A government grant will allow NCI to provide eligible students with a laptop loan to assist them in completing their chosen course.

laptop on a desk

As part of the package of COVID supports for higher and further education institutions, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has allocated funding for a once-off COVID-19 grant to support disadvantaged students in the higher education sector in accessing ICT devices. The Grant covers both incoming first year and returning students.

This, cash limited, grant will allow NCI to provide eligible students with a laptop loan to assist them in completing their chosen course.

Applications

Applications for the laptop loan scheme are now closed for the 2023/24 academic year as we have reached maximum capacity.

We will provide updates on this page should more laptops become available and applications re-open.

Eligibility

As per Department of Education guidelines, eligibility will be on a needs basis, prioritised as appropriate by the College. The College require appropriate documentation to prioritise applications, including proof of the student’s/parent’s income, as appropriate, and receipts for costs such as rent, bills or childcare. In all cases, the College must be satisfied that a student who receives a device under this grant has demonstrated a verifiable need for such a device e.g. they or their family do not have the means to purchase such a device themselves.

Unfortunately, under this HEA scheme International, non-EU fee paying students are not eligible to apply for this grant.

NCI is required to allocate laptops on the basis of target groups:

  • Students disadvantaged by socio-economic barriers
  • First time mature students
  • Students with disabilities
  • Part-time/flexible learning students
  • Students who hold further education qualifications
  • Students who are members of the Traveller and Roma communities
  • Lone parents Members of ethnic minorities

Eligibility will be assessed on a needs basis and students must demonstrate a verifiable need for the device. Students will have to submit evidence to NCI in order to prove eligibility. Examples of appropriate evidence can be found in the FAQs below.

NCI administers the Laptop Loan Scheme to NCI students only. If you attend another college, you should check directly with your own student services.

What is the purpose of this Scheme?

As part of the package of COVID supports for higher and further education institutions approved by Government on 22 July 2020, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has allocated capital funding for a once-off COVID-19 grant to support disadvantaged students in the higher education sector in accessing ICT devices.

What does ICT devices mean in this circumstance?

National College of Ireland (NCI) will loan eligible students a laptop to assist them in completing their chosen course.

Who is eligible to apply for a laptop loan?

The grant is being provided to support disadvantaged students in higher education institutions in accessing laptops. Full-time and part-time students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) are eligible to be loaned a device under this grant. The grant covers both incoming first year students and returning students. 

Each qualified institution will administer their own Student Laptop Fund. The NCI fund is for NCI students only.

What constitutes a disadvantaged student?

NCI is required to allocate laptops on the basis of target groups identified in the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015 – 2021;

  • Students disadvantaged by socio-economic barriers
  • First time mature students
  • Students with disabilities
  • Part-time/flexible learning students
  • Students who hold further education qualifications
  • Students who are members of the Traveller and Roma communities

The grant also applies to.

  • Lone parents
  • Members of ethnic minorities

I qualify in one of the categories above, is there other criteria I must meet?

Eligibility will be assessed on a needs basis; NCI must be satisfied that a student who is loaned a laptop has demonstrated a verifiable need for the device. Students will have to submit evidence to NCI in order to make a decision on eligibility for example a student who entered the College through the HEAR scheme must provide written confirmation from HEAR that they are eligible under HEAR.

Students at a status of “pre-registered”, “place accepted through the CAO” or “registered” on the College student information system may apply. Applications will be assessed on this basis; however, laptops will only be given to the student once they are at a status of registered.

What type of supporting documentation should I submit to assist my application?

