ieExplains: Susi grants — who is eligible and how do I apply?
It is important to know that there are grants and other supports available to students who need them.
The new academic year may be another five months away, but planning has already begun for thousands of students.
One concern that many students will have is about their finances.
With housing difficult to come by, some are paying huge amounts in rent or facing a costly commute every day.
Add in the cost-of-living crisis, and it is understandable that things can get stressful and overwhelming.
It is important to know that there are grants and other supports available to students who need them.
The Student Universal Support Ireland (Susi) grant has opened for applications for the academic year 2024 to 2025.
So, here is everything you need to know about who can avail of these supports and how to go about applying for them.
There are two types available — maintenance grants and fee grants.
are to help students with their living costs and are paid directly into the student's bank account. There are different tiers of maintenance grants — full and part maintenance.
pay the tuition fee for those who do not qualify for the Free Fees Scheme. This grant can also pay student contribution and the cost of field trips that are essential to the course.
There are grants available to students attending PLC, undergraduate, or postgraduate courses.
A number of changes have been made to the Student Grant Scheme in 2024 so if you were not eligible in previous years, it is worth checking your eligibility for the upcoming year.
To qualify for a student grant you must meet all of the criteria of the scheme.
You must be a citizen of Ireland, the UK, an EU or EEA country, or Switzerland; those with refugee status or have leave to remain permission from the Department of Justice.
You must have lived in Ireland, the UK, EU, EEA or the Swiss Federation for three of the last five years.
For the means test, your total reckonable household income must fall below specific income thresholds. Reckonable income is gross income from all sources.
The test for your grant application for the 2024-25 academic year will be based on your's and your family's gross income for the 2023 tax year.
If you are dependent on your parent(s), your income (if any) is assessed in addition to your parents' income(s).
You are considered dependent if you are under the age of 23 on January 1 of the year you first enter further or higher education, or are over the ago of 23 on January 1 of the year you enter or re-enter further or higher education, and you live with your parent(s) or legal guardian.
If you are over 23 and not dependent on your parents, you are an independent student and assessed on your own income, and that of a spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, if applicable.
You must be attending a course that is approved for a student grant. A full list of approved courses can be found here.
In general, you do not get a grant for repeating a year or doing a course at a level that does not progress from your previous studies.
Your course must lead to a higher qualification than any you already hold or be at a higher level than any course you have previously attended.
Second-chance students are eligible for a student grant provided they are over the age of 23, did not complete an earlier course, returning to an approved course following a full three-year break in studies.
A maximum period of grant assistance is available to you at each level of study.
The grant rate you receive depends on your assessed means, the distance you normally live from the college you are attending, and whether you are considered a disadvantaged student.
If you normally live more than 30km from your college, you will receive the non-adjacent rate.
Disadvantaged students, those whose total reckonable income in the last tax year is less than €26,200, can qualify for a special rate of maintenance grant.
Non-adjacent — €7,586
Adjacent — €3,230
Non-adjacent — €4,292
Adjacent — €1,774
Non-adjacent — €3,332
Adjacent — €1,343
Non-adjacent — €2,502
Adjacent — €975
Non-adjacent — €1,666
Adjacent — €612
If you do not already have a Susi account, you must create one at grantsonline.ie. To do this you will need to include your personal details including PPSN.
You do not need to have your Leaving Certificate results or to have accepted a course to apply.
You can supply the details of the course you hope to study and update your course choice online at a later date.
You do not need to complete the application in one sitting.
To fill out your application you will need to provide the following:
- personal details;
- nationality and residency;
- chosen course and previous education;
- dependent children and relevant persons, if applicable;
- household income details;
- details of other parties to your application, if applicable.
Once you have completed your application and submitted it, you can track its progression via your student portal.
If you are considered eligible on initial assessment, you will receive provisional grant approval in the post along with a list of the supporting documents that must be provided.
These documents should be sent as soon as possible in the envelope provided.
Then you will receive a letter informing you whether your application has been awarded or refused. The letter will highlight any further steps required.
If your application has been unsuccessful, you may appeal to Susi using this form within 30 days of receiving your decision.
If this appeal is turned down, you may take a further appeal to the Student Grants Appeals Board. This must be submitted online within 30 days of receiving your letter from the Susi appeals officer.
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