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Step 1 - Check what type of applicant you are

When you are completing your online application in Section A, question 15 you will be asked to confirm what type of applicant you are.

For the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme there are two types of applicants – dependent or independent students.

A. Dependent Student:

The category of dependent student is broken down into the following two student types:

- Student dependent on parent(s) or legal guardian, or

- Mature student dependent on parent(s) or legal guardian.

Student dependent on parent(s) or legal guardian:

This covers all applicants who are, or were, under 23 on the 1st of January in the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course. This option covers most 2013 Leaving Certificate students. If you were under 23 years of age on 1st January, 2013 you must apply as a dependent student.

The means test for your application will be based on your income (if you have any) and on your parent(s) or legal guardian’s income for the 2012 tax year.

If you are under 23 and living independently your means test will still be assessed on your income and your parent(s) or legal guardians’ income for the 2012 tax year as per the student grant scheme 2013.

Mature student dependent on parent(s) or legal guardian:

This covers applicants who are over 23 on the 1st of January in the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course and who was ordinarily resident with his or her parent(s) or legal guardian from 1st October of the year before the first point of entry to an approved course, or re-entry to an approved course.

The means test for your application will be based on your income and on your parent(s) or legal guardian’s income for the 2012 tax year.

B Independent Student:

This covers mature applicants who are over 23 on the 1st of January of the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course and living independently since at least the 1st October 2012.

The means test for your application will be assessed on your income and, depending on your personal circumstances, the income received by your spouse/civil partner/co-habitant.