DARE Students
  • A letter/email from DARE confirming your acceptance onto the scheme
  • Evidence from SUSI confirming that you are in receipt of the "maintenance portion" of the SUSI grant.
HEAR Students

A letter/email from HEAR confirming your acceptance onto the scheme 

Student registered with the NCI Learning & Disability Support service

A letter/email from the NCI Learning & Disability Support service that you are registered with the service and do not require a specific laptop. Along with one of the following:

  • Evidence from SUSI confirming that you are in receipt of the "maintenance portion" of the SUSI grant.
  • Evidence from the "DEASP payment" or "Financial Emergency" sections below
Students in receipt of maintenance grant from SUSI
  • Evidence from SUSI confirming that you are in receipt of the "maintenance portion" of the SUSI grant.
Students in receipt of DEASP payment Evidence that you have been in receipt of an eligible Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) payment within the previous 12 months. Eligible payments are:
  • Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
  • Jobseekers Benefit 
  • Jobseekers Allowance 
  • One Parent Family 
  • Disability Allowance 
  • Qualified Adults of Working Age 
  • Carers Allowance 
  • Farm Assist/Fish Assist 
  • Widow’s Widower’s of Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory or Non-contributory Pension 
  • Blind Pension 
  • Deserted Wives Allowance

Students in Financial Emergency 

Evidence that you are in a state of financial difficulty. Which should include any/all of the following:

  • Last three months bank statement from all bank/Revolut/Credit Union accounts
  • Payslips from employer / Evidence of unemployment
  • 2021 Statement of Liability (P21)
  • Rent or mortgage receipt
  • Bills (household bills or any other bills you think are relevant)
  • Loan documents

Students who are living with their parents and under 23 (dependent) will need to provide the below in their parent's name and their own. Students who are over 23 (independent) can submit their own.

*the above is not exhaustive if you have other circumstances that would deem you eligible for this grant you may submit evidence to support this.

Please note: If you have your original letter/email from SUSI confirming you are eligible for a maintenance grant, that is acceptable in this instance.

How do I submit my supporting documentation?

Supporting documentation must be emailed to laptopfund@ncirl.ie stating your student number and “laptop scheme” in the subject line. 

Who owns the laptop?

The laptop remains the property of NCI.

What happens if I discontinue or defer my studies?

The laptop must be returned to NCI by you, in this instance.

Do I have to return the laptop at the end of my studies?

Yes, you are required to return your laptop at the end of your studies. NCI will keep a record of who the equipment has been lent to and duration of their course in order to monitor when laptops are due back.

Who is not eligible to apply?

International, non-EU fee paying students would not be eligible to apply for this grant.

I need specific equipment due to my disability can I apply?

If you require a certain laptop specification due to your disability an application for a laptop can be made on your behalf under the Fund for Students with  Disabilities (FSD).

Can I still make an application to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) if I apply for this?

Yes. NCI will be operating this scheme separately to the SAF to ensure laptops are available as early in the semester as possible.

For more information on the SAF, visit our Student Assistance Fund page.

How will I receive the laptop?

If you are deemed eligible for a laptop you will be contacted via your student email. You will have to attend on campus to collect the laptop at a pre-arranged time and date.

Laptops will not be couriered under any circumstances and you will be required on-site to fill out forms. 

If the laptop breaks what do I do?

If an issue arises with your laptop you can log a ticket with Student Support Hub (this ticket can be logged via your mobile device if your laptop is broken).

If there is an issue with the laptop that’s covered under warranty a replacement may be available, however you may be with your device for a period while a replacement is sought. NCI will not be in a position to provide loan laptops during this time.

If your laptop is beyond repair and not under warranty a replacement laptop will not be provided, and you will be responsible for finding a suitable replacement.

The student is responsible for ensuring all data is appropriately backed up.

What software will be on the laptop?

Windows 10 and antivirus software will be installed as standard. No other software or hardware (such as mouse or keyboard) will be provided with the laptop.

Will I be able to download software that I need?

Yes. The student will be given administration access to the laptop and can download further educational software as necessary. However, students will have to sign a disclaimer when receiving their laptop that it will be used in accordance with College policy. 

Can my supporting documentation be submitted after the closing date?

No. Supporting documentation must be submitted within the opening and closing dates. If they are received after the closing date has past i.e. after midnight on the date of closure they will not be added to your submission and this may affect the outcome of your application.

What spec will the laptop be?

  • Intel Core i5 processor
  • 16GB RAM
  • 256 SSD Hard Drive