Foundation Scholarship

The Foundation Scholarship is a prestigious and substantial award offered by Trinity College Dublin to approximately 60 students each year. Students in their Senior Freshman year are eligible to take the Foundation Scholarship examinations, with exceptional circumstances allowing deferment to the following year. The scholarship is awarded based on competitive examinations held annually in January. A Foundation Scholarship is tenured for five years, during which time the Scholar receives comprehensive benefits including free Trinity accommodation, their evening meal free of charge at Commons, a waiver of their tuition fees or student contribution (non-EU students' fees are reduced by the value of EU fees), and a small annual stipend of €253.95. Scholars are also entitled to use the post-nominal letters 'sch.' after their name. The scholarship covers tuition fees including the Registration Fee, provides free Commons dining, free college rooms (except for deposit and utilities fee), and an annual salary. For undergraduate scholars from non-EU countries, fees are reduced by an amount corresponding to the appropriate fee level of an EU fee-paying student. Scholars are entitled to rooms for up to nine months of the year, typically from early October to June, and remain in rooms until after their last exam in June. The examination process involves online application submission, followed by a confirmation of attendance form, and culminates in examinations held in early January. Results are announced on Trinity Monday in April. This scholarship represents one of the most prestigious academic honors available to undergraduate students at Trinity College Dublin.