Springboard+ Courses 2020

Eligibility for Springboard Funded Places

Documentation Needed

An image of your EU Passport, or an image of your non-EU Passport with a copy of your Stamp 4 Visa [ simply take a photo of the documents with your phone ]

A copy of your Curriculum Vitae

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

• A scanned copy of a recent payslip if employed showing your PPSN
• 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
• An affidavit 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 will upload the documents to the Springboard website as part of the application process.

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

Residency Rules 

In order to participate on a Springboard+ course you must meet the eligibility requirements and that you are normally resident in the state at the time of course commencement and also hold a valid PPSN.

Applicants who are employed will need to meet the residency requirements, i.e. that the applicant has been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to the programme.

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.

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.