Springboard Eligibility FAQs: Who is eligible for Springboard courses?

Springboard Courses in Ireland

Springboard Eligibility FAQs | Online Courses 2022 | GBS

Posted 13 October

At Galway Business School we provide a selection of comprehensive Springboard courses online. These include:

Who is eligible for Springboard courses? To find out all you need to know about Springboard eligibility we have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions for you to find out if you can enrol on one of our Springboard courses 2022, and plan your next steps.

You can check the official Springboard course guidance pages if you need more information on the courses we offer, what the Springboard Ireland scheme is, and if you are eligible to apply or qualify for the Springboard programme.

On this page: Springboard+ Programme Eligibility FAQS

See also:

Springboard funding FAQs

How to choose which Springboard course is right for you - FAQs

Springboard course applications - FAQs

How the Springboard programme is delivered - FAQs

How do I know if I’m eligible for Springboard funding? 

You are eligible for the Springboard Ireland scheme if you are unemployed, a Returner (previously referred to as a Homemaker), in employment, or formerly self-employed, and you meet the eligibility criteria at the time of course commencement. As a Returner you can apply to all courses if you meet the nationality and visa requirements, along with the residency criteria. If you’re unemployed or formerly self-employed, all of Galway Business School’s Springboard courses online are available to you.

I am an Irish citizen. Do I have to show proof of residency?

Yes, Irish nationals must provide proof of residency. Galway Business School must ensure all applicants satisfy the residency requirements in order to further submit this documentation to HEA.

In order to qualify for Springboard funding, all course participants must be able to prove they have lived in the state for three of the last five years regardless of nationality. This is merely a formality and you can prove this by submitting utility bills, bank statements or payslips or any other official document that would display your residency in the country within the timeframe required.

Springboard Galway programmes are open to suitably qualified applicants who have EU, EEA, UK or Swiss nationality. Additionally, subject to fulfilling all criteria, you can apply if:

  • You have official refugee status (subject to a three-year residency requirements) which can include the time from when you officially submitted your application papers for refugee status. This also includes a family members of a refugee.
  • You have permission to remain in Ireland as a family member of a European Union citizen.
  • You have humanitarian leave to remain in Ireland, or
  • You are not of EU, EEA, UK or Swiss nationality, but who are legally entitled to work full time in Ireland without needing an employment permit (See Stamp 4 question below).

    I’m Irish but I live in the UK. Can I do the course? 

    No. All course participants must be living in Ireland at the time of course commencement. You must meet certain residency requirements and be living in the state to be eligible to do the course.

    SPRINGBOARD HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

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    SPRINGBOARD DIGITAL MARKETING COURSE

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    SPRINGBOARD SALES & MARKETING COURSE

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    I’m a housewife, I took a career break am I eligible and how can I prove my eligibility for a Springboard programme?

    If you are a housewife, you are now considered as a Returner. Returners must meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above, meaning be ordinarily resident in the state for at least three of the five years preceding your entry to the programme.

    You must be able to show that you have been a returner for nine of the last twelve months to be eligible. Applicants should sign a declaration before a Commissioner of Peace to ascertain their status. The form can be downloaded here https://springboardcourses.ie/pdfs/Declaration%20for%20Returners%20(2020).pdf

    As a Returner, you must have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/UK/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding your entry to the programme.

    I have a stamp 4. Can I apply for the Springboard courses?

    Yes, you can, but you must satisfy the required residency status to have been resident in Ireland or in an EU, EEA, UK or Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding entry onto the programme. The period of residency for holders of Stamp 4 is calculated from the date of receipt of the Stamp 4.

    You can read further details about Springboard+ programme eligibility, particularly to do with nationality and residency status here: https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility

    I am on a 1G visa, am I eligible?

    You are not eligible if you hold a Stamp 1G visa, but you can still apply for this course paying the applicable fees at the next academic intake. You can check eligibility criteria here: https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility

    I know I am not eligible for Springboard, but can I still book a course?

    Yes! Even if you don’t have Springboard Plus eligibility, you can still apply for any of the programmes offered by Galway Business School under the Springboard initiative by paying the applicable fees. You'll be very welcome on our programmes if spaces are available at the next academic intake. 

    If you have any different questions, or you’re uncertain in any way, please do get in touch with us. We’re happy to help you. Below you’ll find more FAQs that might answer your questions.

    SPRINGBOARD FUNDED COURSES

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