The Disability Office at Maynooth University coordinates a range of academic supports that put you, the student, at the centre of your academic journey. Once you get here, you’ll find that Maynooth University is a modern campus with accessible lecture theatres and buildings. Technology is widely used by lecturers, and assistive technology is available all across the campus. The Disability Office can help support students with comprehensive learning support programmes, state-of-the-art technology, and a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. Our supports will help you become independent in your learning, easing the transition from school to college and from college to career.
How to Register with the Disability Office
Due to Covid-19 our Drop-in service is currently unavailable. If you wish to arrange a meeting you can schedule an appointment with your Disability Advisor in order to discuss any additional requirements you would like to address or if you would like us to review the supports that are in place. The Disability Office is located within the Maynooth University Access Programme (MAP).
The supports for students with disabilities provided by the Maynooth University Access Programme (MAP) together with the Fund for Students with Disabilities, are co-funded by the Government of Ireland Department of Education and Skills and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
Fund for Students with Disabilities
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is co-funded by the Irish Government and European Union under the European Social Fund Human Capital Investment Programme 2014-2020.
The purpose of the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is to assist further and higher education institutions in ensuring students with disabilities have the necessary assistance and equipment to enable them access, fully participate in and successfully complete their chosen course of study. The FSD is one of the main funding sources supporting participation by students with disabilities in approved further and higher education courses in Ireland. It also supports students from Ireland to study on approved courses in Northern Ireland, the UK and other EU countries.
Eligible students on an approved course can receive assistance from post-leaving certificate to doctoral level during any year of study. Full-time undergraduate courses must be not less than two years in duration. Part-time undergraduate courses must be not less than one year in duration. Postgraduate courses must be not less than one year in duration.
To be eligible for support under the FSD, a student on an approved course must:
- have a verifiable disability in one or more of the categories outlined
- meet the nationality and residency criteria outlined;
- be a participant on a full-time course or may be a participant on a part-time course under pilot approach for 2018; AND
- have a verified need for specific supports to enable attendance on their chosen course.
Please note a claim under the FSD is made on behalf of an eligible student by their college following an assessment of need. Applications cannot be made directly to the FSD by students.
Students are advised to register with the Disability Office as soon as possible so that supports available through the FSD can be accessed.
Further information on the FSD is available here
Maynooth University Undergraduate Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
The Maynooth University Undergraduate Scholarship for Students with Disabilities opens annually. The application process for 20/21 is now closed. The opening of applications for the 21/22 scholarship will be announced here in Semester 1 of the 2021/2022 academic year. This scholarship is for students in the first year of their undergraduate degree for the first time. If successful, the amount awarded is subject to the available funds and the financial need of the applicant; the maximum value is €2,000 per academic year. Subject to satisfactory progress, the scholarship will be renewed for each year of the undergraduate degree.
The scholarship is open to students who fulfil the following criteria:
- You are a first time 1st year undergraduate student.
- You must be registered with the Maynooth University Disability Office. Find out How to Register with the Disability Office.
- You have a significant disability requiring a significant level of support from the Maynooth University Access Programme (MAP). This means that a significant level of support is required to assist you with participation and retention in college. A significant level of support could include eligibility for a Personal Assistant (PA), Notetaker Irish Sign Language (ISL) Interpretation, Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP), Student Central referral, transport, campus accommodation and/or flexibility on attendance due to impact of a disability.
- You are experiencing significant financial difficulty.Significant financial difficulty just means that you are finding it hard to cover your additional costs while at college and that it’s significantly affecting you.
Applicants who already have secured funding from other Scholarship funds will not be considered for the Disability Scholarship. This does not include funding support from the Student Assistance Fund.
How to apply:
Step 1: Check that you have a significant disability as set out in the criteria above. If yes, you can progress to Step 2 below. Please note your Needs Assessment records will be accessed by the Disability Advisor in order to assess your eligibility on this part of the criteria.
Step 2: Are you in significant financial hardship? If Yes, you must provide supporting documents. Gather and scan the financial documents relevant to your situation, as outlined in this:
Step 3: Complete an Application Form by the required deadline.
Step 4: Upload your scanned financial documents using a secure documents upload link by the reuqired deadline.
NOTE: In some cases, students may be required to have an online/phone consultation with the Student Budgeting Advisor. You will be notified if this is the case.
Assessment of your application:
Your application will be reviewed and assessed based on the criteria above including impact of disability AND financial circumstances.
