It is important to plan your spending carefully while you are in college.
A helpful website for helping you manage your money is www.mabs.ie, where you can download their weekly spending diary. Try your best to keep track of your spending; your habits are bound to change when you see your week’s expenditure add up!
Student Finance
Both www.susi.ie and www.studentfinance.ie provide information on what funding is available, who is eligible for a grant and how to apply. The Student Grant section of www.studentfinance.ie is the most comprehensive source of information on the available schemes that you will find anywhere in Ireland. It provides a handy step-by-step guide to eligibility in clear, plain English.
The Student Grant is the main source of financial assistance and anyone who is thinking of embarking on further study should investigate whether they are eligible.
Students who live (your home house, not your student house) within 45km of Mary I receive the adjacent grant. The non- adjacent rate applies to everyone else.
Managing your Monies
Budgeting tips:
· Look out for student discounts! Your student card (and cards such as the student leap card) gives you access to some great deals in stores and online.
· Shop around for best value.
· Don’t be a brand snob!
· Cook in bulk, freeze, then microwave. If there are 4 of you in a house it might be an idea that one person picks a specific day to cook.
· Get a club card.
· Bring your lunch to college.
With the other stuff:
· An Siopa (Limerick) will provide you with all of your stationery needs at student-friendly prices.
· www.software4students.ie has a range of IT related products at discounted prices.
Stuff to Remember
You should budget your money around the times your grant comes through although you can expect delays at the best of times. If you are concerned about your grant or have any major issues please contact the MIC Grants Office on 061-204909 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
MISU have a Food, Toiletries and Stationery Hub that is a support available for all students. If you are short of groceries or college supplies, drop in to the office and have a chat with a member of staff. You can get assistance instantly!
If you are under severe financial hardship while in college, we encourage you to make contact with the Sabbats in the SU or Maura Moore (Access & Disability Officer) on the Limerick Campus or Paula Hourigan (Senior Academic Administrator) on the Thurles Campus. We cannot perform miracles but it doesn’t mean we won’t try.
You can contact Maura on 061-204927 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and you can contact Paula on 0504 20535 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.