Grants
Grants
MAKING AN APPLICATION
Many students require financial assistance to go to University and the main source of financial help is the Maintenance grant from the government for students in full-time higher education. Students on part-time courses access or foundation courses (in higher education institutions) and short courses are not eligible to apply for a maintenance grant, along with repeat students.
The keys factors in Grant applications are Family and personal income. However there also a few other conditions can will be looked at. If you need any advice on what financial supports are available to you or if you're not sure of how to apply for them drop down to the Education Office in the Student Centre and I'll be more than happy to help.
If you are currently on a grant and are looking to renew it then you should go through your Local Awarding Authority or VEC as always. They should be in contact to confirm whether you wish to renew or not. If you're a first time applicant I'd pay close attention for the next bit!
This year is a big year in terms of the Grant. Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) has launched this year and it is the new Single Grant Awarding Authority.
Anyone who is applying for a grant for the first time or is going into the first year of a new programme is eligible to apply for the grant through SUSI.
Applications for SUSI are done online at www.grantsonline.ie.
Another useful website is www.studentfinance.ie with will provide with all the information on the financial supports available. Make sure you have the important information needed for an applicatiojn at the ready. This is all listed on the first website above.
The document that gives a detailed breakdown of all the information on the grant is available here, with the keys pages being 36, 40 & 41!! The most important tables from it are below.
If you think you're eligible for a grant, apply as soon as possible. The application process is open from July 1st until August 31st.
Below is a table that gives a detailed breakdown of the various income thresholds that can determine which grant you qualify and what the income threshold is depending on the number of children in the family;
This next table gives a breakdown of whether you qualify for the "Non-Adjacent" or the "Adjacent" rate. If your home is more than 45 km from the University then you qualify for the Non-Adjacent rate and if your home is 45km or less from University you qualify for the Adjacent rate;
If anyone has any issues be it a delayed payment of a grant from SUSI or your Local Awarding Authority/VEC, to filling out an application and finding out your threshold please contact me at education.ucdsu.ie or 01-716-3111
Best of luck guys!
Shane
