Even before you start adding the “registration” fee to your budget for the year, it’s pretty obvious that free education isn’t exactly free.

The bad news: Dublin is one of the most expensive places in Europe to be a student. Rents have continued to climb over the last few years and travel expenses are creeping up too. The breakdown of our extremely accurate scientifically designed perfect college monthly budget (of course, it won’t match perfectly with yours) looks like:

The total without transport comes in at €1179- 1320 (see above for transport fees) if you’re living away from home, but it’s a bit less if you’re still living with the folks. You’ll need to sit down with said folks (if you haven’t already) to figure out how much you need week to week and how many hours you can work without destroying either your social life or your academic career. That said, it’s important to remember that part-time work is not as easy to come across as in past years, and that you may be looking for a while.

Here are some quick tips to save money:

• Cook with friends on a rotation
• Use your student discount
• Open a student bank account for student-friendly offers
• Bring a set amount of money on nights out
• Use Trinity FLAC (Free Legal Advice Clinic) for free advice if you run into trouble with your landlord. Visit www.trinityflac.ie for more information. 
• Freeze or refrigerate food for later in the week
• Bring your own lunch
• If you bring your own tea bags you can get hot water for 40c in the Arts Block
• Go to society events
• Get a student leap card, available at the SU shop in front square, to save on transport
• Try a cheaper phone network with a pay-as-you-go option
• Use the SU shop deal of the week and ents card deals

It’s no secret that college is expensive, if you are experiencing financial difficulty check out the below resources. Reach out to the welfare officer if you're stuck. 

SU SERVICES

Short-term, interest-free Welfare Loan of up to €100.

Childcare Assistance Fund.

SU Placement Bursary.

For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit https://www.tcdsu.org/welfare.

HIGHER EDUCATION GRANT

You can apply for this grant online at www.grantsonline.ie. Check susi.ie or studentfinance.ie for eligibility information. Although the priority deadline was July 9th, applications are still being accepted until November.

STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND/STUDENT HARDSHIP FUND

These funds are set aside for students in financial need. Allowances are allocated on a case-by-case basis. TAP/HEAR students should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Non-TAP/HEAR students should contact their tutor or the Undergraduate Student Support Officer Helen Richardson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

BENEFACTIONS

There are a number of Benefactions/Bursaries/Prizes which you may be eligible to apply for. A list of these along with the criteria you must meet in order to apply can be found on https://www.tcd.ie/seniortutor/.