- Your disability needs assessment information, which you provided when you registered with the Disability Office, will be used to assess if you have a significant disability as outlined in the criteria.
- To assess your financial situation, you must provide supporting financial documents (see How to apply, above). The adjudication on financial hardship will be determined by the Student Budgeting Advisor. Only students who meet the criteria for a scholarship due to the impact of a disability will be referred to the Student Budgeting Advisor.
- Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of available scholarships, the needs assessments will be reviewed by the Disability Office to prioritise those applicants where the impact is most significant.
- Applicants who already have secured funding from other Scholarship funds will not be considered for the Disability Scholarship.
- Your application is not complete until full and correct documents are uploaded. Your information will be reviewed, and the outcome will be communicated by email to your Maynooth University email address.
Confidentiality of your data:
- All information provided as part of your application to the Maynooth University Undergraduate Scholarship for Students with Disabilities will be treated confidentially.
- Data collected will be used for the purposes of processing your application to the Scholarship and may be used for recommending you for other funding options, and for research purposes.
- This personal data may include special category data, including sensitive data such as socio-economic status, where you choose to share that data.
- Documents you provide are used for the purposes of your application for the MU Undergraduate Scholarship for Students with Disabilities and for any other funding application that you may be recommended to, as a result of this application; You are provided with a secure link to upload your confidential documents online.
- Where your information is used for research, the data will be rendered anonymously and cannot identify you.
- Your information may be shared with relevant offices in the University for the purposes of processing your application, for forwarding you for other funding supports and for research purposes.
- With your express consent, your information can be shared with third parties for the purposes of improving your financial situation.
- Maynooth University, St. Patrick’s College Maynooth records and your needs assessment records may be accessed and used in order to support your application for this Scholarship or any application for funding support which might arise out of my application and/or the information I have provided here.
- The information provided for the application will be held securely by Maynooth University in line with Maynooth University data retention periods – for more information on data retention periods see Maynooth University Data Protection Policy;
- Data protection rules are strictly observed in line with the Maynooth University Data Protection Policy
- The Maynooth University Data Protection Office may be contacted with any data protection concerns: dataprotection@mu.ie Tel: 017086184.
Getting to University
There is no one route to third level. Some university students come straight from secondary level, others come to college later in life, some come from overseas and all pursue a variety of courses. The National Council for Special Education has published an Information Booklet on Post School Options for Adults and School Leavers with Disabilities and AHEAD have a range of information and resources on ways that students with disabilities can access college ahead.ie/accessingcollege.
School Leavers
Applicants with a disability applying for full-time undergraduate degrees at Maynooth University apply through the CAO. As part of your CAO application you are given the opportunity to let us know if you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty.
The CAO Handbook provides excellent information on completing your CAO application and the steps involved in disclosing a disability or specific learning difficulty.
You can also apply to DARE if you may not reach the points for your course because of the impact of your disability or specific learning difficulty.
Mature Students
Mature students who apply through the CAO can disclose a disability or specific learning difficulty as part of the CAO application. If you have been offered a place as a mature student and have not applied through the CAO you should contact the Disability Office to register with the service.
It’s a really positive thing to tell us about your disability as this is the first step to receiving a variety of academic supports that will help you reach your full potential while studying at Maynooth University.
For more information on applying to Maynooth University as a mature student please visit the Mature Student Office.
QQI/ FETAC Students
Students with FETAC qualifications who apply through the CAO can disclose a disability or specific learning difficulty as part of the CAO application.
It’s a really positive thing to tell us about your disability as this is the first step to receiving a variety of academic supports that will help you reach your full potential while studying at Maynooth University.
Part-time and International students are also encouraged to register with the Disability Office.
Top Tips for Students
- Make sure you know what documentation is required to register with the Disability Office.
- Check out Undergraduate Studies for advice on course choices and Open Days.
- Visit the campus and ask for a tour; discover the University’s student supports that are available.
- Think about the academic and personal skills you’ll need at college.
- Get in contact with the Disability Office as soon as you are offered your course.
- Put your name down for on campus accommodation if you are moving to Maynooth.
- Visit StudentFinance.ie to make sure you know your entitlements.
- Take a Library Tour, learn to use the Library website and add the Library Moodle space.
- Follow @MU_MAP on Twitter and get linked in with the office’s announcements, competitions & social activities.
- Check out students with similar stories to find out how they got on at university.
- Read the Frequently Asked Questions that we get asked by students considering Maynooth.
- Look at the Maynooth University Campus Life pages and think about what Clubs and Societies you’d like to join
