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Section 4.5: Young Parents

This section is for an applicant who:

• has become a young parent while in secondary school education
• is receiving child benefit payment for the year 2026
• is under the age of 23 as of 1 January 2027.

The HEAR scheme recognises the impact having a child has on your own educational pathway.

Remember, you must also meet the low-income criterion (Criterion 1). See Section 6 (pages 26–28) for the household income documents you need to submit with your application.

Completing the online application form

Only the applicant should fill out this section

This section is relevant only to the applicant. It is not for the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the applicant who may themselves have been young parents.

If you are eligible under this category, you can compete for HEAR reduced points places in participating colleges. You can also avail of supports once you start college. These include:

• orientation
• mentoring
• additional resources.

What do I need to provide by post?

• Young parents need to fill in Part 1 of a Young Parent Request for Information Form.
• A Department of Social Protection Official must complete Part 2 of this form.

You can get a copy of the Young Parent Request for Information Form at www.accesscollege.ie/ hear-supportingdocuments

Remember to send HEAR a copy of your completed form and keep the original. Applicants who wish to be considered young parents and provide the necessary documentation as outlined above will meet the HEAR Priority criterion and receive a score of 7.