Around 14,000 third-level students have applied for 'hardship grants' to fund rises in rents.
It comes as the cost of on-campus accommodation in some universities is to increase by as much as 12 percent over the coming years.
The fund for assisting students is worth €14 million a year, and aims to help people who have financial difficulties while in college.
According to the Irish Times, 14,000 people have now applied for the payment.
The average payment in the past couple of years was between €500 and just under €1,000.
Protests were called after UCD made a decision to rise its rents by 12%.
Similar action has taken place at NUIG and UCC where there 3% and 4% rises.
