You don't apply for free fees: the college assesses you from your application. The traps are repeating a failed year, switching course, and private colleges, which never qualify.
Quick facts
- Tuition fees
- Paid by the State
- Student contribution
- Up to €2,500
- Residence
- 3 of the last 5 years in EEA, UK or Switzerland
- Course
- First full-time undergraduate, 2+ years
- Private colleges
- Not covered
- Apply?
- No, it's automatic
Who qualifies
"You must have been living in an EEA member state or Switzerland or United Kingdom (UK) for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course ." You must also be an EEA, UK or Swiss citizen, or have refugee status, subsidiary protection or certain other permissions.
"You must be starting a full-time undergraduate course that lasts at least 2 years (or certain shorter courses in institutes of technology)." "You must be starting an undergraduate course for the first time."
Second chances
You can still qualify if you're moving from a Level 6 or 7 qualification up to Level 8, or you "Previously attended a course but did not complete it, and are returning to study an approved course at the same level after a break of at least 5 years".
"You must not be repeating a year because of failing your exams or changing course (this may be waived in exceptional circumstances, such as a certified serious illness)." Repeat students may get the lower EU fee rate instead.
Which colleges
Universities, technological universities and institutes, public colleges of education and the National College of Ireland. "You cannot get free fees for courses in private colleges, whether they have Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) approval or not." A CAO listing doesn't mean a course is free.
The student contribution
"The maximum rate of the student contribution is now €2,500." If you qualify for a SUSI maintenance grant, you usually get a fee grant covering it; lower incomes can get half off.
Families paying contributions for more than one student can claim tax relief on the second and later ones. "An EU, EEA or Swiss student who has spent at least 5 years in primary school or post-primary school in Ireland can avail of EU fee rates."
Applying
"You don't need to apply for the Free Fees Initiative." The college assesses you from the information you give when you apply for your place. Apply to SUSI separately for grants.
Common questions
Is college free in Ireland?
Tuition is free for most undergraduates at publicly funded colleges under the Free Fees Initiative, but you pay a student contribution of up to €2,500 a year.
How much is the student contribution in Ireland?
The maximum is now €2,500. It varies by college, and a SUSI fee grant can cover all or half of it.
Do I need to apply for free fees?
No. You're assessed from the information in your college application.
Can I get free fees if I repeat a year?
Not if you're repeating because you failed or changed course, unless there are exceptional circumstances such as certified serious illness.
Can I get free fees if I dropped out before?
Yes, if you return to an approved course at the same level after a break of at least 5 years.