13 Apr Students urged to apply for SUSI grants 

Applications are now open for the academic year 2023/2024

Mayo Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon has today urged students to apply for third level college grants through the SUSI system.

Deputy Dillon said: “Students who were unable to reach the thresholds previously could now be eligible given a number of changes were introduced to the student grant scheme for the upcoming higher education and third level grant scheme.”

These changes, introduced in Budget 2023, are as follows:

• Increase in income limit from €55,240 to €62,000 for the 50% student contribution grant.
• New student contribution grant of €500 for incomes between €62,000 and €100,000.
• Increase in the postgraduate fee contribution grant by €500 from €3,500 to €4,000.
• Eligibility for second chance mature students to be reduced from five to three years.
• Exclusion of rental income earned under Rent-a Room Relief Scheme from reckonable income.
• Increase in the amount of Holiday Earnings which may be deducted from the total household income from €4,500 to €6,552.

The Mayo TD said students should take note of two key dates for SUSI applications. “The priority closing date for renewal applications is June 8th, 2023 while the priority closing date for new applications is July 6th, 2023.

Students can contact SUSI’s Support Desk directly via email: support@susi.ie, phone 0818 888 777 or social media.

Deputy Dillon added: “I am conscious there are families that may not have qualified for SUSI grants previously who could qualify this year due to changes introduced in Budget 2023. A high number of applications are expected over the coming months so I am urging students and their families to start the application process as soon as possible.

‘SUSI grants are designed to help students and their families with the cost of starting or returning to college. Student supports and how we help families will be a priority for me going forward,” he said.