The Irish Ministry of Education and Skills funds the Third Level Bursary Scheme for at least 60 DEIS schools students. A DEIS school is a school that is included in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme. Awards will be made on a regional basis: Dublin, rest of Leinster, Munster, Connaught/Ulster. The bursary consists in a yearly stipend of €2,000 paid on the beginning of each academic year. Beneficiaries receive payments for duration of one undergraduate course and up to a maximum 4 years postgraduate study.
Selection will be made from students having achieved the best Leaving Certificate results. Students are expected to have attended a DEIS school and to be first-time candidates for the Leaving Certificate. Candidates must also be exempt from payment of the Leaving Certificate fee by virtue of holding a medical card. The third level course must be of at least 2 year’s duration in a publicly-funded establishment.