University fee / grant etc for foreign wife

chicken fingers

Can the wife of an Irish person attend university in Ireland without fees?
She is non-EU and they have been married just 8 months.

He would qualify for mature student grant and the local grant also as far as I know.
Or would she have to pay fees etc.

bananabunch

Depends on how long the have had legal residency in the country. Access to higher education should be on the same basis as an EU citizen (EU level of fees). Eligible for local authority/VEC higher education and maintenance grant with three years legal residency.

bananabunch

So that is EU level of fees, not free fees.

dingding

I think there is a residency requirement something like 3 of the past 5 years to get the "free fees".

Probably best to contact the admissions dept of your local institute / university.

They should be able to advise as there are many contributing factors.

bananabunch

See http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/fees.html for more info. There is a big difference between EU and Non-EU fees but looks like free fees are out of the question unless she becomes and EU citizen (or has refugee status).

chicken fingers

thanks guys, thats a great help. That citizens info site looks like a gold mine I will pass it all on.

cee_jay

Not a State Benefits issue - moving to Student Finances. You may get more help there.