I am at my wits end trying to find funding to attend the National University of Ireland, Galway, for the 2007-2008 year. I already have my B.A. in history, and I am planning on getting my master's in Irish Studies at NUIG. Since I am going to be foreign-enrolled (not affiliated with an American University), I have few options to help with funding. Other than stafford loans through the government to cover about half of the tuition, there are no resources that I can find in MN. I am also trying to find a company to sponsor a work visa in Galway so that I can move in early 2007, but not finding any prospects there either. It's tough trying to get these things done when you are a continent away and can't physically do any of this.

Does anyone have advice as to where I might find scholarships, grants, etc. to help with tuition?

How about finding a company to sponsor my work visa?

To get into the country, I need proof of financing to cover the whole year of living expenses, which is actually more than tuition for the year. I don't have that money on hand either. I am planning on selling my car, most of my belongings, and cashing in my IRA to help pay for the relocation, but that is not going to come close to meeting my funding needs.

Any help pointing me in the direction of assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Sláinte!
Beth.rua

I just heard that there is no central system for finding jobs in the history field in Ireland--does anyone know if this is true?

It's a small country Bethrua.

It may be no harm to remember gur 'minic an cú mall sona' - the slow hound is often happy. i.e. While it's admirable that you are about to uproot, it may be no harm to pause and see if one can obtain some funding, even if it means losing a year to do so. Team up with a college over there or what ever it takes.

I wouldn't like to see you go sour at a time that you ought to be enjoying the adventure that you're now planning on.

Go n-éirí sin leat.

I am actually planning on waiting a year for school (07-08 year), and will move earlier if I can find a job and funding for school. It would not work to just enroll in a college in the US and then study in Ireland because the tuition works differently and the program/degree would not transfer evenly. I'm not going sour, I was just hoping that someone reading this discussion would have advice as to where I can look--perhaps someone who has gone this route for their education or they know someone who might have good information for an American in my position. Any ideas would help.

Beth.rua

>> I'm not going sour, ...

I'm sure you're not. My fear was that in about 2 years time having spent a lot of your own hard-earned cash to come here get stuck into your course, whilst others on the other hand could come and relax and enjoy the process on tax-payers loot, one could become sour.

What ever happens, you're searching for the way forward and where there's a will there's a way.

Go n-éirí sin leat a Bheth Rua.

Seosamh, there's no need to say this. I'm sure Bethrua has allready considered the financial circumstances, just like me. :-)

Bethrua, is it a taught MA you want to do? I read on their website that they offer fellowship awards to M.Litt and PhD students, but taught MA's.

Otherwise you can contact the Admissions Office, unless you haven't allready. I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

I have talked to the Admissions office, to no avail. I have been trying to find an education loan (other than Stafford) in the U.S., but none of them that I have found will transfer the money to the NUIG, as it does not participate in their loan exchange program. Does anyone have experience getting a loan?

I can't help you on that one a Bheth na Ruaidhe but putting you up with this post to the top of the pile may attract some attention to your question.

Go n-éirí an iarracht leat.

Maybe this is a possibility:-
http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/scholarships.html

They offer 12 scholarships every year for Americans to study for a year in Ireland (including accomodation and living expenses).