“I am a second year Engineering student. This year, we picked our stream that we will focus on for the rest of our degrees – I chose biomedical engineering, as I have always had a passion for helping people and I think that this degree will help me do that, while also supporting my passion for STEM subjects. I am really enjoying my time in UCD, both academically and socially. I am very passionate about the subjects I am studying and have formed a really good group of friends in my classmates. I do not think this would be possible without the support this scholarship has given me. 

I availed of the HEAR scheme in order to achieve my place in UCD. My dad left when I was in secondary school, meaning my mum is the sole provider for myself and my three siblings. We have faced a lot of financial struggles and I was terrified I would not be able to afford to come to UCD. I thought that even if I was lucky enough to receive a grant, I would not be able to cover the day to day living costs that come with college life. This scholarship has alleviated so much of the pressure on my family and on me. It has given me the opportunity to engage in all aspects of UCD life. I have joined the social gaelic and camogie teams on campus. 

Thanks to this scholarship, I do not have to worry about working massive long hours during the week to try to cover transport to and from college. I was able to buy everything I needed for my course – we each need a lab coat and lots of materials for our labs and this expense would have put so much pressure on me had I not received this scholarship. I have so much more time to focus on my studies and take part in extracurricular activities. This money has also meant that, when my friends are going for coffee or for lunch, I can join them without feeling panicked about how I will afford to pay for it. This scholarship has allowed me to feel so much more immersed in UCD life. 

I am also now able to help out financially at home. I still work a part time job, but this scholarship means that I can use the money I earn to help my mum with bills. I help out as much as I can and pay for as much of my own expenses as possible. 

Past UCD, I hope to work in the field of biomedical engineering. I am really passionate about and interested in the field of STEM and I am so grateful to be in a position to pursue a career in something I love. I also love helping people and I do a lot of volunteering, so I feel like the field of biomedical engineering perfectly combines those two interests. It is my dream to improve the lives of patients and this scholarship has helped me in my pursuit of this. 

I cannot express how grateful I am. So many of the opportunities I have received are because of this scholarship. It has had a huge impact on my education, both academically and socially. Thank you so much for your support.”