APPLICANTS REQUIRING EXTRA SUPPORTS
The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third level admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education. DARE offers reduced points places to school-leavers who have experienced additional educational challenges in second level education as a result of having a disability.
The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third level admissions scheme for school-leavers from long-term socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. HEAR has been established by a number of Higher Education Institutions, based on clear evidence that socio-economic disadvantage has a negative impact on educational achievement at school, and progression to higher education.
Before submitting a DARE application you should read the DARE Handbook and discuss this with your parents, guardians or guidance counsellor. As the minimum entry and subject requirements may be different for each course, applicants should check details in this handbook for the requirements of each Maynooth University preference listed on their CAO form.
School-leavers who provide satisfactory evidence relating to their socio-economic circumstances, and who meet the Irish Leaving Certificate matriculation/minimum entry and subject requirements, are eligible to compete for a quota of places allocated to applicants on a reduced points basis. As the minimum entry and subject requirements may be different for each course, applicants should check details in this handbook for the requirements of each preference listed on their CAO form.
Applicants applying for DARE must be under the age of 23 as of 1 January 2022. There are other admissions routes for mature and QQI applicants and further information is available in this handbook and on HEI websites.
How to apply to DARE 1. Apply to CAO by 17:15 on 1 February 2022. DARE applications can only be made online at cao.ie 2. No later than 17:15 on 1 March 2022, disclose your disability and/ or specific learning difficulty in your CAO application and fully and correctly complete Section A of the Supplementary Information Form (SIF). If you wish to be considered for the DARE scheme you must answer yes to question 1 on Section A of the fully completed SIF by 17:15 on 1 March 2022. 3. Download Section B of the SIF (Educational Impact Statement), have it completed by your school and returned to CAO to arrive by 17:15 on 15 March 2022. 4. Submit Section C Evidence of Disability documentation completed by the appropriate professional to CAO to arrive by 17:15 on 15 March 2022. Further details on the acceptable Evidence of Disability documentation is published in the DARE Handbook and on accesscollege.ie/dare Notes: DARE has specific requirements for Section C (Evidence of Disability) in relation to the Medical Consultant/Specialist who must verify your disability, the age limit on reports and the documentation required. DARE will hold a number of Application Advice Clinics nationwide in January 2022 for students, parents and guardians who would like further information on applying to DARE. Details are available on accesscollege.ie/dare Applicants with a physical or sensory disability or applicants who are eligible for both DARE and HEAR (Higher Education Access Route accesscollege.ie/hear) will be prioritised first when making reduced points offers. All other DARE students will be offered places based on merit in accordance with the DARE criteria. 206
Applicants applying for HEAR must be school-leavers (under 23 years old as of 1 January 2022). There are other admissions routes for mature and QQI applicants and further information is available in this handbook and on HEI websites.
How to apply to HEAR 1. Apply online to CAO by 17:15 on 1st February 2022. HEAR applications can only be made online at cao.ie 2. Indicate on your CAO application that you wish to apply for the HEAR scheme (no later than 17:15 on 1st March 2022). Ensure you fully and correctly complete all elements of the HEAR online form (the HEAR form is a part of your online CAO application). 3. Submit relevant evidence in support of your application to arrive at the CAO no later than 17:15 on 15 March 2022. Notes: HEAR will hold a number of Application Advice Clinics nationwide in January 2022 for students, parents and guardians who would like further information on applying to HEAR. Details are available on accesscollege.ie/hear Applicants who are eligible for both HEAR and DARE (Disability Access Route to Education accesscollege.ie/dare) will be prioritised first when making HEAR offers. All other HEAR students will be offered places based on merit in accordance with the above criteria. Students who accept a HEAR offer must attend an orientation programme before the first semester. A variety of academic, personal and social supports for HEAR students are available while studying at the University. Details can be found on maynoothuniversity.ie/hear
