It Can Be You

It can be you – your path to a third level education

College Connect is about working with people who are trying to get to college and realise their dreams of getting a college education. We know that for some people there are loads of different obstacles and challenges they have to overcome before they can even start thinking about college. You might be asking, how can I overcome these obstacles?

That’s why we’re here!

Nowadays, there are many other routes to get into college aside from the Leaving Cert. There are lots of funding opportunities too.

College Connect are working with students from underrepresented communities who are already in colleges and who have managed to overcome those obstacles.

Students from across the community including:

Irish Travellers
Lone parents and students from One-parent families
Young people who have been in care of the state
People with disabilities
Ethnic Minorities (including programme refugees)
People from lower socio-economic groups
First time Mature students
Further Education award holders
People experiencing homelessness

College Connect would like to support you do the same. Colleges are very different places now and they thrive on diversity – be a part of the College Connect community and you’ll soon realise too IT CAN BE YOU.

How to get started

Step 1: get inspired

The journey to and through Higher Education is unique for everyone. Everyone starts their journey at different stages of their life. This gives us all the opportunity to write our own story, and to share our own experiences.

We know that going to college is a challenge, however, there are as many different routes as there are different people. It doesn’t matter what your background is or where you come from, there is a route for you.

We are working with students from underrepresented communities who are already in college – see their stories in our series of short videos.

Step 2: explore the routes to college

There are lots of different routes to and through college: not everyone has to enter college in the traditional way by completing the Leaving Cert. If you are considering a college education, we have clear cut directions on alternative routes to college.

Step 3: start thinking about funding

There are a number of different ways you can get support with the costs of going to college. We have information about the many Grants and Funding supports for college that may be available to you, and about how to start budgeting for third level.

Step 4: learn about the supports available

There are a lot of supports available all the way through college and lots of friendly people to advise you and point you in the right direction like guidance counsellors, academic support, budgeting advisors and health and wellbeing supports. Every college has an access office and once you get there, they will support you throughout your journey through college.

Read about the supports available for third level students.

Step 5: find the right course for you

Each college has a prospectus page, that you can use to research the right course for you:

The Access office is a very helpful college resource and it is advisable to link in with them first in the college you are planning on going to. They are equipped with all the information you need along with direct links to guidance counsellors and other necessary advisers to help you research the course you are interested in.

Find the details and contact information for AIT, DCU, DkIT or MU access offices.

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