Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
335. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the eligibility rules for SUSI grant support for students undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate study in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4625/26]
View answerIn relation to supports available for students studying outside of the State, the Student Grant Scheme provides maintenance grants to eligible students pursuing approved courses in other EU Member States and the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland.
The Student Grant Scheme does not extend to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State, other than for exceptional provision in respect of the four postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland:
• Queen University Belfast.
• University of Ulster.
• St Mary’s College of Education Belfast.
• Stranmillis College Belfast.
The decision on eligibility for student grant applications is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). It provides grant assistance to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
An Eligibility Indicator is provided by SUSI to assist in deciding if one should apply for a student grant. An Eligibility Indicator on SUSI's website www.susi.ie provides an approximate indication of the possible eligibility for grant funding based on the information that is provided in response to the questions asked. SUSI is expected to open for new applications in April 2026 and the eligibility calculator for the 26/27 academic year will be available at that point.
In addition to this, information on SUSI supports for students studying outside the state in 25/26, including students undertaking courses in Northern Ireland, can be found here: www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/outside-the-state-income-thresholds-and-grant-award-rates/
Information for 26/27 will be updated in due course.
Irish students studying at approved courses in approved Higher Education Institutions in the UK may be eligible for tax relief at the standard rate of tax, and more information on this relief may be obtained through the student's local Revenue office.
