Springboard+ Courses 2021/22

Eligibility for Springboard Funded Places

Documentation Needed

​You must also include one of the following with your application:

• A scanned copy of a recent payslip if employed showing your name & PPSN [remuneration details etc. can be redacted] OR a brief, current letter from employer confirming employment;
• A scanned copy of a recent payment slip if in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance/ Benefit
• A copy of a recent Bank Statement showing receipt of a different eligible Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection payment
• A letter from your accountant confirming that you are self-employed
• A Declaration Form - available at https://springboardcourses.ie/pdfs/Declaration%20for%20Returners%20(2021-22).pdf -  signed by you and the appropriate third-party confirming that you are a returning to the workplace ( for e.g. after stepping away from formal employment to take on caring responsibilities.

You must ALSO include:

• An image of your EU Passport, or an image of your non-EU Passport with a copy of your Stamp 4 Visa [ ]
• A copy of your Curriculum Vitae

Residency Documentation 

Employed applicants need to upload documentation proving that they have been resident in the EU for 3 out of last 5 years. The most straightforward of doing of showing that you meet the three-year EU/EEA/Swiss/UK residency requirements is through the applicant’s utility bills such as Phone, Gas, or Electricity. P60 for years up to 2018 or Employment Detail Summary (P21) from 2019 onwards or other relevant tax documentation will confirm this.

• A list of acceptable documentation required from 2021 onwards can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/e2fab-requesting-proof-of-residence/
• A P21 can be requested at https://www.revenue.ie/en/online-services/services/common/request-or-view-your-statement-of-liability.aspx

Unemployed applicants do not need to upload further documents here as your DSP payment establishes eligibility.
Returner applicants do not need to upload further documents here as this is stated in the sworn declaration.

You will upload the documents to the Springboard website as part of the application process. Where you wish to have multiple documents considered you will need to merge them into a single file. No offers of Springboard places can or will be made without the documentaion in place.

Pandemic Payments and Springboard

Applicants who were in receipt of the Covid-19 PUP at the time of their application will be able to retain this payment as they pursue their Springboard+ part time course. As with other DEASP payments you should ensure that documentation is retained to prove that the applicant is in receipt of the payment which they have stated as part of the application process.

Multiple Courses

• Participants may not enroll in more than three courses in any five-year period. They may re-engage with the Springboard+ programme after a break period of two years. This criteria will be strictly enforced.
• Participants who enrolled in more than one Springboard+ course since the inception of Springboard in 2011, and did not complete any course, are not eligible to apply. This criteria applies to all categories of applicant outlined below.
• Participants who enrolled in just one course, since the inception of Springboard+ in 2011, but did not complete, are eligible to apply.
• All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined below and any additional requirements as outlined by the course provider.
   

Recent Graduates

One-year full-time and two-year part-time ICT Skills Conversion courses are open to recent graduates. However, to participate in a NFQ Level 9 (Post Graduate) course, a period of at least one year must have elapsed since completing a full time undergraduate degree course leading to a major award at level 8 on the NFQ.

There is no one-year 'cooling off period' for courses funded under the Human Capital Initiative - such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Finance and Business Analytics.

2019 graduates who have been in receipt of a social welfare payment and who are eligible to move onto the BTEA and retain their benefit, do not to pay 10% of the course fee.

2020 graduates will not be eligible to retain their benefit to do a full-time course if they have not been on the payment for 9 out of the previous 12 months. These applicants have to pay 10% of the course fee and would not be able to retain any benefit for the duration of the course.

More Information

The Higher Education Authority (HEA), who run the national Springboard+ initiative, has comprehensive eligibility information at https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility which covers all individuals' circumstances. These pages include a useful eligibility reckoner app, an informative FAQ section, and contact details for the Springboard Freephone Helpline staffed by adult education guidance experts.

Springboard & Part-time Open Evening Slides

WIT Springboard Prospectus 2021

 

 

                         

Documentation Needed

Images of all of your academic certificates and transcripts. [ simply take a photo of the documents with your phone ]

These will demonstrate that your either (1) meet the academic entry requirements, or (2) they will support an application made on a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) basis.

You will upload the documents to the Springboard website as part of the application process. Where you wish to have multiple documents considered you will need to merge them into a single file.

No offers of Springboard places can or will be made without the documentaion in place.

Academic Entry Requirements 

Academic eligibility criteria for SETU Waterford Springboard+ courses are set out on each course page.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Where candidates do not currrently meet the formal academic entry requirements (set out on each course information page) they may be able to advance their application using the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism. RPL allows candidates to make a case that they do meet entry requirements through a combination of formal certified learning and learning through experience (most typically work experience). RPL applications must be made by filling out (please type) the Springboard RPL form and submitting it along with supporting documents such as academic certificates and transcripts etc.

Download SETU Waterford Springboard RPL Form

English Language Competency

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit documentary evidence of competency in English. Please see Click Here for WIT’s English Language Requirements.

                         

Open Evening

Email Us

Email the Springboard Team at [email protected]

Springboard: Lorraine Quirke 

ICTSkills Conversion: Joan Mangan