The following rules apply to the Graduate Bursary:
1. The qualification for which the bursary is paid must be either:
a. On the DCEDIY Early Years Recognised Qualifications list and indicated as meeting the qualification requirements for lead educator graduate premium.
Or
a. The applicant must hold a letter of eligibility to practice from DCEDIY which states that the qualification meets the standard for graduate premium.
2. The award must be placed at level 7/8/9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and achieved in the academic years 2015 - 2024.
3. The bursary amount will be €1,000.
4. The qualification must be a full, major award; the bursary cannot be paid in respect of partially completed awards.
5. Letters from third level education providers which state that a partially completed award is equivalent to a full award should not be accepted.
6. The qualification for which the bursary is paid must be that which qualifies the person to work in the Early Years sector (and is at least level 7 on the NFQ).
7. Applicants may only apply once and cannot be granted the Learner Fund bursary for a second time if they have already received it before i.e. the bursary will be paid for one of the following - a level 7 OR a level 8 OR a level 9 qualification.
8. The applicant cannot have received any public funding in support of their completing the award relating to this application.
9. The bursary is available to experienced practitioners only; applicants must have been working in a Tusla registered Early Learning & Care Service (or as a childminder registered with Tusla) prior to beginning their course.
10. Applicants must be currently working in a Tusla registered Early Learning & Care Service. Childminders registered with Tusla can apply for the Graduate Bursary.
11. Staff working in standalone School Age Childcare services are not eligible to apply.
12. Application must be made by the holder of the award and not by any third party on their behalf.
13. CCCs should ensure that the name of the applicant on the application form matches that on both the identification document and the qualification or award documentation. Further evidence may be requested to validate the applicant’s name. Applicants are requested to apply with the name used in the certificate or transcript.
14. Applicants will be required to declare that this is the sole application they have made for the graduate bursary.
If you meet the eligibility criteria for the 2024 Learner Fund Bursary, please download the Applicant Rules and Application form. You can submit a completed application form to:
Learner Fund Graduate Bursary – 2024 Application Form
Learner Fund Graduate Bursary – 2024 Applicant Guide