Going to College? The SUSI Grant explained

ARE you or do you have children thinking of going to college in September 2023?

Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is the national awarding authority for the Student Grant Scheme, more commonly known as SUSI grants, for eligible students attending approved full-time third level courses.

There are two types of SUSI grants available. Maintenance grants help students with their living costs. Fee grants cover tuition fees for students who do not qualify for the Free Fees Scheme.

To qualify for a SUSI grant, you must be an Irish, UK, EEA or Swiss citizen or have refugee status, subsidiary protection or have been granted leave to remain. You must also have lived in Ireland for three out of the previous five years, be increasing your NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications) level, be attending an approved course and your means must be below the threshold for your personal circumstances.

The amount of financial assistance you receive when you qualify for a SUSI grant depends on three things, your means, the distance you normally live from the college and whether or not you are considered to be a disadvantaged student.

Information Officer Caroline Rowley, based in Ennis Citizens Infor- mation Centre suggests “that students use the eligibility reckoner on the SUSI website www.susi.ie to see whether they meet the qualifying criteria for a SUSI grant.

Development Manager, Deirdre Power with Citizens Information Services in County Clare explains that in the 2023 budget, the time period to requalify for a SUSI grant for “Second Chance Students” ( these are students who previously attended but did not complete a course) has been reduced from 5 years to 3 years.

If you think you might be eligible for a SUSI grant, you can submit an online application at www.susi. ie. SUSI have been accepting new SUSI grant applications since the 13th of April and continuing students’ renewal applications since the 9th of March. The closing date for SUSI grant applications is ex- pected to be in November.

If you are refused a SUSI grant or are approved a SUSI grant at a rate that you believe is incorrect for your personal circumstance, you can submit an appeal to SUSI within 30 days of receiving the decision. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal, you have 30 days to make a further appeal to the Student Grants Appeals Board.

Information Officers in our Citizens Information Centres throughout County Clare are available to answer any queries you may have. You may phone the Citizens Information Centres for details on our Drop in and Appointment service. Visit our website www.citizensinformation.ie which is packed full of useful information.

Ennis CIC - open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, phone 0818 07 5260

Kilrush CIC - open 10am to 4pm Monday to Wednesday, phone 0818 07 5310.

Shannon CIC - open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, phone 0818 07 5370,

Citizens Information Centres are funded by the Citizens Information Board. They provide a free, impartial and confidential information, advice and advocacy services to member of the public on a broad range of public and social services.