Westmeath Community Development

The Millennium Partnership Fund for Disadvantage: Access to Third Level Education was announced by the Minister for Education & Science in September 2000.  Pobal has managed the fund to date in collaboration with the National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education. 

What is the objective of the Fund?
The Millennium Partnership Fund is available to students from Pobal-funded Partnership and Community Partnership areas to support their retention and participation in further and/or higher education. 

How can I access Millennium funding?
Students who are in need of additional assistance in completing further and/or higher education studies may apply to the Partnership or Community Partnership in the area where they have been awarded a Local Authority or VEC grant. The following supports are generally available under the Fund but it is advisable to check with the local group for confirmation:

• Financial supports to meet participation costs
• Provision of Information e.g. guidance and mentoring
• Study supports including tuition and study skills.

When is the Fund available?
Enquiries regarding criteria, closing dates and applications for the fund should be made to your local Partnership or Community Partnership at the start of the academic year in question.

What other funding is available?
Ranges of other supports are available - one of the most important financial supports is grant schemes, which are accessible through the county/city council or VEC.  Information on these and a variety of others can be found in Financial Support for Further and Higher Education 2007/2008- a booklet published by the Student Support Unit in the DES.  Please contact the DES at 0506-24300 for a copy.

Another interesting source of information is the HEAwebsite: www.studentfinance.ie  which is a comprehensive information resource on financial supports for students in further and higher education. www.studentfinance.ie provides user-friendly information on a variety of schemes, including

• Maintenance grant schemes
• Student Assistance Fund
• Fund for Students with Disabilities
• Back to Education Allowance
• Tuition fee schemes
• Millennium Partnership Fund