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The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) is seeking donations for its Education and Training Bursary Fund to ensure that it can meet the demand to help third-level students into universities and colleges.
Grants of between €1,000 and €3,000 from this fund can provide a lifeline for students who are struggling to ensure that they have the funds for books, materials, travel, course fees and all the other expenses which can push learning out of their reach. Last year, SVP received over 4,000 requests for help with third-level costs.
The SVP Education and Training Bursary Fund was established to support students of all ages who may financially struggle to access or stay in third-level education and training programmes.
The Bursary Programme will consider all recognised third-level education and training programmes for funding. However, postgraduate studies (Master or PhD) or private colleges are not eligible.
SVP national president Rose McGowan says, “With Leaving Certificate exams in full swing, most students will be turning their attention to moving on to college or university. For most, the transition will go smoothly. But for others, the financial burden will mean that their future is being decided not by their ability or success in school but by poverty and hardship. We believe that education is a key element in breaking the cycle of poverty.” This view was confirmed in a recent OECD report, which said, “In many cases, students from lower-income families face significant barriers which can restrict their educational opportunities and outcomes. Education is an asset not only because of its intrinsic value, but it also provides individuals with skills and qualifications”.
Rose McGowan says that the responses from students who have availed of grants are testimony to its success. She said that one recipient recently wrote,” In 2019, I began studying engineering. I was also working to give me the ability to pay for all the extras required. Then, in the summer of 2021, during the pandemic, I lost my job. I didn’t have the funding to keep myself going, and it seemed that I would not finish my engineering degree. The stress on me and my family is something I will never forget. Finding the SVP Education Bursary was a last-ditch attempt at getting some help. The financial aid I received gave me the opportunity to finish my engineering degree. They saw me, they listened, and they helped. When I achieved my degree in Mechanical Engineering, I obtained work with one of the largest management engineering and construction management companies in the world. I then went on to achieve a Masters in Notre Dame in the US. I returned to Ireland recently and have now obtained a position as a Senior Business Analyst. It’s amazing what can happen when someone is given a chance, and that is exactly what the SVP Educational Bursary did for me.”
Another recipient said, ‘I am writing to express my deep gratitude for the support I received through the SVP Education Bursary, which played a pivotal role in my academic journey and personal development. Initially, I had the support of my parents, both of whom had stable jobs. However, during my second year, everything changed. The company my parents worked for went into liquidation, and overnight, the financial stability that had supported our family vanished. This sudden change left me in a difficult and uncertain position—one where the continuation of my education was seriously at risk. It was at this critical juncture that the SVP Education Bursary became a lifeline. Without it, the chances of completing my degree would have been slim. The bursary not only offered financial relief but also sent a powerful message: that someone believed in me and in my potential. This vote of confidence became a source of motivation, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in my journey. I continued with my studies while working full-time, a balance that required significant discipline and sacrifice. There were challenges- and moments of doubt - but having the bursary eased some of the pressures and allowed me to focus fully on my education. It also helped reduce the financial stress on my family during a time when we were all trying to adjust to new and difficult realities.
Rose McGowan said that the impact of struggling to achieve third-level success is not just on the students but on their families as well. One recipient of a grant from SVP describes her mother’s reaction: “Mam was thrilled. She never had an education. If you have lived around poverty all your life, it’s a gift to see your child on the path out of it.”
Individual donations to the SVP Education and Training Bursary Fund can be made at: www.svp.ie/svp-education-appeal/
Company donations to provide grants in specific areas, courses, colleges, or universities are welcome. The corporate donations to date have been in the region of €3,000 per grant.
If you or your company would like to make a donation to the SVP Education and Training Bursary Fund, it can be made at www.svp.ie/svp-education-appeal/ or by contacting fundraising@svp.ie
