My child is planning to request financial assistance from Susi for the academic year of 2024/25. Despite his application being turned down previously, I am aware that the qualifying conditions for grants have recently been expanded, particularly in relation to total family earnings. Could you possibly clarify the process?
Susi, also known as Student Universal Support Ireland, offers financial support grants to students enrolled in PLC courses as well as those on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
To secure financial support from Susi, a student is required to fulfil certain criteria. It appears what would be of significant consideration in your case are the rules pertaining to total family income, which needs to be within certain stipulated limits.
The estimation of income for the purpose of grant evaluation is contingent on the student’s classification as a dependent student, mature dependent student or an independent student.
A student who is is younger than 23 years old as of January 1st in the year they first enrol into higher or further education falls under the category of a dependent student.
On the contrary, a student who exceeds the age of 23 on January 1st in the year of their initial entry or re-entry into higher or further education, and lives with their parents or legal guardians, is known as a mature dependent student.
In the case of dependent or mature dependent students, the total income of the student combined with their parent(s)/legal guardian(s) is accounted for when determining the income for financial assistance request.
In the event of a student who have reached the age of 23 by January 1st and lives alone as of October of the previous year, they are recognised as an independent student. In such cases, the student’s income as well as the earnings of their spouse, civil partner or cohabitee is considered in the income computations.
For the upcoming academic year of 2024/25, the assessment of applications will depend on the gross earnings from all sources through the calendar year of 2023 leading from January 1st to December 31st. This includes all revenues before deductions such as income tax or PRSI, and involves income from employment, social welfare benefits or self-employment. These need to be reported in the application form.
However, certain payouts like child allowance and carer’s benefits are not incorporated in the income computations. Susi is also permitted to deduct up to €7,925 from employment earnings obtained outside university term within the preceding year by a candidate who was studying. As “holiday earnings”, it should be indicated in the application form because it could help to achieve a more favourable grant amount.
Grants are being offered to bachelor’s degree students from households earning less than €100,000. These income boundaries are flexible with regards to the count of dependants and can be modified if more household members are engaged in full-time further or higher education.
Susi is currently welcoming applications for the 2024/25 academic year. Applications are accepted online, and potential applicants are advised to use the eligibility indicator on the Susi’s official website to see if they qualify for these funds.