am already getting a SUSI grant, can I apply?

No, not if SUSI is covering your fees. The scheme is specifically for people who are not eligible for, or not receiving, a SUSI fee grant, and you have to be able to evidence that as part of your application.

Can it pay for a laptop, my rent or driving lessons?

No. Tusla states that applications cannot be made for course equipment, ICT equipment, driving lessons or accommodation costs. It is tuition fees only.

When was the 2026 application window?

The 2026 window ran from Monday 31 August to 5pm on Friday 2 October and has closed. Nothing sent before or after those dates is considered. Incomplete applications are not considered either. An application needed a sign-off from your Aftercare Worker, Tusla Support Worker or Aftercare Drop-in Service and a letter from your college.

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