Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
1504. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No.1132 of 24 February 2026, to provide further information regarding a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39446/26]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for student grant applications is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).
Under Articles 15(6) and (7) of the Student Grant Scheme 2025, a student must be moving from year to year within a course having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course. A grant will not be paid to a student for a repeat period of study on the same course, or for a different course at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. However, once an equivalent period of study has been completed on the new course, the student may be eligible for student grant assistance for the remainder of the course.
An official from my Department has advised that documents submitted by the applicant confirmed that they previously attended and did not complete a course at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in the 2024/25 academic year, and that their official withdrawal date from that course was 8 January 2025.
As the applicant is currently pursuing a different NFQ Level 8 course in the current academic year, it was determined that they would not be eligible for grant funding until they had completed an equivalent repeat period of study of five months. They are eligible for funding from February 2026 onwards.
The applicant was awarded a four-month proportion of the Full Non-Adjacent Standard Band 1 Rate of Maintenance Grant, together with 100% Student Contribution/Tuition Fees, whichever applies, and was advised of this by letter on 7 August 2025.
As previously advised by letter dated 28 April 2026, if the applicant can provide documentary evidence from the college that they attended previously, that they withdrew from their previous course in December 2024 rather than January 2025, they should request a review of their application through their SUSI student portal. If it is confirmed that their official withdrawal date was in December 2024, then SUSI may be able to award student grant funding in respect of January 2026.
The applicant requested an appeal on 9 March 2026, but this was refused as it was received beyond the limit of 60 days outside of their decision letter.
An internal review of the student grant application was carried out by the awarding authority, SUSI. An official withdrawal date of 8 January 2025 for their previous year of study was confirmed by their college on 11 March 2026. The applicant was advised by letter dated 12 March 2026 that there was no change to the original decision.
The award of a four-month proportion of the Full Non-Adjacent Standard Band 1 Rate of Maintenance Grant, together with 100% Student Contribution/Tuition Fees, whichever applies, remains in place.
Additionally, under Article 15(8), the awarding authority has discretion to award a grant for a repeat period of study in exceptional circumstances in line with guidelines drawn up by the Minister.
Chapter 1 of the 2025 Scheme Guidelines states: Exceptional circumstances may arise which could impact on a student completing a particular period of study or undertaking exams. It will be necessary, therefore, for an awarding authority to treat each application for repeat funding on a case by case basis.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by an appeals officer in SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, or is of the view that their situation should be considered under exceptional circumstances, an appeal may be submitted to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe (i.e. not later than 30 days after the notification of the determination of the SUSI appeals officer to the applicant). Such appeals can be made by the appellant online via www.studentgrantappeals.ie.
In terms of other supports available, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). Students can apply for the SAF to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs, medical costs and books/class materials. This Fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis and assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie.
