STUDENTS ARE BEING urged to check the eligibility criteria for SUSI grant support after an increase in applications this year.
Over 7,500 more applications have been received for SUSI grant support compared to the same time last year after the criteria for applying was widened. SUSI is now on course to receive close to 110,000 grant applications this year.
Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is Ireland’s national awarding authority for further and higher education grants.
It offers funding to eligible students in approved courses at PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Ireland and in some cases, to students studying in the UK or EU.
All types of students, from school leavers to mature students returning to education can apply for funding.
The eligibility criteria was expanded in Budget 2025 and Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless is encouraging students and their families to check if they are eligible for grant support following these changes.
Recent changes made following Budget 2025 include increasing the income threshold for the special rate of grant from €26,200 to €27,400, in line with increases in social welfare rates.
There’s also been a 15% increase to all other maintenance and student contribution grant thresholds.
Undergraduate students from households whose reckonable income is under €115,000 may also now be eligible for financial support.
Reckonable income for a student grant is the gross family income from all sources.
Meanwhile, there’s also been an expansion of the eligibility criteria to allow students who have certain immigration permissions to apply for grants.
Minister Lawless said he’s “delighted to see an increase in student applications” and added that expansions to grant eligibility by raising income thresholds “offers greater support”.
“These changes are about making education more accessible and helping students pursue their educational ambitions,” said Lawless.
Last year, around 65,500 students had their Student Contribution paid in full or in part through SUSI.
In addition to the SUSI grant support, the Free Fees Initiative continues to cover tuition costs for over 140,000 students annually without means testing.
Lawless noted that SUSI will continue to take applications for support up to November and “strongly urged” students and parents to visit www.susi.ie for further information.
Students who received funding in the 2024/25 academic year and are progressing to the next year of the course must submit a renewal application.
