UCDSU welcome the news today that 50,000 students nationally have applied for their grant early in advance of the new academic term and urge remaining eligible students to apply now.

Over fifty thousand incoming first years and first-time grant applicants have applied for a grant ahead of academic year 12/13. This means that a significant number of students are applying earlier than in previous years and hence will ultimately receive the financial assistance they need earlier in the new academic term.

The application process for a Higher Education Grant has been dramatically transformed and improved this year with the establishment of a Single Awarding Agency (Student Universal Support Ireland - SUSI). Students from this year onwards will apply to SUSI rather than their local VEC or County Council. This change has brought an easier online application process, more comprehensive telephone and email support, monthly grant payments and more efficient processing of applications. Students re-applying for their existing grant continue to deal with their local awarding authority.

However, this is not all good news. The volume of students applying for financial assistance, ahead of entering college, shows the financial struggle facing students and their families in order to get a Third Level Education. Financial Grants are fundamental to Higher Education and for many they are the difference in being able to attend college or not. Thus, UCDSU will be will be campaigning over the next few months in the run up to Budget 2012 to ensure that this vital support for students and families is not again cut.

To apply for a grant a current student, CAO applicant or a student who is changing course must log onto www.grantsonline.ie and fill out the application forms online. Incoming first year students do not have to wait until they have received their Leaving Certificate results. Applications are processed online on a first-come first-served basis so it is crucial that students apply early. The deadline for applying is August 31.

John Conroy, SUSI Communications Officer said today: "A key aim of the new online student grant application process is for students to know if they qualify for a grant in advance of the commencement of the 2012/2013 academic year, in order to achieve this those students who have partially completed their application and not yet submitted same are encouraged to complete their application now." Mr Conroy hastened to add, however, that students who are registered online but haven't begun the application process "are encouraged to start their application as soon as possible to avoid delays in knowing if they are eligible for a student grant."

If a UCD Student or CAO applicant has any questions or would like help in completing their application please do not hesitate to contact the Education Officer, Shane Comer, who is happy to help. Throughout the year the Welfare Officer, Micheál Gallagher, is available to assist our students going through difficult situations, financial or otherwise.

Issued by:

Rachel Breslin

SU President