Grant Information

Grant Information

Student Grant Scheme 2012/2013

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  A new ONLINE ONLY grant applications system is being introduced for 2012. All new applications will be made online to a single awarding authority, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) through www.studentfinance.ie.
  
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  There is a video clip on the following website where you can go and look at the various steps of making an application:
  

http://vimeo.com/41277495

When can I make my grant application?

NOW , the Student Grant Scheme is now opened and the SUSI online application system will be available from that date.

How do I make my grant application?

Register online with SUSI and then complete the online application form. The online application facility will be available through www.studentfinance.ie. Remember, it will not be necessary to have received an offer of a college place or to be enrolled in college in order to apply online.

How will I submit my supporting documentation?

Following initial assessment of your application, if eligible, you will receive by post a provisional grant approval and a personalised list of the supporting documents you will need to return to complete your application. Completed documentary evidence packs (photocopies of the documents, not originals) should be returned as soon as possible in the envelope provided to you.

When you return all the necessary supporting documents SUSI will process your application to award stage, subject to confirmation of your acceptance on an approved course.

When will I receive a final decision from SUSI?

When you confirm acceptance of a place on an approved course (usually late August/early September), your grant is awarded and payment will be made on a monthly basis (subject to confirmation of attendance) directly into your designated Irish bank account.

Where can I contact SUSI?

As part of SUSI’s support to students, there is a SUSI Support desk available in the lead up to and following the launch of the online application system for both email and telephone queries. You can email the SUSI Support Desk at supportsusi.cdvec.ie

Or telephone us at 0761 08 7874

The Support Desk is available Office Hours Monday-Friday until the Launch of the Online Application System in May. From the launch date, the SUSI Support Desk will be available from 9.00am-10.00pm (Monday-Friday) and 9.00am-6.00pm (Saturdays)

What if I’m already in receipt of a grant?

Students who are currently in receipt of a student grant and who are progressing to the next year of the same course will continue to be assessed and paid by the existing awarding authorities – i.e. the relevant local authority or Vocational Educational Committee. If you are changing your course or progressing to a new course you will need to apply to SUSI.

Student Grant Scheme

The student grant is the main source of financial help available from the Irish State for students in full-time Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLCs) and full-time higher education undergraduate courses. Support is available to eligible students in most colleges in Ireland as well as eligible Irish students in many colleges in Northern Ireland, the UK and other EU States. Students on part-time courses, access or foundation courses (in higher education institutions) and short courses are not eligible to apply for a student grant.

Family and/or personal income is a key factor that will be assessed when you apply for a student grant but there are also some other conditions. Studentfinance.ie can help you to assess whether you are eligible and guide you in starting the process. If you think you are eligible for the student grant, you should apply for it as soon as possible (the application process for 2012-13 is not yet open). You do not have to wait until you receive an offer of a place or enroll in college. Only when your application has been completed in full and submitted to the grant-awarding authority can your eligibility be determined.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO STUDENT GRANT AS A RESULT OF BUDGET 2012

Three measures were announced in Budget 2012 relating to the student grant schemes:

A: Reduction in overall rates of grant

• A reduction of 3% was applied to the rates of all student grants effective from 1 January 2012

• This reduction applies to all existing grant holders and to new grant holders alike.

B: Fees and Maintenance Grants for new entrants to postgraduate studies

• Students entering new postgraduate courses from the 2012-13 academic year onwards will not be entitled to any maintenance payment under the Student Grant scheme

• However, students on the lowest level of income entering new postgraduate courses from the 2012-13 academic year who qualify for the special rate of grant will be eligible to qualify to have tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit under the Student Grant scheme

• A limited number of other low-income students who would previously have qualified under the standard grant thresholds will qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the costs of their fees. However, there will be a new income threshold for this payment which will be lower than the standard grant threshold. The income threshold for this level of grant is currently being determined in the context of the formulation of the student grant scheme for the 2012-13 year.

C: Student Contribution

• The student contribution is being increased by €250 to €2,250 from the 2012-13 academic year. All undergraduate students covered by the Free Fees scheme who are eligible for means-tested student support will continue to have the student contribution paid on their behalf in addition to receiving any maintenance grant and tuition fee grant to which they are entitled.