Free Fees Eligibility 

Criteria for Determining Eligibility

Exchequer Payment in respect of FT Undergraduate Fees: Criteria for Determining Eligibility:   (Government definition):

Tuition fees will be paid in respect of EU nationals who have been ordinarily resident in an EU Member State for at least three of the five years immediately preceding their entry to their third-level course, subject to the following conditions: 

(a)      Tuition fees will be paid only in respect of students attending full-time undergraduate courses.  Existing regulations for
          ESF aided courses will continue to apply.

(b)      The courses must be of a minimum of two years duration.

(c)      Tuition fees will not be paid in respect of students pursuing a second undergraduate course.  However,   
          notwithstanding this condition students who already hold a National Certificate or Diploma and are progressing to a     
          degree course without necessarily having received an exemption from the normal duration of the course may be deemed
          eligible for free fees.

          Students who have previously pursued but not completed a course which has not attracted any exchequer
          funding may be deemed eligible for free fees subject to compliance with the other conditions of the free fees initiative.

          Students who have pursued a course of third-level study which has attracted exchequer funding (e.g. fees, maintenance,
          tax relief, subsidy towards course cost) and who have not secured a terminal qualification and subsequently resume
          third-level studies are not eligible for free fees for the equivalent period of time spent on the first course of study.  Part-
          time and Evening students are included in this category. 

(d)      Except in the case of second chance students (see (e) below), tuition fees will not be paid in respect of students
          doing repeat years or in respect of students repeating a year-level having changed (but not completed) their
          undergraduate course. This condition may be waived in exceptional circumstances such as cases of certified serious
          illness. 

(e)      Tuition fees will be paid in respect of students who, having attended, but not completed, approved courses, and who did
          not obtain a qualification, are returning following a break of at least five years in order to pursue approved courses at the
          same level in the 2011/12 academic year.

(f)       The tuition fees payable do not include the payment of the Student Contribution Charge and the Student Levy 
          towards the cost of registration, examinations, student services and student levies.

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