Waterford Leader Partnership

The Millennium Partnership Fund for Disadvantage Access to 3^rd Level Education

Introduction:

Important: Please note that a decision was made as part of Budget 2010 to discontinue the Millennium Fund from 2010 onwards. The Millennium Fund continues to operate for the 2009-10 academic year, however it will not be available from the 2010-11 academic year onwards.

The Millennium Partnership Fund was set up in 2001, initially on behalf of the Department of Education & Science and now in collaboration with the National Access Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education (the National Office).  The primary aim of the fund is to support students with regard to their retention and participation in further and /or higher education.  The Millennium Fund provides an additional source of financial assistance for students who experience financial difficulty while attending college.  This funding is offered in addition to schemes such as the Student Maintenance Grant (available from Waterford County Council or Co-Waterford VEC) or the Student Assistance Fund (available from the college of participation).

To be eligible to apply for the Millennium Fund, the applicant must adhere to the following conditions:

• Have been accepted to participate in a recognized higher education course or a recognized further education course with designated links to higher education.
• Be normally resident in geographic area of Co-Waterford.
• Qualify for or be in receipt of the Student Maintenance Grant for further or higher education (in exceptional cases, this requirement may not apply).
• Students progressing to a course directly from school and students who progress in college may apply.
• Students who have received support in other years and who have progressed are eligible to apply in the new academic year (September 2009 – May 2010).

The Millennium Fund typically provides financial assistance to students who are having difficulty covering the following kinds of expenses:

• College books & associated materials
• Accommodation costs: must supply the landlords PPS number;
• Heating/lighting bills;
• Food bills;
• Travel – by bus only;
• Childcare – must supply an up to date tax clearance certificate from a registered childminder.

Ineligible Expenses:

• Students requiring assistance to help with tuition fess or registration fees cannot receive funding under the Millennium Fund because tuition fees do not apply to undergraduate courses and the student maintenance grant covers the cost of registration fees.
• Petrol/Diesel receipts are not eligible.
• Accommodation/living costs if living at home are not acceptable.
• The purchase of computers/laptops/printers etc is not permissible.

Please note:

• Each application will be assessed on its own merit; therefore it is extremely important to complete the application form in full.  Failure to do so may result in non acceptance of the students application form.
• Incomplete forms will be returned to the student for completion.
• The Evaluation Committee of the Millennium Fund will have final say on applications;
• Canvassing will be disqualified;

For further information on this fund, please contact Niamh Budds on 058-54646 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for an application form.  Applications forms can be downloaded here:-

Closing Date for receipt of applications is 5pm Friday 25th September 2009